See Pics: As it happened in Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab match in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019.
Kings XI Punjab began their IPL journey on a successful note as they defeated Rajasthan Royals by 14 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday.
Chasing a target of 185, Rajasthan got off to a brisk start as openers Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler built a solid 78-run partnership, which saw Buttler bringing his half-century off 29 balls.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Rahane for 27. However, Rajasthan did not let the dismissal affect their momentum as Buttler along with Sanju Samson shrugged off the pressure with their 30-run stand.
Ashwin got a major breakthrough as he mankaded Buttler (69). On replays, the batsman was clearly out of the crease and was given out.
The game seemed much in favour of Rajasthan as Steve Smith and Samson kept ticking the scoreboard before Smith (20) gave a simple catch to KL Rahul. The tide turned soon after Samson's dismissal for 30 and Rajasthan faced lusty blows and unfortunately ended their chase on 170 for the loss of nine.
Given the opportunity to set a target, Punjab were powered to 184/4 by scintillating innings from Chris Gayle. The left-handed batsman smashed eight boundaries and four sixes in his 47-ball 79. The Universe Boss registered his 4000 IPL runs, becoming the fastest to reach the feat. Gayle found support in Sarfaraz Khan and the Punjab batsmen stitched together an 84-run stand, which also saw Gayle completing his half-century off 33 balls.
RR vs KXIP: The story of the match in pictures
Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and continued the trend of bowling first in this IPL so far.
Here's how it all unfolded:
1. RR vs KXIP: Rajasthan won the toss
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Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Jos Buttler(w), Steven Smith, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Krishnappa Gowtham, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Dhawal Kulkarni
Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul(w), Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ankit Rajpoot
(Image: PTI)
2. KL Rahul out early
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KL Rahul started with a boundary but did not last long. He was dismissed as Jos Buttler took a good diving one-handed catch behind the wicket off Dhawal Kulkarni.
(Image: Twitter @IPL)
3. Sedate start by Gayle and Mayank
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Rajasthan Royals did really well to restrict Gayle and Agarwal in the powerplay. Kings XI Punjab finally started to raise the tempo as they reached their 50 in the 8th over.
(Image: AFP)
4. Mayank Agarwal falls
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Mayank Agarwal fell to a great catch by Dhawal Kulkarni at the boundary. K Gowtham got the wicket.
(Image: AFP)
5. Gayle-storm begins
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Chris Gayle soon found his groove as he hit Jaydev Unadkat for three consecutive fours and then one six to bring up his half-century. Punjab reached 105/2 after 13 overs.
(Image: AFP)
6. Gayle and Sarfraz take Punjab ahead
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Chris Gayle and Sarfaraz Khan added 84 runs off just 42 balls for the third wicket. Gayle completed his 4000 IPL runs during his innings. (Image: PTI)
7. Chris Gayle made 79
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Gayle departed after scoring 79 off 47 balls. He was dismissed trying to hit Ben Stokes for a big win. It looked like sailing over for a six but Rahul Tripathi took a good catch to send him back.
(Image: AFP)
8. Punjab post 188-4
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Sarfaraz Khan finished with 46 not out as Kings XI Punjab posted 188/4 in their 20 overs.
(Image: AFP)
9. Good start by Rajasthan
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Rajasthan got off to a brisk start as openers Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler built a solid 78-run partnership, which saw Buttler bringing his half-century off 29 balls.
(Image: AFP)
10. Rahane falls for 27
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Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Rahane for 27.
(Image: AFP)
11. Buttler going strong
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However, Rajasthan did not let the dismissal affect their momentum as Buttler along with Sanju Samson shrugged off the pressure with their 30-run stand.
(Image: AFP)
12. Ashwin mankads Buttler
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Ashwin got a major breakthrough as he mankaded Buttler (69). On replays, the batsman was clearly out of the crease and was given out.
(Image: AFP)
13. Smith, Samson fall in the same over
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The game seemed much in favour of Rajasthan as Steve Smith and Samson kept ticking the scoreboard before Smith (20) was caught superbly by KL Rahul. Sanju Samson fell in the same over.
(Image: AFP)
14. Punjab win by 14 runs
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The tide turned soon and Rajasthan, unfortunately, ended their chase on 170 for the loss of nine. Punjab won the match by 14 runs.
(Image: AFP)
