ahmedabad, Apr 21:
Kings XI Punjab snapped Rajasthan Royals winning run in the 2015 Indian Premier League by recording a thrilling Super Over victory at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad today.
Chasing 192, Kings XI Punjab finished with exactly 192 on the board following which the match went into Super Over. Shaun Marsh and David Miller hit fifties for the visitors.
In the Super Over, Punjab batted first with Miller and Marsh in the middle. Chris Morris trapped Miller in front of the wicket off the very first ball of the over. Marsh then scored two boundaries as KXIP finished at 15/2.
For Rajasthan, Shane Watson and James Faulkner took the strike. However, they also had a bad start with Watson being cleaned up for a duck by Mitchell Johnson. Steven Smith came in next and scored a boundary off a no ball. However, with six runs on the board, Rajasthan lost their second wicket in Faulkner courtesy a run out as they folded for six in the one-over eliminator, falling short of the target by 10 runs.
Earlier, Rahane’s classical assault enabled Rajasthan Royals to pile up a strong 191 for six against Kings XI Punjab.
In reply, fifties from Marsh (65) and Miller (54) helped the visitors finish their chase on 191/6 – exactly the same total as their opponent following which the match went into Super Over.
Rahane smashed his way to 74 off 54 balls with six boundaries and two sixes as he laid the foundation for a strong total, adding 95 for the opening wicket with skipper Shane Watson (45 off 35 balls, 5×4, 2×6).
Karun Nair 25 off 12 balls also provided some muscle along with Stuart Binny who clipped 12 off four balls.
Axar Patel was the pick of the bowlers with two for 30.
It was Rahane, who set the tone with a flurry of boundaries as Watson was content playing the singles and giving more strike to the India international.
Out of his first five boundaries, Rahane hit four off Mitchell Johnson, which included, a pull, couple of cut shots and a whip over square leg as he raced into the 20’s.
Watson, initially was trying to get into the groove as he consumed 24 balls which yielded 18 runs with two boundaries.
It was the ninth over of the Rajasthan Royals innings when Watson decided to tee off launching into off-break bowler Shivam Sharma.
Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson added 95 runs for the opening wicket for Rajasthan Royals.
Watson hit the Delhi lad for three boundaries and a six to race to 36. Another six off Patel got him into 40’s as he looked for his second successive half-century in as many matches.
It took an inspirational piece of glovework from Wriddhiman Saha that saw him get back to dug-out when he missed an armer from Axar and Saha effected a leg-side stumping with effortless ease. (Agencies)
Today’s Fixture
Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Kolkata Knight Riders at 4 PM
Royal Challenger Bangalore Vs Chenai Super King at 8 PM
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