In a last-over thriller, Punjab Kings batsmen could not keep their composure as they gifted the match on a golden platter to Rajasthan Royals in their first match of the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The Punjab-based franchise lost the match by 2 runs at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.

This is how the last 3 overs went for Punjab Kings:

-Needed 18 runs off 18 balls

-Needed 10 runs off 15 balls

-Needed 8 runs of 12 balls

-Needed 4 runs off 6 balls

-Needed 3 runs from 3 balls

-Lost by 2 runs

A dejected KL Rahul sat in the dressing room as his team choked in the last over.

In the post-match presentation, though KL Rahul seemed upset, he pointed out some of the positives, too.

“It’s a tough one to swallow. We have been a team that has experienced games like these before. We need to see how we can handle pressure better. Trying to finish in the 18th overs sometimes you go too hard and lose your way and let the opponents in. We haven’t learnt from previous mistakes,” KL Rahul said.

“We will now try to come back stronger and win the next five games. We pulled things back quite nicely with the ball, kept taking wickets, which is very crucial in this format,” the PBKS captain added.

Pointing out the positives, the Bangalore batsman said that Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram and him getting runs was important for the team.

Chasing 185 in 20 overs, the Punjab-based franchise were off to a solid start as they looked primed to gun down a daunting total.

Leading from the front, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal stitched together a mammoth 120-run partnership. While Rahul scored 49 off 33 balls, Mayank Agarwal scored 67 off 43 balls.

During his stay in the middle, Rahul hit four boundaries and two sixes and Mayank hit seven boundaries and two sixes.

However, after the opener departed, it was all downhill for the Rahul-led team.

Closest margin of defeat for PBKS (by runs)

1 vs RCB Mohali 2016

2 vs KKR Abu Dhabi 2020

2 vs RR Dubai 2021*