Sanju Samson's side now need Mumbai Indians to be beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad and for Royal Challengers Bangalore to lose by at least six runs against Gujarat Titans in the final fixture of the group stage
Dharamsala: Punjab Kings 187-5, Rajasthan Royals 189-6 - Rajasthan Royals win by four wickets
Rajasthan Royals kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the playoff phase of the Indian Premier League after chasing down 188 to beat Punjab Kings.
Sanju Samson's side now need Mumbai Indians to be beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad and for Royal Challengers Bangalore to lose by at least six runs against Gujarat Titans in the final fixture of the group stage.
Rajasthan won despite a fifth duck of the tournament for talisman Jos Buttler, who was trapped in front by Kagiso Rabada.
But that early blow wasn't enough to stop Royals in their tracks; Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal both made half centuries before falling immediately after reaching those landmarks, while Samson fell for just two.
But Shimron Hetmyer played an outstanding hand, hitting three sixes and four fours in his 28-ball 46, which did the bulk of the damage as Punjab's bowlers – not for the first time in the last two months – struggled to rein in an opposition batting line-up.
Shimron Hetmyer was key for Rajasthan (Money Sharma/AFP via Getty Images)
All of Rabada, Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh conceded at least 10 runs per over, with Riyan Parag's quickfire 20 helping to take Rajasthan close. It was left to Dhruv Jurel to hit the fourth ball of the last over for six to complete a crucial victory.
Kings had earlier given themselves a realistic chance of victory despite Liam Livingstone falling for nine, unable to repeat his heroics of two days previous. But Curran finished unbeaten on 49, with Jitesh Sharma making 44 and Shahrukh Khan hitting four fours and two sixes in his 41 not out, which closed out the innings for Shikhar Dhawan's side.
But that total proved insufficient as Royals dragged themselves over the line, now turning their attention to other results, with their future in this year's IPL out of their hands.