IPL 2018: Match 40, RR vs KXIP: Royals keep their season alive with a win against Punjab, Rahul finishes unbeaten on 95

Rajasthan Royals won the match by 15 runs.

KL Rahul finished unbeaten on 95. (IANS)

Succumbing to a defeat in their previous encounter against KXIP in their previous match, Rajasthan Royals hosted them in a crucial encounter in Jaipur. 

Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bat. Triggered by Jos Buttler's 82 off 58 balls, Rajasthan Royals posted 158 in their 20 overs. Rahane was dismissed early in the Rajasthan innings and then a 53 run stand with Sanju Samson (22) the home side took full toll of the first 10 overs. 

The Rajasthan slide started in the 17th over with Mujeeb dismissing Buttler. Andrew Tye then joined the party and cleaned up the Rajasthan tail by picking up four wickets in his spell for just 34 runs. Ben Stokes yet again failed to deliver for Rajasthan scoring just 14 runs before getting run out, unfortunately.

Set to chase 159 to win, KXIP lost the plot in the powerplay itself. They lost three early wickets and allowed Rajasthan to get a grip in the second innings as well. In a surprise move skipper Ashwin promoted himself up in the batting order only to be dismissed for a duck. The middle order of Karun Nair (3), Akshdeep Nath (9) Manoj Tiwary (9) and Axar Patel (9) hardly contributed to the scorecard in the middle overs. KL Rahul was the only one who batted with some substance for the Kings. With 32 needed from the final over, Unadkat dismissed Stoinis (11) to slump the Kings further. Kings XI finally lost the game by 15 runs as KL Rahul finished at 95 from 70 balls. Royals thus keep their hopes alive after a much-needed win at home. They now stand at 8 points are at sixth in the points table. 

Krishnappa Gowtham was the key Rajasthan bowler in the game who took 2 for 12 from his 3 overs. He accounted for Gayle and Ashwin's wickets in the middle overs from where the Kings never really recovered.

Brief Scores

Rajasthan Royals 158 for 7 (Buttler 82, Tye 4/32) won against Kings XI Punjab (Rahul 95*, Gowttham 2 for 12) by 15 runs. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 08 May, 2018

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