On a wicket where spin plays a leading role RR captain Sanju Samson won the toss & wale red to bat. The Power Packed home side were running with a metropolitan of stars in the form of Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Trent Boult.
Jos Buttler (11 off 9) tried to charge early on but was dismissed by Avesh Khan. The LSG got their second scalp as Yashasvi Jaiswal (24 off 12) was caught by Krunal Pandya while playing a false short off Mohsin Khan’s bowling. The Royals were 54 for the loss of 2 after power play. Riyan Parag alongside captain Sanju Samson stitched a 50+ partnership. Samson, with his fine hitting display went on scoring his 21st IPL 50 off just 33 balls. Riyan Parag (43 of 29) was dismissed by Naveen Ul Haq on a slower delivery where Parag tried to smash him for a consecutive six. Shamron Hermyer couldn’t do much as he was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi just for 5 off 7. Hetmyer didn’t realize he nicked it. The on field umpire also took his time signaling it out. But Hetmyer thought he hadn’t edged it. But the UltraEdge showed a little spike. Some lower down the order fireworks from Sanju Samson took the Rajasthani side to 193 – 4.
The LSG top order was not up to the mark. Trent Boult removed Quinton DeKock (4 off 5) right in the first over. Boult with his pace & swing in his very next over, then breached into the defenses of Devdutt Paddikkal (0 off 3).
The debutant, Nandre Burger came to the attack and dismissed Aayush Badoni (1 off 5) as his maiden IPL wicket. Deepak Hooda (26 off 13) was just playing one way, aggressive but soon skied one up in the air as he went on taking Yuzi Chahal.
LSG captain, K.L. Rahul & hard hitting Nicholas Pooran came to the recovery with Rahul smashing a 50 off 35 balls and Pooran hitting a brilliant 64 of 41 balls. In the 16th over Captain Rahul threw his bat for 58 off 44 balls as Dhruv Jurel grabbed a stunner. Ashwin soon had the ball in his hand and boy did he do some magic. He had his first wicket in this IPL season in the form of Marcus Stoinis (3 off 4). The Rajasthan Royals finally had the match in their control. The men in Pink won the duel by 20 runs.
The Rajasthan Royals next play against the Delhi Capitals at home (SMS Stadium, Jaipur). The side would be high on momentum and would be looking forward to another win in the tournament.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
