Bengaluru, April 24: After a demoralising loss in their previous game, the Rajasthan Royals bounced back with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides headed into the IPL match on the back of defeats. But the Royals, led by Sanju Samson, churned out an all-round show to beat the Kolkata side and notch up their second win of the season.
After winning the toss and sending the Knights into bat, the Royals bowlers turned out a clinical performance as they restricted an explosive KKR line-up to a below par score of 133/9.
Chris Morris led the bowling attack with a four-wicket haul as the Knights failed to build partnerships. The Knight Riders found the going tough as they failed to add runs on the scoreboard and the Royals top notch fielding kept the Knights in check.
After Nitish Rana’s 22 off 25, Rahul Tripathi piled on the runs with a modest 36 off 26. Former skipper Dinesh Karthik fought back with a 24-ball 25. But Morris removing both Karthik and Andre Russell in the same over hurt the Knights’ chances. In the end the Kolkata team put up a paltry total against the Royals.
In response, youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal handed the Royals a strong start as they began the chase on a flying note. But losing Jos Buttler and then Jaiswal slowed down the Royals’ charge.
Despite losing the occasional wicket, captain Sanju Samson, went against his nature and played a patient knock to see the Royals through. Samson played a steady unbeaten knock of 42 off 41, while David Miller added the final finish with an unbeaten 24 off 23.
With Saturday’s win, the Royals have now won two matches out of five. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders fell to their fourth loss of the season. Royals, who climbed to the sixth spot on the table, will now head to Delhi for their next leg. Meanwhile after their defeat at the Wankhede, Kolkata fell to the bottom of the table with two points from five matches.
Here's how the RR vs KKR match panned out:
End of the game: Captain Sanju Samson played a skipper's knock, as he played a patient innings to see the Royals over the line. With tonight's win Royals pick up their second win of the season. Meanwhile, KKR have now lost four on the trot.
Samson picks up the single to lead Rajasthan Royals to a 6 wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders
Five needed off the last two overs
FOUR!! Miller looks to finish things off quickly now as he places it past deep midwicket
8 runs off Cummins over. 13 runs needed from the final three overs
FOUR!! Miller puts the pressure on the bowler with an important boundary. 16 needed off 21
Cummins back into the attack.
FOUR! Miller finds the important boundary for Royals. Rana attempts to stop it but fails as it touches the boundary ropes
Five overs to go. Good over from Mavi as he gave away only three runs. RR need 30 from the last five overs
Two reviews involving Miller in the same over. KKR lose review.
Appeal for LBW. Not given. KKR review it.
Appeal for LBW. Original decision out. RR review it. Decision overturned.
David Miller the new batsman in, gets off the mark with a single
OUT!! And Krishna picks up a wicket in his first over. Tewatia departs for 5 off 8. Sub Nagarkoti picks up another catch at long-leg. Royals lose their fourth. Royals need 34 off 38.
Prasidh Krishna into the attack
5 runs off Chakravarthy's final over. Another fine spell from Varun Chakravarthy as he picked up two wickets and gave away 32 runs
Chakravarthy back for his final over.
OUT!! And Chakravarthy delivers once again! Shivam Dube goes for 22 off 18 as Prasidh Krishna picks him up at third man. Dube goes for 22 off 18 as Royals lose their third
FOUR!! Dube flicks it past Karthik for a boundary of Chakravarthy
Good over from Narine as only three runs come off it. RR need 54 from 60
40 run partnership comes up between Dube and Samson off 33 deliveries.
Sunil Narine back into the attack.
Expensive over from Cummins as 13 runs come off it. RR cruising at the moment as they need 57 off 66
SIX!! Sanju Samson pulls this over midwicket for a maximum
Cummins back into the attack after leaking 11 runs in his first over. A single to begin
Quiet over from Narine as five runs come off it. After 8 overs Royals at 64/2
Dube can't capitalise. Just the single off it
No ball ! Free Hit awarded. Dube on strike
FOUR! After five consecutive singles, a misfield by Nagarkoti sees the last one go for 4.
SIX!! Dube brings up the fifty for Royals with a cracking maximum over midwicket. Powerplay done. 9 runs come off the final over the powerplay. RR at 50/2 at the end of 6 overs