Royals’ return to home ground spoilt by rain

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Royals’ first Indian Premier League (IPL) game in Jaipur after a two-year ban promised much on Wednesday. The rain gods, however, had some other plans.

At the time of going to print, Rajasthan Royals’ i nnings against Delhi Daredevils was yet to be completed with heavy rain playing spoilsport.

The Royals were 153 for five in 17.5 overs with Rahul Tripathi batting on 15 and Krishnappa Gowtham on two.

Before nature’s interruption, it was Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson who gave much delight to the fans.

Rahane, who was handed captaincy only after Steve Smith’s exit due to ball-tampering, played they way he is expected to. There was no unnecessary bravado from the 29-year-old skipper at the top.

He lost his opening partner D’arcy Short in the second over but was unaffected. Rahane relied on singles, twos and found the gaps well in his 40-ball 45 knock. However, he had little support at the other end.

IPL’S costliest player Ben Stokes, who was bought for Rs 12.5 crore, again failed to come to the party and was dismissed by Trent Boult while batting on 16.

SAMSON BLITZ

After that came a blitz from Sanju Samson that saw Royals’ run-rate sky-rocket. The wicketkeeper-batsman took just 22 balls to reach 37, with the help of two huge sixes and two fours. He departed as he misjudged a delivery from Shahbaz Nadeem and was bowled in the 11th over.

The Delhi Daredevils’ spinner struck again in the 14th over, accounting for the wicket of Rahane. The batsman edged to a straight delivery and was caught by Chris Morris at point.

With Rahane back in the pavilion, Jos Buttler tried to up the ante with a 18-ball 29 but was bowled by Mohammed Shami in the 18th over. Soon after his departure, rain stopped play. If the match is washed out, both teams will share a point each.

RR 153/5 in 17.5 ovs (Rahane 45, Samson 37, Buttler 29, Nadeem 2/34) vs DD. Rain stopped play.