Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara hailed his side’s balanced display after they defeated Punjab Kings in an IPL 2026 match on Tuesday night, pointing to strong contributions from both departments as RR completed the chase and tightened their position in the points table.
Key takeaways
- Kumar Sangakkara credited RR’s batting and bowling together for the win over Punjab Kings.
- The coach admitted RR were a touch off in their early bowling plans but said the team regrouped effectively.
- Sangakkara singled out the impact substitute Shubham Dubey for staying mentally sharp when his role was uncertain.
- Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey’s fifth-wicket partnership finished the chase with four balls to spare.
- Punjab Kings remained top in the standings despite the defeat, while Rajasthan Royals climbed to third.
Sangakkara on RR’s fightback and bowling adjustment
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Sangakkara praised RR’s response after a slow start with the ball. He said the early phase did not run exactly to plan, yet the team fought back into the contest, with the two spinners playing a decisive role alongside Jofra again. He also mentioned support from Nandre and Brijesh, describing their collective impact as exceptional during the turnaround.
While acknowledging that fans and media often focus on individual brilliance, Sangakkara stressed that the strength of the squad extends across the batting group. He highlighted the quality of multiple players in the side—Vaibhav, Dhruv, Yash, Riyan, Donovan Ferreira, Dubey, Jadeja, and Shanaka—adding that when anyone produces something special, it energises the team.
Impact sub Dubey, Ferreira and Riyan’s role in momentum
Sangakkara also reserved specific praise for Shubham Dubey, who came into the game as an impact substitute. He described it as one of the hardest assignments in T20 cricket because the player does not know for certain whether they will be called upon, but said Dubey handled the mental pressure exceptionally well and delivered in a difficult situation.
He further pointed to Donovan Ferreira’s contribution and called Riyan Parag’s cameo a crucial swing moment in the chase. According to Sangakkara, the short innings from Riyan was exactly what RR needed to restore momentum at the right time, and he reiterated that the result reflected a collective effort rather than one isolated performance.
On the challenge of going up against a top-ranked opponent, Sangakkara said RR’s approach was centred on preparation and execution, not on the opposition’s place in the table. He added that when planning a match, the focus is on what the team must do to succeed, rather than on external standings.
He also highlighted the progress of younger players, with Brijesh receiving special mention for his composure despite limited experience. Sangakkara said that for a player who has not played first-class cricket, Brijesh’s awareness has been outstanding, and that clarity under pressure is critical—adding that the youngster will only improve from here.
Punjab Kings set 223/4; RR chase with four balls to spare
Batting first, Punjab Kings posted 222/4. Marcus Stoinis provided one of the key knocks, finishing unbeaten on 62 off 22 balls, striking four boundaries and clearing the ropes six times. Prabhsimran Singh also contributed with a half-century, scoring 59 off 44 balls, including six fours and a six.
In response, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck 43 off 16 deliveries with three fours and five maximums, while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 51 off 27 balls, featuring seven fours and a six. The pair began the chase with a 51-run partnership, setting the tone before RR needed additional acceleration.
The breakthrough came with the next phase, but RR found stability through the fifth-wicket stand. Donovan Ferreira carried the innings forward, remaining not out on 52 off 26 balls with six fours and three sixes, while Shubham Dubey supported him with 31 not out off 12 balls, including three fours and two sixes. That 77-run partnership brought the chase under control and sealed victory with four balls remaining.
Points update: PBKS top, RR move to third
Despite the loss, Punjab Kings stayed at the top of the table with 13 points after recording six wins, a no result, and one defeat. Rajasthan Royals rose to third place after improving their record to six wins and three losses, ending on 12 points.
