Nathan Ellis. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) were the second team to get eliminated from the playoffs race in the ongoing IPL 2024. They lost six out of their seven home games, which played a massive part in their early elimination. Co-owner Preity Zinta too was disappointed with their performance at home turfs as she mentioned that without consistently winning at home, they cannot challenge for the title.
On the contrary, Punjab have a brilliant away record, winning four out of their six matches. In their last game against Rajasthan Royals, the Sam Curran-led side once again produced a brilliant performance and won the match by five wickets. The skipper led by example while Rahul Chahar and Harshal Patel were once again the stars with the ball.
Speaking to the press after the win, Australia international Nathan Ellis noted the importance of the match. He mentioned that all the players played for their pride against Rajasthan, especially after their consistent home defeats. The 29-year-old added that Punjab players adapted to the conditions better and he also termed it to be a complete performance.
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“We were playing for pride today and trying to put in the best performance we can. In the field, and with the ball today, collectively as a group, it was one of our better performances. We adapted to the conditions, and we bowled in partnerships. It was a complete performance,” Ellis said.
Sam Curran’s half-century got the job done for PBKS
Chasing 145 runs, Punjab were in a state of bother after losing the wickets of Prabhsimran Singh, Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw. However, Sam Curran stood tall and made 63* runs off 41 balls and got the job done for Punjab. Ellis reflected that there was no crisis or panic in the dressing room as they were sure that one 50-run partnership would be enough to pick up a win.
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“There was no crisis or panic. We always knew we just needed one 50-run partnership and the game was over. Sam and Jitesh Sharma did that really well. Sam, specifically, gives himself time and he played a really perfect knock today. A lot of credit goes to Jitesh. He set up shop, got himself in, and got some needed runs for us. His innings got us over the line as much as Sam’s did,” he said.