Jaipur, March 25: Chris Gayle made a fine fifty and Sarfaraz Khan made a cheeky 46 as Kings XI Punjab made 184/4 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals. It was enough for Kings XI to register a 14-run win and begin their IPL 2019 campaign on a winninte note. There was a hint of controversy too as R Ashwin 'Mankaded' Jos Buttler after he made a fifty.
Steve Smith will the centre of attention when Rajasthan Royals face Kings XI Punjab here at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in an IPL 2019 match. Former Australian captain Smith was banned for a year for his involvement in the Cape Town ball tampering saga last year.
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David Warner, who was banned along with Smith, hammered a quick fifty for Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday and now can Smith follow in the footstep of his teammate? For Royals and Kings this is the first match of IPL 2019 and they would like to get off the block on a winning note.
Both the sides have some exciting cricketers and an eye will be on Chris Gayle too, the Universe Boss who will be coming out in Kings XI uniform. Gayle has been in good nick for West Indies in the recent ODI series. Here's MyKhel Live Updates of the match.
Kings XI beat Rajasthan Royals by 14 runs.
What a collapse 7 wickets for 19 runs by Royals
Gowtham out and two wickets in two balls for Rajpoot and Royals are 164/9
Unadkat is out in the first ball of the final over...164/8
Wicket no 7 down as Archer is run out. And shami bowled a brilliant 19th over, just 6 runs.
Wicket no 6 and this time it is Rahul Tripathi. Quite collapse for Royals.
stokes hammered a 6 off Mujeeb and got out in the next ball, holding out to substitute Karun Nair at long-off. 157/5. Tide has turned
Two wickets in three balls for Curran. smith was sensationally taken by KL Rahul at deep while samson was out to more regulation catch by Ashwin. Curran had a tough night and he has somewhat redeemed it
Lovely flick for 6 by smith off Curran, gradually those quick hands and feet are finding the rhythm
And smith comes into the crease with required rate tipping over 11.
This will be debated for a long time. Ashwin Mankaded Jos Buttler for backing up a bit too far. He is out for 69. But was in the right spirit? Think it over.
Ashwin and Mujeeb have done the curtailing job well and the required run rate has now touched 10.5
Meanwhile Ashwin is doing a containing job quite well, bringing in his variations
Buttler rams Rajpoot for 4 4 including another scoop shot.
Carrom ball does the trick as Ashwin disturbs the woodwork of Rahane for 27 off 20 balls. Much-needed breakthrough
Buttler brings up fifty with a 4 off Rajpoot off 29 balls. Top innings
Ankit Rajpoot into attack now, a time when Royals are scoring 10 per over
Captain Ashwin is into attack now, straightaway after the strategic time out
Buttler punishes England teammate Curran 4.4.6.4 -- in all 19 runs and RR have made 64/0 in 6 PP overs
Buttler against Curran and immediately a square cut for 4. 50 too up for Royals in 5.1 overs.
Buttler and Rahane are going full force here -- 38/0 off 4 overs.
Buttler and Rahane are going full force here -- 38/0 off 4 overs.
Mujeeb ur Rahman into action. It could be a good contest
Rahane begins with two boundaries off Curran. Buttler is his partner.
sarfaraz ends the innings with a massive 6 off stokes. Kings XI made 184/4. Good score
Woah! A Dilscoop by sarfarz off stokes for 4. Even the Englishman enjoyed it
Nicholas out for 12, giving a lame catch to Rahane at long on off stokes. 168/4
The big hits are still not coming for Kings XI -- They need a few beefy ones
Lovely spell by Jofra Archer comes to an end -- 4-0-17-0.
150 up for Kings XI and they must be eyeing another 20-odd runs in the final two overs.