Rahane 98 helps Rajasthan Royals crush Kings XI Punjab

Tags: Indian Premier League - 2012, Rajasthan Royals Vs Kings XI Punjab 4th Match at Jaipur - Apr 6, 2012, Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane, Kevon Cooper

Published on: Apr 06, 2012

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Rajasthan Royals Vs Kings XI Punjab at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Match Highlights: DLF IPL 2012

Rahul Dravid’s Rajasthan Royals comprehensively defeated Kings XI Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium by 31 runs. Needing a huge target of 192 to win, the Kings XI Punjab lacked the firepower to compete in the contest especially after the departure of Adam Gilchrist early on and then that of David Hussey.

The Kings XI Punjab were never in the match especially after getting reduced to 86 for 5 in 11.2 overs. In the end, a decent 34 (from 25 balls with 5 fours) from Mandeep Singh helped the Kings XI Punjab to 160 for 9 which of course way short of the target.

The hero of the Rajasthan Royals in the second half was West Indian Kevon Cooper who took 4 for 26 and along with it two catches and a run out. Ajinkya Rahane who set up the match for the Royals with his 98 got the Man of the Match award.

Ajinkya Rahane 98 carries Rajasthan Royals to 191 for 4

Ajinkya Rahane scored 98Rajasthan Royals are favourites to beat Kings XI Punjab at Jaipur after piling up an impressive 191 for 4. Opener Ajinkya Rahane sizzled with a sparkling knock of 98 which came in 66 balls with 16 fours and a six. Rahane got out on 98 in the final over trying to go inside out but only to miss a slower one from James Faulkner.

It was a great start for the hosts on a good batting surface with Skipper Rahul Dravid (28 from 24 balls with 3 fours) and Rahane putting up 77 runs in 9.3 overs for the first wicket. After that it was a pretty easy job with Ranane batting out almost the entire overs and getting some support from Brad Hodge. Although the pitch looks really good for strokemaking, the spinners did find some turn and bounce every now and then.

Toss and Teams: Adam Gilchrist, the Captain of Kings XI Punjab won the toss and has asked Rahul Dravid’s Rajasthan Royals to bat first at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Rajasthan Royals: AM Rahane, R Dravid (Captain), J Botha, AL Menaria, BJ Hodge, AA Chavan, OA Shah, SP Goswami (Wicket Keeper), K Cooper, A Singh, SK Trivedi

Kings XI Punjab: AC Gilchrist (Captain and Wicket Keeper), AM Nayar, Bipul Sharma, DJ Hussey, PC Valthaty, SE Marsh, Mandeep Singh, PP Chawla, JP Faulkner, Harmeet Singh, P Kumar

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