LSG vs PBKS, 42nd Match at Pune, IPL, Apr 29 2022 - Match Result

11.15 pm Punjab Kings chase started off on course before the wicket of Livingstone derailed everything.

Punjab captain Mayank Agarwal: "I think we just kept losing wickets. We had batsmen who were set but we kept getting out. That's where we lost the game, so many soft dismissals for us. Obviously it's disappointing. We need to face the truth that we didn't bat well today. It should have been chased down but we were below par with bat. The new ball was doing a bit. There was good bounce and it was seaming a bit. So the new ball was crucial but after that it did get a lot better to bat on. I think the one odd ball was stopping and turning a bit. I think we're bowling exceedingly well. As a bowling unit, we're doing a lot of things right. Arshdeep has stepped up, even Rahul got wickets today, KG being the big guy has stepped up and gotten us important wickets."

LSG keeper Quinton de Kock: "I thought we didn't quite have the total we wanted to but the guys bowled really well and somehow our bowlers got it done for us tonight. We have a lot to thank for them. They bowled really well and it's great to have that sort of bowling unit at the moment. A couple of bombs there by Mohsin at the end there, it was great to see but to be honest it's not really his job to be doing that. It's us, the top order's job, to do that. But for him to still come out and do that, I don't want to put that responsibility on him but it happened and he came through. So congrats to him and he had a great game. I'm at ease with my game at the moment. We play so much, just got to keep soldiering on every game you play. Whether you play well or badly, you just have to keep soldiering on and that's what I'm focusing on at the moment, just taking it game by game."

LSG captain KL Rahul: "I was fuming after the first innings because it was stupid cricket with the bat, the experienced guys in the team. It does happen but we did talk about it at the timeout that it's a tricky pitch but 160 is something we can put on the board. But a couple of bad shots and the runout didn't help. I was unhappy with that middle phase but this game has been completely about the bowlers. The way they scored those crucial 25-30 runs at the back end and then the way they bowled throughout the 20 overs was brilliant. They executed their plans to perfection and they held their nerve. They were brave with the bat and ball, so really happy with the way we played as a team but batting unit I think we need to go back and get better. [Haltime chat] We felt we did well to get to 60 in nine overs and paced it really well then after that timeout, they got going and were hitting boundaries. It was a tricky pitch and we knew it was not a 180-190 wicket. If one of the top 3 had continued and gotten a 70 or 80, we probably would have got 10 or 15 runs extra, but that didn't happen and we lost four or five wickets in the space of three or four overs and that pushed us back a little bit. But the way we responded with the ball was phenomenal. [Krunal's spell] He's been brilliant throughout the tournament and he's someone who's... he's always been an economical bowler every other IPL season but I think this season he's really worked on his bowling and is getting us those crucial wickets in the middle which is what teams need. You need to take wickets in the middle so you can put pressure on the batters. Yes, bowling economically is also important but if we're getting two or three wickets in the middle overs, that really puts pressure on the opposition and that is what he's been doing brilliantly. Bishnoi keeps getting those crucial wickets again and he is an aggressive bowler. We don't mind him tossing the ball up or trying to look for wicket and getting hit for sixes. That's fine, that's okay with us. Spinners have been brilliant but also the fast bowlers have been exceptional the last two or three games. The way they have bowled at the death, the way they have started in the Powerplay has been really really good and that will give us a lot of confidence as a team."

Krunal Pandya has been named Player of the Match for his 2 for 11: "Throughout the tournament I've been bowling well. No one knows from the last seven or eight months I've been working on my bowling, trying to get tall. I just want to mention Rahul Sanghvi, who has been a big big help for me. I had a chat with him seven or eight months back and told him I wanted to develop skills. I felt I was always good with my mindset but if I just developed my skills, getting up and over get those things added in my bowling, it would really help. So the results everyone can see, but the effort has been from the last eight months. I have been playing a lot of shorter formats and sometimes you don't realize what is happening. I just realized that I was getting too long and my stride was too big and at the end of the delivery I had to fire the ball in. I realized that if I get tall, I have always varied my pace but if I am able to impart more spin and grip the ball, that will create a lot of doubt with the batter. So I had a word with Rahul Sanghvi and I took his help. He was kind enough to help me and I'm so happy with the way it's coming out. [On his batting] Honestly, disappointed not contributing because batting is very close to my heart. But my focus has always been accepting mistake and if I don't do it right, I'll accept it because that's the only way you can get better. I accept some of the shots I have played, but in a long tournament ahead, I know I'll contribute with the bat going forward because I know I'm batting well now."

That's it for tonight's live coverage. Come back tomorrow for more IPL action. On behalf of my tag-team commentary partner Ekanth Prakash, I'm Peter Della Penna. Take care!

21 off four, still possible...

31 needed off the last over. Dhawan on strike.

Sook: "Contrary to the pre-tournament speculation that 10 teams will dilute the quality of the games/performances, the so-called fringe players are shining because they are now getting chances as opposed to being benched or hidden down the order. The 10-team tournament showcases the depth and breadth of talent in world cricket...more fun to watch "

Srini: "Refreshing to see sharp fielding in both innings of this match. Safe catching, direct hits." Definitely impressive, and consistent. Maybe the Baltimore Orioles players can take a few lessons from Krunal and Badoni.

Jrm: "Punjab looked the strongest batting line before the start of this session, now it looks the weakest among any other"

Vijay: ""Very dreary atmosphere in the ground at the moment."Are you sure it doesn't feel like a Baltimore Orioles games at the end of the season??" Or even at the start of the season. They just got swept in a four-game series by the Yankees and in the last game of the series, the Orioles committed 5 errors, and arguably the official scorer should have marked them with a few more defensive miscues that were generously scored as hits. Very yucky defense on a last place team. My cricket loving pal and Baltimore native Nate Hays must be frustrated.