Match overview
Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 5 runs at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on 5 April 2023 in the IPL. Batting first, Punjab posted 197/5. A total built on a blistering powerplay of 63 runs without loss and sustained middle-overs pressure that yielded 89 runs for two wickets. Rajasthan Royals made a decent fist of the chase but lost three wickets inside the first six overs for 57 runs, and that early damage proved impossible to fully repair. They finished on 192/7, falling 5 runs short. NT Ellis, who returned 4/30 from his four overs, was named Player of the Match.
The result went against the grain of the head-to-head record. Rajasthan Royals lead the all-time series between these sides 17 wins to 12 across 30 IPL meetings, so Punjab's victory here was a welcome change of fortunes for their supporters. Both sides had won their previous IPL outing in 2023 coming into this game, which gave the fixture a competitive edge from the outset.
Rajasthan's death-overs batting of 68 runs for just one wicket showed real character and brought them close. But Punjab's bowlers, led by Ellis, managed the pressure well enough to see it through.
Venue and conditions
Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati has hosted 25 T20 matches, with teams averaging 188 in the first innings and 164 in the second. The gap between those two averages is significant. It points to a surface that offers more to bowlers as the match progresses, with moisture and wear making the second innings harder to bat on. Teams win chasing here only 46 per cent of the time, so choosing to bat first carries a structural advantage.
The powerplay average at the ground is 47 runs, which makes Punjab Kings' 63 without loss all the more impressive. Their openers exploited the fielding restrictions well above the norm. The death-overs average at Barsapara is 39 runs, meaning Rajasthan's 68 in the final phase of their chase was an exceptional effort, even if it wasn't enough. Toss-winning sides choose to bowl first 73 per cent of the time here, so Rajasthan's decision to field after winning the toss was entirely orthodox.
How to watch
IPL matches are broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Cricket. Streaming is available via Sky Go for existing subscribers and through a NOW TV day or month pass for those without a Sky subscription. UK start times for IPL matches vary by slot: afternoon games in India typically kick off at around 15:30 UK time, whilst evening fixtures (the more common slot) usually start between 14:30 and 15:00 UK time. Check the Sky Sports schedule for confirmed times ahead of each match day.
Recent form
Punjab Kings arrived at this fixture having beaten Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous 2023 IPL outing. Looking back further into 2022, their form was mixed: wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore were offset by defeats to Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. On balance, a team capable of posting 197 on a surface like Barsapara was clearly finding its rhythm with the bat.
Rajasthan Royals came in off a 2023 win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their 2022 record was similarly inconsistent, alternating between wins over Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings and losses to Gujarat Titans on two occasions. A team that can post 192/7 chasing 198 on a difficult second-innings surface is not short of batting resources. The next meetings between these two sides will be keenly watched given how fine the margins have been across their recent encounters.
