RR vs KXIP, Highlights: Ravichandran Ashwin’s hack leads KXIP to stunning comeback win
Highlights: A match which Rajasthan Royals should have won,has gone in favour of Kings XI Punjab. The match which had runs, wickets,and controversies. A match which was highlighted by Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler, before Ashwin pulled off a hack to bring his side back into the contest. RR slipped away, they collapsed and KXIP pulled off this match out of the bag and walked home winners. (Full scorecard) RR vs KXIP highlights:
23:52 hrs IST
Punjab win
A match which Rajasthan should have won,has gone in favour of Kings XI Punjab. The match which had runs, wickets,and controversies. A match which was highlighted by Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler, before R Ashwin pulled off a hack to bring his side back into the contest. RR slipped away, they collapsed and KXIP pulled off this match out of the bag and walked home winners
23:28 hrs IST
Jofra has to head back
Run out, only this was the missing puzzle for KXIP. Shami has bowled a brilliant over here and now KXIP should win this one from here
23:23 hrs IST
Another one bites the dust
What a collapse, that Buttler dismissal has changed this game. ANother mishit, this time it is Rahul Tripathi who slogs, but there is no timing and KL Rahul takes a relatively safe catch at long on
23:20 hrs IST
Stokes - 6 and out
He biffs a 6 off the first ball he has faced and then has to depart in the very next ball, mishit, finds long on, great variation by Mujeeb. KXIP have roared back in this contest. RR have slipped away
23:18 hrs IST
Samson has to go
Another one bites the dust, another settled batsman had to take the walk back to the dugout. Length ball from Curran, Samson wants to lift it over the top, does not time it,, Ashwin runs back, settles down under it and pouches the catch. He is ecstatic
23:15 hrs IST
Smith departs
Smith has skewed that full ball, Rahul sprints around the long off boundary, dives full stretch and takes an absolute stunning catch. Absolute flier, he has brought KXIP back in this contest. Boy, this could be game changing
23:01 hrs IST
This match is in the balance
After that controversial dismissal, this match is now in the balance. KXIP have brought themselves back in this contest and it could well go down to the wire. Samson and Smith have done this before, they need to do it again
22:53 hrs IST
Oh, Buttler has been mankaded
This is controversy, Ashwin has paused in his follow through, Buttler strolls out, he waits and then whips off the bails and Buttler has to walk back to the pavilion. He is disgusted, Ashwin is animated, this will be debated over and over again. But the game is now wide open!
22:43 hrs IST
Buttler bossing the show
He is dictating the field positions and then playing it as and where he wants to hit them balls. Tremendous batting, RR cruising along, KXIP have been unable to exert any pressure at all
22:33 hrs IST
Rahane departs
Flat and on the money from Ashwin. Rahane makes room, tries to dab it away to third man, misses it and the stump has been knocked back. The wicket KXIP so desperately needed and the carrom ball from Ashwin has done the trick
22:31 hrs IST
50 for Jos
It has been a stunning innings, he is such a delight, such a complete T20 player. 51 in 29 balls and he has ensured a rapid start for Rajasthan
22:20 hrs IST
Powerplay done
19 runs off that Sam Curran over, Jos Buttler is flying here. 64 runs looted in the powerplay overs. Rajasthan have found the perfect start, the teams head into a timeout and this is what KXIP need to get their acts together
22:18 hrs IST
50 runs added for the 1st wicket
This is sensational batting, these two have added 50 runs within the powerplay. This target is a steep one and they need to keep going
22:03 hrs IST
Rahane, so so pretty
Three exquisite strokes, three aesthetic boundaries and Rahane is already cruising along. Proper cricketing strokes, brilliant batting. RR are off to a flying start
21:56 hrs IST
Back with the chase
Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler are out there, Sam Curran with the new ball, he will get the ball to shape back in. RR need a solid, slick start to get this chase rolling
21:47 hrs IST
Final flourish
Brilliant finish by Sarfaraz, he finishes off with a six as KXIP finish with 184. It was an innings dominated in two halves, Chris Gayle to get things going and then dominate the middle phase and then it was finished off brilliantly by young Sarfaraz Khan who finally found his groove. It should be a good score on this surface
21:36 hrs IST
Pooran departs
First ball of the final over and Nicholas Pooran has holed out at long off. Most importantly, it is a dot ball for Rajasthan as they continue to fight back ever since Gayle has been dismissed
21:31 hrs IST
Rajasthan clawing back
Good phase of play for the hosts, they are sneaking back into this contest courtesy few tight overs. However, Nicholas Pooran and Sarfraz can turn the tables quite quickly in the final couple overs
21:15 hrs IST
Gayle dismissed
A stunning innings comes to an end via a stunning catch by Rahul Tripathi in the deep. Banged in ball by Stokes, Gayle absolutely smokes it away, but does not get the required elevation and Rahul jumps and takes a brilliant catch and also maintains his balance. Huge moment in this match.
21:10 hrs IST
Sarfaraz on the move
Well, he likes playing cheeky strokes, but if he stays put and plays orthodox strokes, he is getting more runs. This pitch is two paced and thus, he needs to bat deep and take charge of this innings along with Chris Gayle
21:00 hrs IST
Gayle 50 - Stat attack
His 25th in the IPL.
Only his 2nd against the Rajasthan Royals.
The last time he scored a 50 against the Royals was in 2011.
20:57 hrs IST
50 for Gayle
Power, muscle, Gayle. He has suddenly erupted, and has smoked 18 in 4 balls this over to bring up his 50. Jeez, he is in good form and these are ominous signs for Rajasthan
20:42 hrs IST
Mayank has to walk back
That was full and wide from Gowtham, Mayank wanted to go downtown, he has dragged it and hence could not get the right timing. Kulkarni positions himself nicely at the fence down at long off, and takes the catch while keeping the balance
20:32 hrs IST
Tight from Rajasthan
Excellent bowling from Gowtham and Archer. They have built a lot of pressure here and Punjab have not been able to break free. Mayank and Gayle will have to do something to release the pressure here
20:24 hrs IST
Mayank looking good
A couple of crisp drives to get him going and Mayank is already looking brilliant here. He has been the man in form even in the domestic circuit and a good season here could propel him into India’s ODI ambitions
20:15 hrs IST
Gayle to 4000 IPL runs
The big West Indian has now become the fastest to reach 4000 runs in IPL. This pitch looks two paced and he holds the key against this well-rounded bowling attack of Rajasthan
20:14 hrs IST
Rahul departs
Good length on off, Rahul pokes, the ball runs off the face of the bat and Buttler takes a smart catch. Punjab jolted early, Kulkarni continues his good record against Rahul
19:46 hrs IST
How Rajasthan can stop Gayle
There is a glimmer of hope for opponents, an Achilles heel, so to speak. His record against off-spin has not been the greatest. Ajinkya Rahane could throw the ball to Krishnappa Gowtham in the powerplay to thwart the Gayle threat - and he has numbers to back this decision. In his IPL career so far, the ‘Universe Boss’ has been contained by conventional off-spin - 15 dismissals for 534 runs, his strike rate shrinks to 114.10.
19:42 hrs IST
Rajasthan Royals Team
A Rahane, J Buttler, S Smith, B Stokes, S Samson, K Gowtham, S Gopal, R Tripathi, J Archer, J Unadkat, D Kulkarni
19:41 hrs IST
Kings XI Team
C Gayle, L Rahul, M Agarwal, S Khan, N Pooran, M Singh, S Curran, R Ashwin, M Shami, M Ur Rahman, A Rajpoot
19:33 hrs IST
Toss update
Ajinkya Rahane wins the toss, and he will bowl first. Ashwin says he would have bowled first too.
R Ashwin, Punjab captian: New recruits in the side, lots of young talent. New season, new hopes. Don’t think the wicket will change much, but we were also looking to bowl first. As far as this bunch goes, they are very keen, and there is no baggage from the past, so we don’t care about the old records. Our overseas players - Pooran, Gayle, Mujeeb and Sam Curran.
Ajinkya Rahane, Rajasthan captain: It’s important to start well, and the preparation that we have had has been fantastic. We need to start well, get some momentum, and stay in the moment. We’ll bowl first. Looks like a good wicket. Won’t change much. It’s all about staying in the process and staying in the process. Jos Buttler, Archer, Smith, Stokes - our overseas players.
19:23 hrs IST
Pitch report
Could be a little two-paced. Some dry areas, and some grassy areas. It’s going to be pretty good for batting. The key for RR will be Jofra Archer. He can be extremely effective at the death. He’s got an extra 10ks compared to every other fast bowler and that’ll make things tough at the death for the Kings XI.
19:18 hrs IST
Rohan - Dhawal Kulkarni’s record against Rahul is great
Dhawal has enjoyed a fairly successful record against Rahul. He has accounted for the right-hander thrice and has given away only 28 runs. Perhaps, the swinging ball up front can be the way Rahane attacks Rahul in the powerplay
19:14 hrs IST
Manish - KL Rahul impact
We are all speaking about Chris Gayle, but KL Rahul set the tone last year for KXIP. He was in top form in the T20I series against Australia and this is the perfect chance for him to step up and stake his claim as the backup opener for the Indian ODI side for World Cup
18:55 hrs IST
Rohan - Tried and tested performers
For Rajasthan, we have players who have been superstars all across the world, these players know how to respond to tricky scenarios, they have experience to tackle any unknowns, so, yes, we are not too bothered about the plenty of ‘jokers’ in Punjab’s pack
18:53 hrs IST
Manish - Unknown commodities
Kings XI as a team will have 9 players who will be playing for the first time in the IPL. That poses a big question on how their unknown quantities will pan out throughout the season for the team. So, this is where the side holds the edge, the fear of the unknown
18:44 hrs IST
Rohan - Have you forgotten Jofra, Stokes?
Well, here too, we trump Punjab. Perhaps, two of the best all-rounders in this format, we have Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. And on their day, they can win matches both with the ball and bat and this is where, we can sit down calmly and smile confidently
18:40 hrs IST
Manish - Scroll down lower, and now look at the all-rounders
Kings XI have managed to build a squad around two world class all-rounders Moises Henriques and Sam Curran. And although it is still new territory for Sam Curran, he has proven himself on the international stage. This IPL is a platform for them to showcase their skills
18:38 hrs IST
Rohan - Why do we have Rahane?
Well, our skipper will walk out, and combat this spin. And, he is in form and is determined to make the most of this opportunity ahead of the World Cup.
Also, Sanju Samson, an experienced head in the middle order, who has perhaps read Mujeeb yesterday and is ready counter his threat. So, look for another option, please!
18:36 hrs IST
Manish - Mystery in Mujeeb
Ahh, we have our trump card, we have Mujeeb ur Rahman, and if his debut season is anything to go by, he will dominate the so-called ‘flamboyant’ batting order of Rajasthan Royals. So, be prepared to be shocked by this mystery
18:14 hrs IST
Rohan - Gayle for all his swagger, trips against off-spin
His record against off-spin has not been the greatest. Ajinkya Rahane could throw the ball to Krishnappa Gowtham in the powerplay to thwart the Gayle threat - and he has numbers to back this decision. In his IPL career so far, the ‘Universe Boss’ has been contained by conventional off-spin - 15 dismissals for 534 runs, his strike rate shrinks to 114.10.
18:13 hrs IST
Manish - Well, Gayle, Rahul, enough said!
The openers will walk out, take guard, suss the opponents, and then bulldoze the Rajasthan bowling attack. So, there is actually no contest here. And, Gayle has just blasted England in the ODI series, Rahul was at his best against Australia in the T20I series, Rajasthan might as well, think about other players in this contest
18:06 hrs IST
Hello and welcome
After a rather tepid start, the IPL got going yesterday with two bumper clashes, two high-scoring affairs. We now travel to the west, the action will take place at the Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur.
Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin will lead their respective sides, two players who would love to stake a claim for the India’s World Cup squad and two captains who will have get the ball rolling from the word go.
My name is Manish Pathak, cricket correspondent at Hindustan Times and I will try to present the case why I think KXIP will go onto win this match in Jaipur. My fellow cricket correspondent Rohan Pathak will put forward his case for the Rajasthan Royals side and why he feels they will start the tournament with a bang.