IPL 2021 | Rahul and Hooda lift Punjab Kings above phenomenal Samson’s reach

Captain’s 91 and No. 4 batsman’s 28-ball 64 help Punjab set a target of 222; Rajasthan Royals skipper responds with his third IPL hundred but his side loses by four runs

Is there something in a name? Punjab Kings could well be thinking there is — unlike William Shakespeare — after its four-run victory over Rajasthan Royals on Monday night. The team that had been known as Kings XI Punjab till last season must be pleased with its winning start to its campaign in IPL 14. It would be unfair to skipper K.L. Rahul (91, 50b, 7x4, 5x6) and Deepak Hooda (64, 28b, 4x4, 6x6) though to credit Punjab's victory merely to a change in nomenclature. The gentle classicism of Rahul combined beautifully with the brutal hitting from Hooda, as the duo helped Punjab post 221 for six after being put in.