| 0.0 : Game 50 of the Indian T20 League and it is a vital, vital clash with a lot at stake. A game where Rajasthan can’t afford a slip-up as a loss means, they would be out. A win for Punjab means, their fate will more or less be in their own hands but a loss will see them relying on the results of the other teams. Both head into this fixture on the back of a win. Punjab though are flying high as they have won 5 in a row. Rajasthan also will be high on confidence after beating the table-toppers, M |
| Danny Morrison and Daren Ganga doing the pitch report. The latter says this pitch is still good for batting but the number of sixes hit at this venue compared to the others is less so you need to pick which ball to hit up in the air and which to hit along the ground carefully. Morrison ends by saying there is a lovely covering of grass on the wicket and it should be a good wicket. |
| Toss - Rajasthan elect to bowl! |
| Rajasthan skipper, Steven Smith, says he is not sure about the dew, it comes in some games but it does not in some and hence, he wants to bowl. States it has been an up and down season for them and they have not played their best game but he hopes they can do it here. Informs they have Aaron in the XI who brings more pace and he hopes he can add something to their Powerplay. |
| Punjab skipper, KL Rahul, says they wanted to bowl first as well but it looks a good wicket and they want to put up a decent target on the board and then later defend it. States they batted better early on but now the bowling is coming good, everything is probably going their way and it has been a complete team effort. He is hoping for the same to continue. Mentions they have learnt a thing or two playing here, they have spoken about it and they want to enjoy the game. Informs they are playing t |
| Rajsthan (Playing XI) - Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi. |
| Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK/C), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh. |
| All in readiness! The Rajasthan huddle is visible with Steven Smith being the centre of attraction. KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh will open the batting for Punjab as they walk out. |
| All in readiness! The Rajasthan huddle is visible with Steven Smith being the centre of attraction. KL Rahul and Mandeep Singh to open for Punjab as they walk out to the middle. No prizes for guessing, it's Jofra Archer getting ready to serve the first over. Let's play. |
| 0.1 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Starts off with a very full one, almost a yorker on off. Rahul looks to jam it out towards the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. Mandeep wants a run but is sent back. |
| 0.2 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Lovely shot but for no runs! Fuller and around off, Rahul drives it nicely but to covers. |
| 0.3 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Back of a length and on middle, Rahul stays back and defends it onto the ground. |
| 0.4 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Shortish and around off, Rahul pushes it towards cover. |
| 0.5 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Punjab and Rahul are underway! Length and around off, this is played towards point for one. |
| 0.6 : Jofra Archer to Mandeep Singh, OUT! TAKEN! The two Englishmen combine to get rid of Mandeep Singh who bags a golden duck! Top start for Rajasthan and that is a snorter from Archer. It is short and on the body, not a ball you want to be facing first up. Mandeep Singh looks to fend at it awkwardly. It goes off the gloves and lobs towards the point region. Stokes runs in, dives forward and takes it brilliantly. Superb first over by Archer! |
| 1.1 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, Two wides! Looks to bowl a slower one first up. It comes out wrong as it is down the leg side. Rahul looks to flick but misses. Samson fails to collect it cleanly as it bounces in front of him. A single taken. |
| 0.6 : Chris Gayle walks out to bat! Varun Aaron to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Down the leg side again but this is closer to the pads. Gayle looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and goes to Samson. |
| 1.2 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Outside off and on a length. It is left alone. |
| 1.3 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Shorter and around off, Gayle guides it to point. |
| 1.4 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, BEATEN! Really well bowled! This is on a length and around off, shapes away a touch. Gayle is beaten as he tries to defend. |
| 1.5 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Straight to the fielder! Gayle makes room and also comes down the track. It is on the pads, he whips it but straight to square leg. One more dot. |
| 1.6 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, WIDE! Way too short and on middle. Gayle lets it be. Samson does well to get a strong hand at it. It falls right next to him. Will the extra ball cost Rajasthan? |
| Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Another extra ball! This one too is down the leg side. Wided. |
| Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, FOUR! It does cost Aaron eventually! The last ball spoils the over somewhat! A fortunate boundary but Gayle won't mind. He is off the mark. Gayle makes room and Aaron follows him with a short one. Gayle looks to pull but gets an inside edge. It goes past the keeper and down to the fine leg fence. |
| 2.1 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Back of a length and on middle, defended nicely. |
| Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, FOUR! Just over! 600 runs for Rahul in this Indian T20 League and he brings it up in style. It is short and wide outside off. The width is on offer and Rahul cashes in. He cuts it over the leaping point fielder and a boundary results. |
| 2.3 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Corrects his line and bowls it on off, defended. |
| 2.4 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Back of a length and on off, Rahul guides it towards point. |
| 2.5 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one. Now time for the contest everybody wants to watch, Archer against Gayle. He has one ball, will he go short and on the body? |
| 2.6 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, Archer does go short but it is outside off. Gayle evades it nicely. Just 5 from the over and it's been a very slow beginning from the usually high-flying Punjab team! |
| 3.1 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, Fuller and outside off, Rahul looks to drive it through covers but it goes off the inner half towards mid off. |
| 3.2 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, Rahul has started cautiously till now. It is shorter and outside off, Rahul guides it down to third man for one. |
| 3.3 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Wide! Down the leg side again from Aaron. It is wide. Rajasthan have bowled well so far and giving extras is the only blemish. |
| Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, SIX! That though is just wide from the fielder at deep square leg. First biggie for Gayle. It is short and on the body. Not where Gayle likes it. He still goes for the pull but does not time it really well. It goes towards the deep square leg fence. The fielder there runs to his left but it is wide of him and sails over. |
| 3.5 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, On middle, worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 3.6 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, A dot to end an action-packed over. It could have been a successful one for Rajasthan but it turns out to be a good one for Punjab. On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. 11 from the over along with a dropped catch to grant life to Gayle. |
| 4.1 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, Outside off, Gayle swings at it away from the body. He is beaten. |
| 0.0 : Karthik Tyagi is on! |
| 4.2 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, FOUR! Thrashed! Fuller and outside off, right in the slot. It is powered over the mid off fielder and a boundary results. |
| 4.3 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, SIX! Muscled! That dropped catch already seems to be a costly one. It is shorter and on middle, Gayle stands tall and powers it over the mid-wicket fence. If you are going to bowl short to Gayle, need to get it up till the chest height or he will smack it. 10 from the first three balls. |
| 4.4 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, FOUR! TIMED! Gayle moves around in his crease and Tyagi bowls it full and on middle. Gayle just puts bat to ball and creams it through covers. Sheer timing. 14 now from the over with two balls to go. |
| 4.5 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, A dot! A good comeback! Short and on the body, just where Gayle does not like it. He ducks under it. |
| 4.6 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, Another dot to end! Fuller and on middle, it is hit to mid on. Still 14 from the over. |
| 5.1 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, Rahul now looks to get into the act. He lofts this with the angle over mid-wicket. Not off the middle but enough to get two. |
| 5.2 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, SIX! That is massive! Huge! Rahul does join the act now. Slightly short and he picks the length early. He tonks it over the square leg fence for a biggie. |
| 5.3 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, Well bowled! Bowls a slower one, it is a dipping yorker on off. Rahul jams it out towards mid off. |
| 5.4 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, Nicely clipped! Fuller and on the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for two. |
| 5.5 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, On middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket. Rahul wanted a run but Gayle is not interested. |
| 5.6 : Varun Aaron to KL Rahul, FOUR! Whipped away with all the class in the world! This is fuller and on middle, Rahul uses his wrists and creams it through mid-wicket to end the Powerplay with a boundary. So it turns out to be a brilliant one for Punjab eventually after a troubled beginning. They started quietly after losing Mandeep in the first over but have finished with 53 runs on the board. |
| Shreyas Gopal is on! |
| 6.1 : Shreyas Gopal to Chris Gayle, The googly to begin with on middle, it is defended. |
| 6.2 : Shreyas Gopal to Chris Gayle, On the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 6.3 : Shreyas Gopal to KL Rahul, Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one. It stayed a touch low. |
| 6.4 : Shreyas Gopal to Chris Gayle, SIX! That is gone! If you pitch it slightly fuller to Gayle, he will make you pay. Gopal does that mistake. The slog sweep is out and it goes over the mid-wicket fence. |
| 6.5 : Shreyas Gopal to Chris Gayle, Shorter and around off, it is a hit-me ball. Very short. Gayle drags it down to long on for one. |
| 6.6 : Shreyas Gopal to KL Rahul, A single to end another good over for Punjab! On off, it is eased through covers for one. |
| 7.1 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, Angled into the pads, this is worked down towards fine leg for one. |
| 7.2 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, FOUR! The boundaries are flowing off Gayle's bat! It is a good slower one from Stokes. Gayle pushes at it but does so inside the line. It goes off the outside edge past the keeper. With the third man in, that is always going to be a boundary. |
| 0.0 : Drinks break. Time for Rajasthan to get together and rethink their strategies. Dropping Gayle is costing them already and the current partnership has started to look dangerous. This upcoming middle phase is going to be critical. Let's see how the spinners perform on this surface. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes is getting ready to bowl after the break. |
| 7.3 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Shorter and on middle, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, One more single! Fuller and on middle, it is another slower one. Gayle eases it down to long on for one. |
| 7.5 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, A slower one again and outside off, Gayle pushes at it away from his body. He gets an inside edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper. |
| 7.6 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, A single to end! So despite going for a boundary, just the 8 from it. Shorter and around off, it is slapped down to long off for one. |
| Rahul Tewatia is on! |
| 8.1 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Outside off, Gayle cuts but to point. |
| 8.2 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Outside off, left alone. |
| 8.3 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Shorter and outside off, it is slapped through covers for one. |
| 8.4 : Rahul Tewatia to KL Rahul, One more single as this is eased through covers. |
| 8.5 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Another dot! Third in the over. Shorter and outside off, Gayle cuts it to point. |
| 8.6 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, One more dot and end of a tremendous over from Rahul. Sticks to his plan of bowling it outside off. This one stays a little low. Gayle tries to cut but misses. |
| 9.1 : Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, On middle and fuller, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 9.2 : Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, SIX! Effortless! KL is so good to watch. It's on a length close to off, Rahul lines himself, opens his body and lofts it with a lot of nonchalance over wide long off. |
| 9.3 : Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, Slightly off the outer half this time! Attempts for a drive through the line but ends up slicing it towards third man. Crosses for one. |
| 9.4 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, That is defended solidly off the front foot by Gayle. |
| 9.5 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, Tyagi nails his yorker around leg, Gayle digs it out on the leg side. The ball rolls in the gap and he picks up a single. |
| 9.6 : Kartik Tyagi to KL Rahul, Shortish and on middle, pulled across the line but not in the gap. |
| 10.1 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Fuller and on off, this is hit down to long off for one. |
| 10.2 : Rahul Tewatia to KL Rahul, Very full and on off, it is driven through covers for one. |
| 10.3 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, SIX! Fifty for Gayle! What a difference the Universe Boss has made after coming into the side. Third fifty for him and that dropped chance is really costing Rajasthan. This is in his arc. It is fuller and on middle. Gayle slog sweeps it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. |
| 10.4 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Shorter and outside off, Gayle pushes it to covers. |
| 10.5 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Dropped? Doesn't reach. This twas a very tough chance. Probably Stokes who was running towards the ball should have taken it. This is tossed up outside off. Gayle looks to go over the bowler's head but ends up slicing it towards mid on. Tewatia runs behind towards the ball and Stokes runs in from long on. The latter bails out. Tewatia dives but fails to hang on to it. Stokes probably backed off as Tewatia had his eyes on the ball and just to avoid the colli |
| 10.6 : Rahul Tewatia to KL Rahul, A single to end as this is pushed down to long on. 10 from the over. |
| 3.4 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, DROPPED! It was tough but should have been taken at this level! It is shorter and on middle, Gayle looks to pull it again but this time does not get on top of the bounce. It goes high up in the air towards deep square leg. It has gone really, really high. Parag in the deep goes for it and another fielder from short fine leg runs after it. In the end, it is the fielder in the deep who tries to take it but spills it. Two taken. This could prove very costly. |
| 11.1 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, Fuller and on middle, it is eased down to long off for one. |
| 11.2 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Shorter again and on middle, Gayle mistimes his pull down to long on for a single. |
| 11.3 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one. |
| 0.0 : Andrew McDonald, the coach of Rajasthan, is up for a chat. Says that the boys shared during the break that the pitch is slow. Admits that dropping Gayle is frustrating and they need to get him and then control the run rate. Feels that it was a hard catch to be fair, swirled a bit. Adds that it's about staying focused now. On Archer, the Aussie replies that there is always a consideration to give one extra over to him in the Powerplay but they need a couple of other bowlers to support him. Als |
| 11.4 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, One more slower one. It is hit down to long off for one. Stokes is happy taking pace off the ball and it is effective till now. |
| 11.5 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, Timed beautifully but only for one! Fuller and outside off, this is carved out towards sweeper cover for one. |
| 11.6 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Hammered but just for one again! Shorter and on middle, Gayle pulls it hard but towards deep mid-wicket for one. A brilliant over from Stokes comes to an end. |
| 12.1 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Swing and a miss! This is tossed up outside off, Gayle looks to play the slog sweep but misses. |
| Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Gayle comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of it. It is hit down to long on for one. |
| 12.3 : Rahul Tewatia to KL Rahul, Only one! Rahul walks right across and sweeps it through square leg for one. |
| 12.4 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, SIX! Just over! The 100 is up in style and so is the 100-run stand. A brilliant one and a much-needed one after losing a wicket early. This is tossed up outside off, slightly fuller and hence, Gayle gets under it. He does not time it very well but still gets it over the leaping Stokes at long on. All going Gayle's way at the moment. |
| 12.5 : Rahul Tewatia to Chris Gayle, Now comes down the track but Tewatia slows it up. Gayle swings but it goes off the inner half towards long on for one. |
| 12.6 : Rahul Tewatia to KL Rahul, One more single! On off, it is pushed down to long off for one. 10 from the over and Punjab continue to prosper on the back of this partnership! |
| Smith needs a wicket and he goes to Archer. Can he deliver? |
| 13.1 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Almost does! Starts off with a slower one on middle, Rahul makes room and looks to go over covers but gets an inside edge which goes past the leg pole and towards short fine leg. |
| 13.2 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, FOUR! Welcome boundary for Rahul. He has been trying to put one away but wasn't getting it. He finally does and Punjab will hope this gets him going. A slower one on the pads, Rahul stands his ground and works it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. |
| 13.3 : Jofra Archer to KL Rahul, Half a chance! Length and on middle, Rahul hits it hard back towards Archer. It is low but JA does not get down in time. It goes down towards long off for one. |
| 13.4 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, FOUR! Off the inside edge! Frustrating for Rajasthan. This is fuller and on off, Gayle swings but it goes off the inner half down towards the fine leg fence. Second in the over. |
| 13.5 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, Misfield and two! Had Smith picked it up, it was a run out chance. Smith is the culprit, you do not see that often. A low full toss on middle, Gayle pushes it towards mid off and takes off. Smith charges to the ball but takes his eyes off the ball and lets it through. Another run is stolen. |
| 13.6 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, A short ball and on middle, Gayle doesn't fiddle with it. A dot to end but 11 from the over. |
| 14.1 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, A good slower one outside off. Rahul lets it be. A dot. |
| 14.2 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, One more slower one. Stays a touch low. Rahul swings but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one. |
| 14.3 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, WIDE! Short and well wide outside off. Left alone. |
| Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Short again and it is on the body of Gayle. He is cramped for room. It is hit down to long on for one. |
| 14.4 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, OUT! TAKEN! Rahul is a goner! He was not at his best, could not time the ball really well and falls now. It is a good slower one around off, Rahul is early in the swing of his bat. It goes off the toe-end towards deep mid-wicket where Tewatia takes it. A good partnership for Punjab comes to an end and a timely wicket for Rajasthan. |
| Nicholas Pooran is out now to bat! |
| 14.5 : Ben Stokes to KL Rahul, Wide. |
| Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Down the leg side, Gayle looks to flick but misses. Wided. |
| Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, On middle, Gayle works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket. He takes one and wants a second but is sent back. |
| 14.6 : Ben Stokes to Nicholas Pooran, A dot to end another brilliant over from Stokes. On middle, it is pushed back towards the bowler. Now Stokes was off towards the leg side as he felt Pooran was going to tuck it there. Still though no run as he turns and stops it. |
| 15.1 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, A slower full ball around off, Gayle pushes it from the crease to point. |
| 15.2 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, A length delivery in the line of the stumps, Chris brings a straight bat down and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 15.3 : Varun Aaron to Chris Gayle, Shortish and slowish around off, Gayle punches it from the back foot through wide mid off and crosses for a run. |
| 15.4 : Varun Aaron to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! Doesn't take Pooran long. Receives a shortish ball in his half with glee and powers it behind square leg for a maximum. |
| 15.5 : Varun Aaron to Nicholas Pooran, A slower length ball on off, angling away, Nicholas pushes it towards point. Looks towards his partner who is not going anywhere. |
| 15.6 : Varun Aaron to Nicholas Pooran, No run, played towards third man. |
| Varun Aaron to Nicholas Pooran, Done in by the slowness! Shortish delivery on middle, Pooran attempts to pull but is way too early into the shot. Misses and it goes off his thigh pad to short third man. Hang on, here goes the alarm, Varun will have to re-bowl it as he has overstepped. Free Hit coming... |
| Varun Aaron to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! Dismissed! Pooran is expected another slower one, gets one and has no qualms in towering it over extra cover for a biggie. 14 from the over. |
| Drinks break. Finally, there was a breakthrough for Rajasthan as they managed to remove KL Rahul. But the real danger man is still there and he is joined by another pocket dynamite in Nicholas Pooran. How will the final phase pan out? |
| 16.1 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, A yorker, brilliant. Not a lot you can do there but jam it out back to the bowler. |
| 16.2 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, A quick run! Fuller and outside off. Gayle looks to jam it out but it goes off the inside edge towards the leg side for a quick run. Lovely start by Tyagi. |
| 16.3 : Kartik Tyagi to Nicholas Pooran, Another single! It is very full, not easy to hit those. It is jammed through covers for one. |
| 16.4 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, Fuller and on middle, it is hit down to long off for one. |
| 16.5 : Kartik Tyagi to Nicholas Pooran, Brilliant from Smith! The skipper leading from the front. Gave an extra run early on but saves two here. This is a full toss, a little too quick for Pooran. He hits it down towards the long on fence. Smith there runs to his right, dives and pushes it back. |
| 16.6 : Kartik Tyagi to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! The last ball spoils the over. Misses his length by a little and pays the price. It is full and on off, Pooran lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie. |
| Ben Stokes to bowl out! |
| 17.1 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, FOUR! Excellent start for Punjab! This is a slower one and on middle, Gayle waits for it and thyen hits it hard through mid-wicket. It is in the gap and a boundary. Pressure on Stokes now. |
| 17.2 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, WIDE! Bangs it short and well wide outside off. Wided. Pressure getting to Stokes. |
| Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Just a single! A slower one on the pads, Gayle swings but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes on the leg side for one. |
| 17.3 : Ben Stokes to Nicholas Pooran, A slower short ball and outside off. Pooran waits for it and then pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.4 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, SIX! Powered! Another top, top short. It is short and it sits up to be hit. Gayle once again waits for it and then slams it over the mid-wicket fence. Another big over for Punjab. |
| 17.5 : Ben Stokes to Chris Gayle, Just a single! Fuller and on off, Gayle lofts it but not off the middle. Towards long off for one. |
| 17.6 : Ben Stokes to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! TAKEN! That is clean as a whistle! Good wicket as Pooran could have made a real difference in the final two overs. Still a handy little innings from him. It is a short one and on middle. Pooran pulls but does not get the elevation he wanted. Tewatia takes a good catch by timing his leap to perfection. The umpires take it upstairs and replays show that it is fine. A wicket but a very expensive over from Stokes. |
| 18.1 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, Fuller delivery around off, pushed to deep cover for a run. |
| 18.2 : Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! It's a no ball as well for the waist-high full toss. Around leg, Maxwell turns and helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. Free Hit loading... |
| Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Maxwell, Well done, young man! Tyagi keeps his focus, watches the batsman moving back and bowls a speedy length delivery outside off. Maxwell swishes and misses. |
| 18.3 : Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Maxwell, Another good delivery. This time it's a slower one, on a fuller length and close to the tram line, Maxwell fails to put the bat on the ball again. |
| 18.4 : Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Maxwell, Fails to land the ball on this occasion. A low full toss on middle and it's heaved to deep mid-wicket for just a run. |
| 18.5 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, SIX! The giant enters into the 90s and this is his 1000th six in T20 cricket! Back of a length ball around off, Gayle stays back and smokes it over wide long on for a biggie. Take a bow, Sir! |
| 18.6 : Kartik Tyagi to Chris Gayle, Hangs on the back foot and punches it down to long off for a run. 14 from the over! |
| 19.1 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, A low full toss on middle, it is hit down to long off for one. |
| 19.2 : Jofra Archer to Glenn Maxwell, DROPPED! Only one! Maxwell moves right across and Archer bowls it on middle. This is whipped towards short fine leg where Aaron dives to his left and tries to take it but it bursts through and goes towards deep square leg only for the man at 93 to come on strike. |
| 19.3 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, SIX! He moves onto 99! A high full toss and Gayle swings. It hits him high on the bat but his power takes it over leaping Stokes for a biggie at long on. He has three balls to get to a ton. |
| 19.4 : Jofra Archer to Chris Gayle, OUT! TIMBER! Anti-climax! Heartbreak for Gayle and he is disgusted. He throws his bat in anger. He though gives Arhcer a hi-five as he walks back. He deserved a ton to be honest, end of a brilliant knock from him. Archer this time goes very full, it is fast and on middle. Gayle looks to drive but misses. It hits the pad and then the stumps. Replays later on show, Gayle did not mean to throw his bat. He actually wanted to swing it in anger but he loses his grip. |
| 0.0 : Has that been taken? Tewatia is claiming it but the umpires have taken it upstairs. It looks clean. |
| 19.5 : Jofra Archer to Deepak Hooda, Hooda moves right across and Archer bowls it on the stumps. It is hit down to fine leg for one. |
| 19.6 : Jofra Archer to Glenn Maxwell, A dot to end! Shorter and outside off. Maxwell looks to cut but misses. So a very good last over from Archer. Keeps Punjab under 190 as they END WITH 185/4! |
| 62 runs in the final five overs and Punjab have got a big total on the board! It all started with the wicket for Mandeep Singh but then Chris Gayle and KL Rahul joined forces and raised a century stand. That put Rajasthan on the back foot and they struggled to keep a lid on the scoring rate. |
| The West Indian giant got an early life when he was dropped on 10 and he made Rajasthan pay for it. He took the Pink bowlers to the cleaners and entertained everyone with his big shots. In the process, he also completed 1000 T20 sixes. Unfortunately for him, he was dismissed on 99 in the final over. |
| Rajasthan were dismal in the field and leaked runs continuously. They struggled to keep a strong hand on the scoring rate and their fielding was also not up to the mark. Jofra Archer, though, once again was the lone man performing for them while Ben Sokes was also decent with his effort with the ball. |
| Chris Gayle is up for a chat. Says he got a good nut, 180 is a total and he expects the wicket to get better. Adds that getting out on 99 is unfortunate but he is still feeling good. Mentions that the mental aspect about the game is what is keeping him going and he is enjoying the game. Shares that it is an important game and they want to win it. Ends by saying he is still hitting it well, the hard work has paid off and he is very grateful for it. Jokes by saying in his mind he has scored |
| Right then, Rajasthan have a tough target to overhaul. They did it with ease against Mumbai in the last game, so the confidence will be there. Can they do it again and keep their hopes alive for a final four finish? We will find out soon. |
| 0.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, Starts off with a length ball around middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket. |
| 0.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, Little bit of swing! It is full and it tails back in from off. Uthappa plays it towards mid on for one. Rajasthan are underway. |
| 0.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, Stokes is off the mark! Fuller and outside off, Stokes looks to drive but it goes off the toe-end through covers for a couple. |
| 0.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, Two again! This is on middle, it shapes away. Stokes looks to hit it over covers but it goes off the outer half towards deep point for two. |
| 0.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, Well bowled! Stokes shuffles across but Singh bowls it outside off. Left alone. |
| 0.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Up and over! Perfect start for Rajasthan as 9 comes from the first over. Stokes comes down the wicket but does not get to the pitch of it. He lofts it over the mid on fielder and bags a boundary. First of the chase. |
| Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end! |
| 1.1 : Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa, Leg bye, that is flicked away but straight to the fielder. |
| 1.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, Shorter and on the pads, Uthappa looks to pull but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side for one. Leg bye! |
| 0.0 : Welcome back! The men who matter are in the middle. Robin Uthappa and Ben Stokes are the openers for Rajasthan and the latter is fresh from a marvellous century in the last match. He would love to do it again. Arshdeep Singh to bowl... |
| 1.3 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, Ouch! That might have hurt! Stokes looks to play the paddle scoop but it hits the inner half, then the body and then onto the helmet. |
| 1.4 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, DROPPED? Short? Difficult to say! A good short one on middle. Stokes looks to pull but the ball hits the splice and lobs towards mid on. Maxwell dives forward and he seems to have gotten his fingers under it but does not hang on. Could prove pretty costly. Already we have seen how costly Gayle's dropped chance proved to be for Rajasthan. |
| 1.5 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, On middle, it is pushed towards cover. The fielder fumbles and a run is taken. |
| 2.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, Stokes misses out! A full toss outside off. Stokes is probably caught by surprise as he goes after it away from his body. Misses. |
| 1.6 : Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa, SIX! The last ball ruins the over and Rajasthan are off to a flier. It is short and on middle, Uthappa swivels and pulls it over the fine leg fence for a biggie. |
| 2.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Powered! The youngster is struggling. It is short and on middle, Stokes stays back and pulls it hard through mid-wicket for one more boundary. |
| 2.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, Fuller and on middle, this is pushed towards mid off for one. Clever batting. |
| 2.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, On middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket for one. Mixing caution with aggression, Rajasthan! |
| 2.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Stokes is dealing in boundaries! He makes room and Arshdeep follows him. It is a full toss on the pads, Stokes works it fine on the leg side and bags another boundary. |
| 2.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Ben Stokes, A single to end so that is three good overs in a row for Rajasthan. On middle, it is hit down to long on for one. |
| Murgan Ashwin is on now! Spin early on. |
| 3.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Ben Stokes, An appeal from Ashwin but he is the only one doing so. It is a googly on middle. Stokes looks to reverse sweep it but misses to get hit high on the pads. |
| 3.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Ben Stokes, Now makes room! It is on the stumps again. Stokes slaps it to covers. |
| 3.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Ben Stokes, FOUR! This time he does connect with the reverse sweep. Hits it uppishly but wide of point for another boundary. |
| 3.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Ben Stokes, SIX! Up and over! Stokes is in the mood now. This is tossed up nicely and on middle, Stokes lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. |
| 3.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Ben Stokes, SIX! The slog sweep is out and he nails it! He goes down on one knee and hits it well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. The Big Ben show has begun and Punjab facing early trouble. |
| 3.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Ben Stokes, A dot to end but a huge over for Punjab and they are on a roll here. 138 needed in 96. This is outside off. Stokes looks to reverse sweep but misses. |
| 4.1 : Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa, Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one. Clever batting, gives the strike to Stokes. |
| 4.2 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, FOUR! That has been thwarted! It went to the fence like a tracer bullet. Fuller and outside off, Stokes hits it hard after making room and it rockets through covers for a boundary. |
| 4.3 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, Stokes misses out! A full toss. Stokes looks to play it past short third man but hits it straight to the fielder. |
| 4.4 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, Goes short again and on off, it is cut to point. |
| 4.5 : Mohammed Shami to Ben Stokes, A single now! A full toss on middle, it is hit down hard towards long on for one. |
| 4.6 : Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa, Just short! Shorter and on middle, Uthappa looks to pull but it hits the splice and lobs towards mid on. It lands short of the fielder inside the ring. So a decent over by Shami, just 6 runs from it. |
| Chris Jordan is on now! He will be bowling the last over of the Powerplay. |
| 5.1 : Chris Jordan to Ben Stokes, SIX! No one will be spared, Stokes is in his zone. Smashes a 24-ball 50 and remains focused in his celebration. Jordan delivers a full length ball in his arc and the Englishman launches it over long off. We're witnessing a masterclass, the Rajasthan dugout is on its feet. |
| 5.2 : Chris Jordan to Ben Stokes, Fullish and angling in, Stokes turns it on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket. |
| 5.3 : Chris Jordan to Ben Stokes, OUT! Massive breakthrough for Punjab! Jordan has responded with the big wicket of Ben Stokes. He spears in a very full ball on middle, Stokes tries to open the leg side field with a big heave across the line but ends up slicing it in the air toward mid off. A simple catch for Deepak Hooda who makes no error. 126 needed off 87 balls. |
| Sanju Samson arrives in the middle. |
| 5.4 : Chris Jordan to Sanju Samson, Width on offer outside off, Sanju glides it down to third man for a run, opens his account. |
| 5.5 : Chris Jordan to Robin Uthappa, Fullish and straight, Robin gets across the stumps and brings his bat down in time to sweep it on the leg side off the inside edge. A single as it goes to short fine leg. Had he missed, he was an lbw candidate! |
| 5.6 : Chris Jordan to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Shot of a batsman in prime form! Jordan delivers it short and wide outside off, Samson rocks back and smacks it past backward point for a boundary. 66/1 in the Powerplay, Rajasthan are well on top despite losing Stokes. |
| 6.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, On middle, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 6.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, Shorter and outside off, there is extra bounce. Samson looks to cut but mistimes it towards point. |
| 6.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, On off, it is eased down to long off for one. |
| 6.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, One more single as this is worked through mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, Another ball on off, it is pushed through covers for one. |
| 6.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, Just 5 runs from this over! A good one. They need a few like this. The googly outside off. Uthappa looks to sweep but does not time it all that well. Still finds the gap through square leg and collects a run. |
| Ravi Bishnoi is on! |
| 7.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, A low full toss to begin with! It is hit down to long on for one. |
| 7.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, On middle, defended nicely. |
| 7.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, Tosses it up nicely and outside off. Samson looks to go over covers but it goes off the inner half through mid on for one. |
| 7.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, Another single! Uthappa goes for the sweep but does not connect that well. A single through square leg. |
| 7.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, Really full and on middle, it is hit down to long on for one. |
| 7.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! The last ball ruins the over! The reverse sweep is out! Uthappa plays it nicely despite not having a lot of room. Gets it past short third man for a boundary. 107 needed in the last 12 overs. |
| 8.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Sanju Samson, SIX! Welcome back into the attack! It is short and on middle. Asking to be hit. Samson pulls it nicely and over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. |
| 8.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Sanju Samson, Clever batting! Now pushes it through covers for one. |
| 0.0 : Arshdeep Singh is back into the attack! The young man went for 20 in his first spell of 2 overs. Can he bounce back? |
| 8.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 8.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Sanju Samson, Fuller and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 8.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, Robin takes a few steps down the track. Arshdeep bowls a slower one on off. Uthappa guides it towards square leg for one. |
| 8.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Nice and fine! Ends the over on a high and Rajasthan are in cruise control here. This is very nicely played. It is a very full ball outside off. Samson opens the face of the bat and guides it past short third man. No chance of stopping that one. |
| 9.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, Down the leg side, Uthappa looks to pull but misses. Wided. |
| Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, On off, it is pushed towards cover. |
| 9.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, Uthappa walks right across and this is bowled full and on middle. Uthappa sweeps it nicely through square leg for one. |
| 9.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, SIX! Powered! A little too full and Samson makes the bowler pay. He stands tall and lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie. 100 up for Rajasthan. |
| 9.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, On middle, this is worked towards the right of the bowler. |
| 0.0 : Drinks break. It's been an excellent reply from Rajasthan with the bat. They got the desired result in the Powerplay courtesy Ben Stokes' quickfire fifty. His wicket did disturb the current rate slightly but with stroke-makers like Sanju Samson and Robin Uthappa in the middle, you always expect them to score freely. 93 needed off 66 balls and this match is nicely poised. |
| 9.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Robin Uthappa, A single to end! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one more. |
| 10.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, Flighted and full on middle, clipped in the gap on the leg side for a run. |
| 10.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, Slightly short in length and around off, Samson moves back and punches it through covers for a run. |
| 10.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, No need to do that, Robin! Tossed up ball outside off, Uthappa attempts to playa reverse-batted pull shot but fails to cut. Rahul collects the ball and appeals but nothing from the umpire. |
| 10.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, SIX! This is a much better option! Flighted and full around off, Uthappa goes down on one knee and smokes it handsomely over mid-wicket. Sweet sound of bat meeting ball! |
| 10.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, OUT! Uthappa holes out! He wanted to repeat the last shot but this time failed to get the desired elevation and distance. A flighted full ball around off, Uthappa bends his back knee as he goes for the slog sweep but doesn't get enough power behind the shot. Pooran in the deep mid-wicket region does well to catch it and keeps his balance to stay away from the fence. 75 needed off 55 balls and this match is hanging in the balance. |
| Steven Smith is the new batsman. |
| 10.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Steven Smith, Works it off his pads to the on side for a run. |
| 11.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, Flighted on middle, paddled around the corner for a couple. |
| 11.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, FOUR! Well played! Tossed up ball landing full on middle, Smith attacks it will all his might and whips it to wide long on for a boundary. |
| 11.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, Presses forward and brings down a straight bat in defense. |
| 11.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, Hangs on the back foot and punches it back in the direction of the bowler. Bishnoi collects and has an immediate shy at the striker's end. Nothing doing. |
| 11.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, Flatter delivery on the pads, helped down the ground for one. |
| 11.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, Loopy and full on middle, Samson defends it back. 7 from the over, 67 needed more. |
| 12.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Steven Smith, Smith comes down the track and pushes it towards mid on for one. |
| 12.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, The googly, it is picked and pushed down to long on for one more. |
| 12.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Steven Smith, Well done! Good fielding! Need such efforts when the team is chasing the game. It is shorter and outside off, Smith looks to play it late. Gets it nice and fine; Arshdeep runs to his left from short third man, dives and saves three for his side. |
| 12.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, Shorter and outside off, Samson cuts but straight towards short third man. |
| 12.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, SIX! Smashed! A poor ball and it is put away with ease! It is short and it asks to be hit. Samson goes back and pulls it well over the mid-wicket fence. |
| 12.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Sanju Samson, FOUR! The last two balls spoil the over. A very expensive one in the end. Shorter and outside off, Samson guides it past the point fielder for a boundary. 13 from the over, 54 needed more. |
| 13.1 : Chris Jordan to Steven Smith, A yorker on middle, it is jammed back to the bowler. |
| 0.0 : Chris Jordan is back! |
| 13.2 : Chris Jordan to Steven Smith, A slower bumper, it is pulled down to long on for one. |
| 13.3 : Chris Jordan to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Poor ball again. It is on the pads with fine leg up. Not what he wants. Samson works it fine on the leg side and it races away to the fence. |
| 13.4 : Chris Jordan to Sanju Samson, Well fielded! Arshdeep it is again! Shorter and outside off. Samson guides it past point. It seems to be heading for a boundary but Singh from third man runs to his right, dives and stops it. The batsmen take two. |
| 13.5 : Chris Jordan to Sanju Samson, A short one now! On the body. It is pulled towards short fine leg. Shami fumbles and allows a single. |
| 13.6 : Chris Jordan to Steven Smith, FOUR! Nice and fine! Beautifully played by Smith! It is a low full toss on middle. He manages to stay leg side of the delivery and jams it fine towards third man. This time Arshdeep has no chance. 42 needed in 36. |
| Bishnoi is got back on! |
| 14.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Sanju Samson, Tossed up on off, this is hit down to long on for one. |
| 0.0 : Direct hit and Samson seems short! This could well be the opening Punjab needed? |
| 14.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, OUT! Samson is short! Even the dive does not save him. Punjab have got the breakthrough they desperately needed. Yes, they are still on the back foot but this can be the opening for them. Also, this is the last thing Rajasthan needed. The two were going along so nicely. This is shorter and outside off. Smith mistimes it towards point and takes off. Sujchit the substitute, gets to the ball from point, picks it up and scores a direct hit at the keeper's end. Pun |
| 14.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, Outside off, Buttler looks to cut but misses. |
| 14.2 : Jos Buttler walks out to bat. |
| 14.3 : A review from Punjab as an appeal for LBW has been turned down. The ball seems to be pitching outside leg. It seems like a review more in hope. |
| 14.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, NOT OUT! It indeed is pitching outside leg. Punjab lose a review but it was probably more in hope. This pitches and then skids through. Buttler looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. Bishnoi appeals but the umpire turns it down. Ravi is adamant for a review. Rahul takes it. Replays roll in and they show the on-field call is the rigtht one. |
| 14.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Jos Buttler, On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 14.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Steven Smith, A dot to end just the kind of over Punjab needed. A wicket and two runs from it. 40 needed in 30 now. The last ball is on off, it is guided to point. |
| 15.1 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, On a good length around off, Buttler forces it from the back foot to deep cover for a brace. |
| 15.2 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, Pitches it up and outside off, Jos drives it through covers and rotates the strike. |
| 15.3 : Chris Jordan to Steven Smith, Slower delivery, on a length around middle and leg, Smith fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. They pinch a leg bye. 150 up! |
| 15.4 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, Fools the batsman with a slower one! Shortish and outside off, Buttler is early into the shot and gets an under edge. It rolls behind to the keeper. |
| 15.5 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, Back of a length ball on off, angling in, Jos stays back and pushes it to the left of the bowler. Jordan does well to stop it. Excellent over, thus far. |
| 15.6 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, SIX! It's a big hoick and spoils all the good work done in this over by Jordan. His slower delivery is picked this time Buttler. The length is full and Buttler dispatches it over long on. 10 from the over, 30 needed off 24 balls. |
| Mohammed Shami is back! |
| 16.1 : Mohammed Shami to Steven Smith, FOUR! That is a poor delivery with mid off up! It is full and a seam-up ball. Smith lofts it over the infield and starts the over with a boundary. |
| 16.2 : Mohammed Shami to Steven Smith, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries! Excellent wrist work from Smith! This is full and on middle. It is whipped over mid-wicket. No one in the deep and boundary results. |
| 16.3 : Mohammed Shami to Steven Smith, A couple now! It is fuller and around off, Smith opens the face of the bat and guides it through point for two. |
| 0.0 : Drinks break! Rajasthan were cruising due the partnership between Smith and Samson but the latter got run out and this chase seems to have some more life left. The last over by Bishnoi was excellent and Punjab need to bowl out of their skin at the backend. 40 needed off 30 balls, the equation still favours Rajasthan. Meanwhile, Chris Jordan is back into the attack after the break. |
| 16.4 : Mohammed Shami to Steven Smith, FOUR! This is majestic from Smith! He goes down on one knee and plays the paddle scoop. He just knew where Shami was going to bowl and plays a brilliant shot. It goes for a boundary in the fine leg region. Runs needed below 20 now. |
| 16.5 : Mohammed Shami to Steven Smith, Direct hit and Smith was a goner! This is outside off, Smith guides it towards point and takes off. Suchith, who had hit the stumps earlier on, has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. |
| 16.6 : Mohammed Shami to Jos Buttler, FOUR! This over is probably the one which seals the deal for Rajasthan. 19 from it and only 11 more needed. A slower one on middle. Buttler heaves it over mid-wicket and it races away to the fence. |
| 17.1 : Chris Jordan to Steven Smith, WIDE! Just the 10 needed! It is well wide outside off. Left alone. |
| Chris Jordan to Steven Smith, Full and on middle, it is worked towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.2 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, SIX! Dispatched! That is right in the zone for Buttler. Full and on middle. Buttler smashes it over the bowler's head for a biggie. |
| 17.3 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, SCORES LEVEL! A yorker outside off, this is jammed out through point for a couple. |
| 17.4 : Chris Jordan to Jos Buttler, WIDE! That is the end of the game! RAJASTHAN WIN BY 7 WICKETS! It is a very wide delivery outside off. Left alone. |
| It was a chase nicely set up by Ben Stokes' blitz with the bat. The Englishman came out with positive intent and went berserk from the word go. He fired Rajasthan to an excellent start and despite getting out, the start that he provided always kept Rajasthan afloat. Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson never let the chips down, then Steven Smith took it forward and towards the end, Jos Buttler finished things quite easily. |
| Punjab were dismal with the ball and with the dew set in, it became even tougher for them to grip the ball. Ravi Bishnoi still managed to impress but the rest struggled and it was a meek surrender in the end. |
| Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that it was a horrible toss to lose with the amount of dew that came on later. Mentions that it was difficult to grip the ball. Adds that on a sticky wicket like this, to get to 185 was a good effort and praises Gayle's batting. Feels they didn't play badly and need to learn how to bowl with a wet ball. States that dew has been inconsistent so far and this is something they cannot prepare for. Further says that they have some international bowlers and they know how |
| Rajasthan skipper, Steven Smith starts by saying that the season has ebbed and flowed and they would have loved to have a couple of wins in the middle. Feels they are peaking at the right time and they still need to win their final match and things to go their way. Adds that they have different plans for different situations and it worked well tonight. States that it's nice to get over the line nice and early and it would have helped their net run rate as well. On Ben Stokes, Smith replies th |
| Man of the Match, Ben Stokes says that when you are in a position where you have nothing to lose, you go out there and give your best. States they are still in the reckoning and he is happy about that. Mentions he went in with the same mentality like he did against Mumbai. Shares that he enjoyed the few days off, had a good couple of days of training and hence, he could bowl his 4 overs. |
| Right then, three teams are now locked on 12 points with a solitary game left for them. Hyderabad can also join them if they win their match against Bangalore on Saturday. It is getting chaotic in the points table at the moment. On the 31st of October, we have a couple of games lined up. First up, Delhi will be facing Mumbai in Dubai at 1400 local (1000 GMT) and it will be followed by the crunch game between Bangalore and Hyderabad in Sharjah at 1800 local (1400 GMT). Do join us for all th |
| Robin Uthappa comes forward for an interview! Says that it was a much-needed win and they are picking up the momentum at the right time. Feels they have got the combination right and now trusting their skills. Adds that it was gripping a bit when they were batting in the Powerplay and repeats Rahul's words that dew has been inconsistent and you cannot consider it. States that their team's motto is that they can win from any situation and they back themselves. Wants to take one game at a time and |
| A commanding win for Rajasthan! They have overhauled a tricky-looking target quite easily in the end. There was never a moment in the chase, to be honest when Rajasthan looked like losing control over this match. Overall, a win registered with plenty of balls to spare and that has also halted Punjab's amazing winning streak. |
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