Punjab Kings have started the IPL 2023 season on a high note proving everyone's expectations, claims and speculations wrong. The team captained by Shikhar Dhawan defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in their very first match. After this victory, Rajasthan Royals had a big challenge in front of Punjab, against whom they had won only once in the last 5 matches. Nevertheless, Punjab successfully overcame this challenge. The star of his success became that player, whose career started late but in a tremendous way.
ICYMI - Nathan Ellis grabs a stunner to get the in form batter, Jos Buttler.
Watch it here #TATAIPL #RRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/rbt0CJRyLe — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2023
This match was played against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Wednesday 5th April. Punjab batted first and scored 197 runs. Although this score is enough, in Guwahati and in front of Rajasthan's batting, it was considered a little less. Punjab's bowling also looked weak in front of batsmen like Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, and Shimron Hetmyer.
The game changed in 4 overs
Despite this, Punjab won in the last over. Success was achieved by only 5 runs but the victory came on his part. The reason for this was right-arm fast bowler Nathan Ellis. The beginning of Rajasthan was spoiled by Arshdeep Singh in his two overs only. Still, he had dashing batsmen like Captain Samson and Butler who started collecting boundaries.
Alice, who came in the fifth over, started changing the game from there. He himself caught Butler on the fourth ball. After this, when Sanju Samson was proving to be dangerous, Alice also got rid of him in his second over. In his third over, Ellis walked Riyan Parag and Devdutt Padikkal.
For his stunning show with the ball, Nathan Ellis is adjudged Player of the Match as @PunjabKingsIPL win by 5 runs.
Scorecard - https://t.co/Cmk3rElYKu #TATAIPL #RRvPBKS #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/WA0Bmwlbsx — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2023
Before this match, Alice did not get many opportunities in IPL but after this performance, she confirmed her place. Along with this, the decision to give priority to veteran bowlers like Kagiso Rabada was also justified. This is the third season of Nathan Ellis in IPL. He was bought by Punjab in the mega auction for Rs 75 lakh.
Hattrick in T20 debut
By the way, Alice has shown her ability before. The Australian pacer made his T20 debut in 2021 at the age of 26. In that match against Bangladesh, Ellis created history by taking a hat-trick in the last over. Only last month, Alice made Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja their victims in the second ODI against India. Ellis has so far taken 15 wickets in 5 T20 matches for Australia.
