Bengaluru, Sept. 27: A nail-biting finish! That would be an understatement as one would be at a loss of words to describe Rajasthan Royals' thrilling four-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After the KL Rahul-led Punjab team put up a mammoth total of 223, the Rajasthan Royals chased it down with three balls to spare. And while the likes of Sanju Samson and skipper Steve Smith was their usual best, it was Rahul Tewatia who stole the show.
IPL 2020: RR vs KXIP, Match 9: As it Happened
Brilliant half-centuries by Smith, Samson and Tewatia help @rajasthanroyals win a thriller of a game here in Sharjah.#Dream11IPL #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/cczDkeVoW0
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) September 27, 2020
Earlier, before the Royals brilliant chase, the Kings XI Punjab put up a strong show with the bat to put up the challenging total. Centurion Mayank Agarwal and skipper KL Rahul scored a record-breaking opening partnership of 183 to guide the Punjab team to a good total.
Agarwal outshone his captain with a maiden IPL hundred as the duo pummelled the Rajasthan bowlers into submission to post an imposing 223 for 2.
Terrific batting by @rajasthanroyals’ batsmen Smith, Sanju & Tewatia to chase this mega total.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 27, 2020
They kept their cool and accelerated beautifully.
Surprised how the @lionsdenkxip fast bowlers didn’t bowl many yorkers and also failed to use M Ashwin enough. #RRvKXIP #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/f52wF11uig
The Royals captain Steve Smith kept on shuffling his bowlers and spinner Tewatia was hit for 19 runs in the eighth over, which included two sixes and a four. The Royals bowlers had no clue how to deal with the marauding opening duo. Only Ankit Rajpoot conceded less than 10 runs an over.
Dethroned! ⚔️
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 27, 2020
Kings of the south ✅
Kings of the north ✅#RRvKXIP | #HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily | @rahultewatia02 pic.twitter.com/RDw2Ztg31O
Meanwhile, KXIP have now lost two matches and won one out of their three ties this season. But Sunday's blockbuster clash once again proved the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket!
While the Royals next take on the Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, the Kings XI Punjab will next face Chennai Super Kings on Thursday.