Rajasthan Royals (RR) scored a mammoth total of 201/6 against Delhi Daredevils (DD) in their 20 allotted overs, at Ahmedabad, on Thursday.

For RR, Ajinkya Rahane top scored with 64 runs, while Sanju Samson and Kevon Cooper contributed 40 and 32 runs respectively. In the end, James Faulkner smashed 23 runs off just 8 deliveries. This was Rajsthan Royals’ highest total this season.

For DD, Shahbaz Nadeem and Imran Tahir picked up two wickets each, while JP Duminy took the other wicket to fall in Rajasthan Royals’ innings.

Earlier, at the toss, Delhi Daredevils captain Kevin Pietersen won the toss and elected to field against Rajasthan Royals, at Ahmedabad. Rajasthan Royals, today, were without their regular captain Shane Watson, who sat out due to a slight injury. Steven Smith stood in for his fellow Australian and said he would have batted anyway.

On to the team news now, where both the teams made as many as three changes each to their side. For Rajasthan Royals, Ben Cutting came in for an injured skipper Watson, while Sanju Samson caimm back after sitting out the previous game as Dishant Yagnik made his way to the bench. The third and last change was seamer Dhawal Kulkarni who came in for left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma.

Delhi Daredevils, on the other hand, brought back Shahbaz Nadeem, the left-arm spinner, for Mohammed Shami, while M Vijay drooped to the bench as Manoj Tiwary came into the side. Daredevils also brought in Ross Taylor in place of Quinton de Kock.

At the toss, Kevin Pietersen – Daredevils’ captain – Pietersen admitted that their team’s chances are almost over, but in the same breath, also said that his side will give their all in this contest and are willing to chase down whatever Royals target is. Meanwhile, Smith thought that the pitch would slow as the game progresses and Royals have an advantage batting first.

The start was delayed by 15 minutes as there was some rain around in the city of Ahmadabad in the lead-up to the game.

Rajasthan Royals 1 Karun Nair, 2 Ajinkya Rahane, 3 Sanju Samson (wk), 4 Ben Cutting, 5 Stuart Binny, 6 Steve Smith (capt), 7 Rajat Bhatia, 8 James Faulkner, 9 Kevon Cooper, 10 Dhawal Kulkarni, 11 Pravin Tambe