Rajasthan Royals (RR) completed their sweet revenge on Tuesday (May 8) against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as they beat visiting side by 15 runs at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur.
Meanwhile, this can be a turnaround for the Royals as they will look to win their remaining fixtures. They are currently at the sixth spot with four wins from ten games, so far.
Batting first, the home team posted 158 runs on the board after Jos Buttler provided a brilliant start. Buttler played a useful knock of 82 runs off 58 balls as Rajasthan was off to a flier. But Andrew Tye (4 for 34) in the middle-overs halted the run flow as they managed to post a mere 158 runs on the board.
In return, however, KL Rahul lacked support from the other end as they fell short of 15 runs.
The prolific run-scorer Rahul remained unbeaten on 95 runs as wickets tumbled on from the other end.
Krishnappa Gowtham and Ish Sodhi bowled tremendously well as they contained Punjab well within the score.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan will have to win all their remaining games with good margins to give themselves a chance of qualifying.
Here is the players rating of Rajasthan Royals
Jos Buttler (wk): (9.5/10):
Jos Buttler has shown tremendous form with the bat in the latter half of the league. He has backed his form and played a brilliant hand of 82 runs off 58 deliveries.
He will look to continue this momentum in the remaining fixtures.
Ajinkya Rahane (c): (4/10):
The Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane struggled with the bat as he failed to provide a good start. Rahane got out cheaply scoring just nine runs.
The dugout will want him to put some runs under his belt in the upcoming games.
Sanju Samson: (6/10):
Sanju Samson got a perfect start, however, couldn’t capitalise on it. Samson has had a good season and will hope to continue with it.
He departed scoring 22 runs off 18 balls including one boundary and six each.
Ben Stokes: (5/10):
Ben Stokes poor form with the bat continues as he struggled to justify his huge price tag. Stokes departed scoring 14 runs before returning with one for 13 in two overs.
Rajasthan set-up will badly want Stokes to contribute to the team’s success.
Stuart Binny: (4/10):
The experienced Indian all-rounder Stuart Binny contributed with 11 runs before getting run-out. However, he will be livid with himself for wasting a golden opportunity.
Binny will look to cash in if get another chance in this league.
Mahipal Lomror: (3/10):
The young left-arm spinner Mahipal Lomror is yet to prove his worth in a big stage like IPL.
However, this will be a learning curve for him and will grow as a cricketer.
Lomror was a bit expensive giving away 19 runs in his two overs.
Jofra Archer: (5/10):
Jofra Archer went for few runs in his first spell, however, came back stronger in the latter half of the game. He had a great start to his IPL career and will look to continue doing so.
The right-arm seamer returned with one for 32 in his four overs.
Krishnappa Gowtham: (8/10):
The all-rounder K Gowtham has started to perform after Rahane showed immense confidence in him.
Although he failed to score runs with the bat, he bowled some accurate line and length – to contain destructive Punjab batsmen.
Bowling in the powerplay overs, Gowtham returned with two for 12 in his three overs. This will give him the much-needed confidence as he will strive for more.
Jaydev Unadkat: (5/10):
Jaydev Unadkat’s poor form with the ball continues as he failed to make inroads against a struggling Punjab batting.
The left-arm seamer returned with one for 36 in his full quota, however, will be keen to pay back the trust shown on him.
Ish Sodhi: (7.5/10):
The leg-spinner from New Zealand Ish Sodhi was absolutely spectacular with the ball. He returned with one for 14 in his four overs as Royals returned to winning ways.
Sodhi’s form will be crucial to Rajastahn camp in the upcoming do-or-die matches.
Anureet Singh: (3.5/10):
Anureet Singh was expensive with the ball in today’s game. He went for 12 runs in the only one over he bowled.
However, he will look to come back stronger in the next outing for Rajasthan Royals.
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