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Follow UsIT"S ALL OVER! OBED MCCOY HAS WON THE GAME FOR RAJASTHAN ROYALS!
CLEANED HIM UP! OBED MCCOY GETS THE BETTER OF UMESH YADAV WITH A SLOWER ONE, AND ROYALS HAVE SEALED A THRILLER! THEY WIN BY 7 RUNS!
Take a bow, young man. All the pressure in the world was on McCoy when he was thrown the ball by Samson, but the left-armer held his nerve and bowled a sensational final over to seal victory for Rajasthan. The perfect end to an outrageously good T20 game!
Let's reflect on the crazy, crazy encounter we just witnessed, shall we?
It started with an astonishing onslaught from Jos Buttler, who murdered the KKR bowlers after playing it safe for two overs. Buttler kept going and going and going, and eventually went on to score the third ton of his IPL career. Buttler was duly supported by Samson and Hetmyer and that propelled RR to 217, something that looked like a winning total.
In response KKR lost Narine on the first ball thanks to a comical run out, but then Aaron Finch, out of nowhere, played a blinder. Finch struck 58 off just 28 balls but not just that, RR were also being taken apart by Shreyas Iyer, who played one of the best T20 knocks of his career. Iyer started with intent and never took the foot off the pedal, and with 6 overs left, it looked like KKR had the game in the bag.
But then a stupendous 17th over from Chahal, in which he took a hat-trick and four wickets in total, seemed to have sealed the deal for Rajasthan. There would, however, be one more twist in the tale, as Umesh Yadav came out swinging and raced off to 19 off 5 balls to bring the equation to 11 off the final over. It came down to Obed McCoy to bowl the final over, on debut, but the 25-year-old held his nerve to help Rajasthan get over the line.
The victory has now put Rajasthan second in the points table. KKR, meanwhile, have now lost three in a row and find themselves sixth.
KKR 209/9 in 19.2 - OBED MCCOY GETS SHELDON JACKSON!
THE DEBUTANT HAS STRUCK A HUGE BLOW! McCoy holds his nerve and gets the better of Sheldon Jackson. A cutter into the body, Jackson looked to scoop it over short fine leg. However, he couldn't clear the fielder, Prasidh Krishna. KKR need 9 off 4 and it's Varun Chakravarthy who will be on strike!
KKR 207/8 in 19.0 - THE KNIGHT RIDERS NEED 11 OFF THE FINAL OVER!
A superb penultimate over from Prasidh Krishna, who executes his plan to perfection. Prasidh bowled to the field set by Samson, bowling full and outside off to the right-handers. KKR need 11 off the last over that will be bowled by Obed McCoy!
KKR 200/8 in 18.0 - UMESH YADAV HAS OTHER IDEAS, MIND-BOGGLING STUFF!
SIX, SIX AND FOUR AND UMESH YADAV IS KEEPING KKR ALIVE! THIS MATCH IS NOT DONE!
19 off 5 for Umesh and KKR need 18 off the last 2. What a match this is turning out to be!
KKR 180/8 in 17.0 - HAT-TRICK FOR YUZVENDRA CHAHAL! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES!
OH MY WORD! THIS SURELY MUST BE RIGHT UP THERE AS ONE OF THE BEST OVERS IN IPL HISTORY!
He gets Cummins caught-behind and from 178/4, KKR have slipped to 180/8. A maiden five-fer in the IPL for Chahal.
KKR 180/7 in 16.5 - MAKE THAT THREE IN THE SAME OVER!
Chahal has three in one over. KKR end up sacrificing Shivam Mavi. The speedster was sent in ahead of Cummins to make use of Chahal's last two balls, but he departs on ball one.
KKR 180/6 in 16.4 - IS THAT THE GAME? CHAHAL GETS SHREYAS IYER!
Two wickets in four balls and Yuzvendra Chahal has turned this game around single-handedly. He bowls an absolute peach to get rid of the KKR skipper. This was full and it drifted into the batter. Iyer looked to play the trademark heave through the on-side, but ended up getting beaten by the drift and turn. So KKR need yet another magical knock from Cummins to get over the line!
KKR 178/5 in 16.1 - CHAHAL GETS VENKATESH IYER
RR fluffed the chance to dismiss Shreyas, but they've got the other Iyer. And it's Chahal who has done the trick. Tossed up, Venkatesh looked to dance down the wicket and hit it through the on-side, but ended up missing the ball completely. No mistake this time around from Samson, who completes a regulation stumping. 40 needed in 3.5 overs. RR still very much in the contest!
KKR 167/4 in 15 - The Knight Riders need 51 off 5 overs
Iyer makes Samson and RR pay for the drop as he takes 15 off McCoy's third over. The equation is down to 51 off 5, and KKR are edging closer to completing a remarkable chase. They 'should' get it done unless something goes terribly wrong. RR need not one, but two or even three breakthroughs.
KKR 155/4 in 14.2 - OH SANJU SAMSON, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
The RR skipper has put down a sitter. An absolute sitter. And Shreyas Iyer has a life. This was a cutter from McCoy banged into the wicket that cramped Iyer for room. Iyer looked to pull it, but could only get a glove. Samson ended up putting down the easiest of chances. How costly will this prove?
KKR 149/4 in 13.4 - RAVI ASHWIN, YOU BEAUTY!
ANDRE RUSSELL IS OUT FOR A GOLDEN DUCK! RAVI ASHWIN HAS CASTLED DRE RUSS WITH A PERFECT CARROM BALL! Could this be the turning point in the game? Certainly feels like it could be. And Ashwin is pumped. It's down to the two Iyers, Cummins and Jackson to take KKR over the line now.
KKR 148/3 - Nitish Rana perishes, but not before doing significant damage!
RR have another but Nitish Rana has done significant damage. He departs for 18 (11) but the required run rate is down to 10, and KKR are firm favorites to knock the total down. Rana decided to take on Chahal, and took 13 off 3 balls, but perished as he aimed to hit the leggie for a maximum on the final ball of the over. Despite the wicket, with Iyer still in the middle, KKR should fancy strolling over the finish line!
KKR 134/2 in 12 - need 84 off 8 overs
Shreyas Iyer is on a roll and KKR look like they are favorites now. It hasn't just happened for the RR spinners, who have conceded 58 off the 5 overs they've bowled. Just goes to show the stupendousness of the spell Narine bowled!
KKR 116/2 in 10 - FIFTY FOR SHREYAS IYER!
His second in three games, and his second as a skipper of KKR! After KKR lost Narine on the first ball, Iyer set the tone immediately by smashing a four off his first ball. He's not looked back since. The job is just half done though. KKR need him to carry on, get to three figures and see them home. The chase is very much still alive!
KKR 107/2 in 9 - PRASIDH GETS FINCH! Huge wicket for RR!
Fifty and out for Aaron Finch! And its Prasidh who gets the breakthrough. And the pair exchange words post the dismissal, things are heating up. This was wide and short from Prasidh, and Finch looked to cut it over the head of the third man. But he got too much elevation and not enough distance. The catch was safely taken by Karun Nair. Outstanding innings from Finch, nevertheless. He's been the butt of jokes for the past six months, thanks to his horrendous run across levels, but this was a truly impactful knock.
KKR 93/1 in 8 overs - MORE CARNAGE FROM THE BAT OF FINCH!
Sheesh, he is batting as well as he ever has, is Aaron Finch! Simply sensational hitting from the Aussie white-ball skipper. Suddenly, the required run rate has dropped below 11. KKR have a real shot at chasing this target down now. They will want Finch to keep going the same way for the next 3-4 overs and set a delicious platform for Dre Russ!
KKR 76/1 in 7 overs - AARON FINCH IS ON A RAMPAGE!
Well then, do we have a game on our hands? Aaron Finch is currently on a RAMPAGE! 4, 4 and 6 off Yuzi Chahal and the Aussie skipper has raced off to 38 off just 20 balls. Finch finding form could be huge for KKR - not just in this game, but in the long run. Certainly, this already looks like the best Finch has batted in the IPL in YEARS!
KKR end the powerplay on 57/1
This has been an excellent start to the chase from the Knight Riders. After losing a wicket on the first ball of the innings, they've done a fine job to collect 57 runs in the powerplay. The charge has been led by skipper Iyer, who has been an intent machine from ball one, but Finch is also starting to look good. The Australian rounds off the powerplay with a massive straight six off Ashwin. Slightly nervous times for RR, although it has to be said they are well ahead in the game!
KKR 31/1 off 4 overs - An excellent first over from Obed McCoy
Impressive first over in the IPL from Obed McCoy. Shreyas Iyer looked pretty dangerous in the first three overs, but McCoy managed to keep the KKR skipper quiet! Just 4 runs off the West Indian's first!
KKR 19/1 off 2 overs - Shreyas Iyer has started his innings off with intent
4 boundaries in 9 balls for Shreyas Iyer - the KKR skipper has begun his innings with intent. He means business. Finch, on the other hand, has struggled thus far. KKR would need the Australian to also get going, if they are to have a chance at chasing this target down!
AND NARINE IS OUT FOR A DIAMOND DUCK!
Deary me. This is comical, absolutely comical. Sunil Narine departs WITHOUT FACING A SINGLE BALL! Finch absolutely sold his partner down the river there. The right-hander dabbed the ball towards cover, but there was no single whatsoever. However, Finch took off for some reason. Narine responded to the call but eventually found himself MILES SHORT! Superb from Shimron Hetmyer to hit the bull's eye! A nightmare of a start for KKR!
The players are out in the middle and.... IT'S SUNIL NARINE WHO IS PARTNERING AARON FINCH!
Well then. Who saw this coming? KKR have decided to send in Sunil Narine up top. He will be opening with Aaron Finch!
HETMYER TAKES 18 OFF THE FINAL OVER AS RR FINISH ON 217!
A stunning penultimate over from Shivam Mavi looked to have pulled things back slightly for KKR, but Shimron Hetmyer has ensured that RR go back to the dressing room with a formidable total. He takes 18 off the final over bowled by Andre Russell to take Rajasthan to 217, the HIGHEST TOTAL OF IPL 2022.
What a 20 overs we just witnessed. Hitting of the highest order from the RR batters, be it Buttler, Samson or Hetmyer.
KKR will have to bat out of their skin to ensure that they don't lose a third consecutive game. It's not going to be easy against an attack that features Boult, Ashwin and Chahal. Back in 10 minutes for the chase!
Narine has delivered once again!
In a game where the ball has reached the boundary rope every other delivery, Sunil Narine has managed to finish with figures of 2/21 off 4 overs. It's truly mind-boggling how this man keeps reinventing himself. It has to be said Narine has single-handedly stopped Rajasthan from posting a 240+ score.
ONE MORE - CUMMINS INVOLVED YET AGAIN!
One of the catches of the season, this, from Pat Cummins. Sensational athleticism and great presence of mind. Parag looked to thump Narine down the ground, but didn't get all of it. The ball still looked like it might bisect the two fielders at the deep, but Cummins not only dove and took the catch, but threw it towards Shivam Mavi just as he was losing balance. Superb from the Aussie Test skipper!
CUMMINS GETS BUTTLER - HUNDRED AND OUT!
A massive wicket for KKR - this could alone end up saving them some 15-20 runs. And against the run of play, it's Pat Cummins whose ended up providing the breakthrough. Banged in short and into the body from Cummins, Buttler looked to pull it over the smaller fine-leg boundary. However, he ended up getting a top edge that was safely held by Varun Chakravarthy. 189/3 after 17, RR would be disappointed with anything under 220!
HUNDRED FOR JOS BUTTLER - HIS SECOND OF THE SEASON!
JOS BUTTLER BRINGS HIS SECOND HUNDRED OFF THE SEASON UP WITH A SIX!
Simply sensational from Jos Buttler! This has been a knock of the highest quality. He was watchful in the first couple of overs, and then exploded in the powerplay. Then he kept his foot on the pedal and did not take a single bad decision. The KKR bowlers have been under the pump all night long!
Buttler now has three hundreds in his last 7 IPL games. No debating, HE IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD right now!
DRE RUSS STRIKES FOR KKR! SAMSON DEPARTS!
Oooh, Samson would be really disappointed. In the slot from Russell, the RR skipper looked to slog it over mid-wicket. He didn't get the desired connection, though, and ended up hitting it straight to Shivam Mavi. A much needed breakthrough for KKR but what a cameo from Samson. 38 off 19 balls, ensuring that RR never lost momentum at any stage. It'll be Hetmyer time now!
RR 148/1 off 14 - Samson is now complimenting Buttler
It's carnage at both ends now. There is simply no respite for KKR - Samson has entered the party. The RR skipper has raced off to 25 in just 14 balls. He's showing willingness to take the spinners on. You suspect the Royals would be aiming to get close to 75-80 off the remaining 6. It's really, really looking bad for KKR now. They might need more than just a breakthrough to get into the game. Even if that happens, remember, the next man walking in (Shimron Hetmyer) is in the form of his life!
Rajasthan are playing this really smartly!
Sunil Narine has just one more over left, but Rajasthan are still going at 10 an over. They've played it really smartly. Buttler has looked to play out Narine completely, while his partners have shown a bit more intent. Samson managed to take 8 off Narine's third by barely taking a risk. Things could get ugly for the Knight Riders in no time!
RR 99/1 after 10 overs
Phew, what a first phase. Buttler started off slow in the first couple of overs, but then went into overdrive mode. Almost like he flipped a switch within or something. Padikkal resorted to taking singles - and did his job well - but this entire match has been a one-man show. We could be in for the highest total of IPL 2022 should Buttler carry his bat tonight!
NARINE STRIKES FOR KKR!
It had to be him. It just had to be him. But it's the wicket of Padikkal and not Jos Buttler. The Karnataka man, who played second fiddle throughout his stay, had taken Narine for a six through the mid-wicket region, but perishes attempting a pull. The West Indian cleans him up. What will be interesting to see if Rajasthan now instruct all batters except Buttler to take Narine on, and let the Englishman take on the other bowlers. That would be a pretty smart tactic. Keep in mind Varun has been struggling as well, so KKR really only have one outlet tonight!
FIFTY FOR JOS BUTTLER!
What a player this man is. This has been a stupendously good innings. Staggering how Buttler just manages to do this game in and game out. He gets to his fifty off just 29 balls - his FOURTH fifty-plus score of the season. Worrying times for KKR, this match could slip out of their hands before they realize.
RR finish the powerplay on 60/0
For the second game in a row, Jos Buttler has wreaked havoc inside the powerplay. He managed to post a fifty inside the powerplay against Titans, but tonight he falls marginally short. Still, he's already raced off to 46 in just 27 balls, and is looking like he's in the mood to post a huuuuuuuge score. KKR in deep, deep trouble at the moment. Iyer needs his talisman, Sunil Narine, to send Buttler back to the pavilion A.S.A.P.
RR 40/0 in 4 overs
Well, Buttler has seen enough. He's decided to put his foot down. After a sedate start, RR have scored 31 off overs 3 and 4. And off the 40, Buttler alone has raced off 30 in just 19 balls; Padikkal has been a mere passenger till now. Buttler first launched a brutal onslaught against Mavi, and then also took on Chakravarthy. Early danger signs for KKR. Buttler is looking ominous!
RR 9/0 in 2 overs
A very solid start from both the KKR new-ball bowlers, Umesh Yadav and Shivam Mavi. They've bowled tight lines and have managed to keep Jos Buttler quiet. There seems to be a bit of early purchase for the seamers. The key for the Knight Riders will be to make this good start count and pick a couple of wickets. Buttler has already shown multiple times this season that he can ruin attacks even if he starts slow.
Rajasthan need Devdutt Padikkal to go big
The Royals invested heavily in Devdutt Padikkal, but the Karnataka lad has not yet got going in IPL 2022 so far. He's managed to accumulate just 114 runs at an average of 22.80, and he's not posted a single fifty-plus score. Padikkal's form has not affected Rajasthan thanks to Buttler being in god mode, but RR need the youngster to start firing. That'll do a world of good to their playoff charge. Could tonight be the night where Padikkal announces himself in an RR shirt? We'll find out soon enough.
Kolkata win toss and opt to bowl
It's happened. For the 30th consecutive match, the captain winning the toss has opted to bowl. On this occasion, it's Shreyas Iyer. But Rajasthan shouldn't mind it. All their wins this season have come when they've chased.
Some interesting changes on the Royals front too. Obed McCoy and Karun Nair are making their debuts. For KKR, meanwhile, Shivam Mavi returns to the XI.
Teams
Rajasthan Royals
Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Karun Nair, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal
Kolkata Knight Riders
Venkatesh Iyer, Aaron Finch, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Sheldon Jackson(w), Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
The Venkatesh Iyer slump that’s hurting KKR
KKR is an imperfect side that has many flaws, but, currently, the team is being really plagued by the underperformance of its openers.
KKR openers’ average of 19.8 has been the third-worst behind CSK and Gujarat, and their strike rate of 101.7 has been the worst amongst all teams.
The Ajinkya Rahane experiment bombed, but what’s been strange is just how much Venkatesh Iyer has struggled. Iyer has looked like a shadow of his 2021 self, and has struck at 94.7 in the first six overs. His average of 17.75 inside the powerplay is the worst among all batters who have faced a minimum of 75 balls in the phase.
In the preview for tonight’s encounter, I, Anirudh Suresh, looked at where teams have targeted Iyer with the new ball.
One thing’s for sure: if KKR are to make a deep run, they desperately need Venky Iyer to find a way to overcome this second season syndrome.
Time for yet another tussle!
So then. Yet another day, yet another game that is guaranteed to make a mess of the points table. Fifth-placed Rajasthan Royals take on sixth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders at the Brabourne tonight, and it is an encounter that holds great significance for both sides.
The Royals have gotten off to a relatively good start, winning three of their first five matches, and victory against the Knight Riders tonight will make them the fourth team to have 4 wins and 2 losses after 6 games. KKR have already played 6 games, but, nevertheless, a win will take them to 8 points. A loss, however, would spell disaster for Shreyas Iyer’s side, who have already lost each of their last two games.
The race for the playoffs is just getting started, but we’re already entering that time of the tournament where teams can ill-afford to get into a rut.