IPL 2019: 4th Match, Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab – Match Report
Mar 25, 2019 at 11:43 PM
IPL 2019: 4th Match, Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab – Match Report; It was a thriller at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Kings XI Punjab won the game dramatically by outsmarting the home side Rajasthan Royals with their fantastic piece of death bowling. Chris Gayle was the star with the bat while bowlers delivered the goods at the death.
The brilliance of Punjab death bowling also saw Jos Buttler’s effort go in vain. The young Sarfaraz Khan also delivered goods for the team in the first innings of the game.
Turning Point of the match:
The Mankad moment was a big turning point of the match. It completely changed the complexion of the game, as Jos Buttler was well set in the middle and was ready to make the difference. Apart from that, the brilliant death bowling of Punjab also changed the scheme of things.
Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab – 2nd Innings:
In reply to Kings XI Punjab’s 184, Rajasthan got the blistering opening partnership in the form of Jos Buttler and Ajinkya Rahane. The duo added 78 runs for the first wicket before Ravichandran Ashwin knocking out Ajinkya Rahane.
However, Jos Buttler continued his dream form to make things fall in place for the team. He smashed Rajasthan bowlers to all corners of the park to garner runs at a quick pace. In between Sanju Samson too showed his class by whacking the ball whenever the bad ball is on the offer.
Then came the Mankading moment in the match when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler. It completely turned the things and brought back Kings XI Punjab back into the game.
Steve Smith scored reasonably well but failed to end the innings, as KL Rahul completed a stunning catch in the deep. He was quickly followed by Sanju Samson, who handed a catch to Ravi Ashwin.
All of a sudden, the game changed in Punjab favour, as Ben Stokes walked back after scoring a six in his first ball. Then came the dramatic collapse, as Punjab ripped Royals lineup in a flash.
Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab – 1st Innings:
Initially, it was Rajasthan Royals, who won the toss and elected to bowl first. Justifying the toss decision, Dhawal Kulkarni delivered right in the first over of the game to send KL Rahul back to the hut. However, Chris Gayle played pretty much unlike him to settle the ship for Punjab.
He was accompanied by Mayank Agarwal, who scored less than a run to the ball. He was dismissed by Krishnappa Gowtham, who conceded six to him in the previous over.
However, then came the steady partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Chris Gayle, who changed the complexion of the game.
Chris Gayle, in particular, dismantled the bowling attack of Rajasthan by smashing them all over the park. In between, Sarfaraz Khan has shown his class to boost the total in middle overs.
After a stunning 79-run knock off 47 balls, Chris Gayle was dismissed by Ben Stokes when Rahul Tripathi hung on to a brilliant catch.
Despite the initial blitz, the lack of firepower in the slog overs restricted Kings XI Punjab to 184 in the 20 overs. However, Sarfaraz Khan was the star performer for Kings XI Punjab at the end of the innings.