Royals boost playoff chances
MUMBAI: With Lucknow Super Giants needing 72 off 30 balls, Rajasthan Royals had enough runs to play with. But given that LSG pride themselves on their batting depth, the match wasn’t safe yet. Also, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who had a rare expensive start to the game, having conceded 25 runs in his first two overs, had two more overs to bowl at the death.
But Chahal, like he has throughout the league, found a way to avoid a big over. Even the big-hitting Marcus Stoinis could not do much damage as the RR bowling unit put together an impressive defence of 178 on a batting-friendly Brabourne surface on Sunday. RR with a 24-run win are now locked on 16 points with Lucknow, who have lost a lot of the momentum they enjoyed only two matches back as table-toppers.
RR’s best bet to strike was with the new ball through Trent Boult’s three powerplay overs. The Kiwi quick sure made his overs count. First Quinton de Kock (7) slashed straight to point. Then LSG added to their musical chairs at No 3. Just when one thought Deepak Hooda was settling in that position, Ayush Badoni was promoted. But the youngster is suddenly finding top flight cricket a touch too hot to handle. He fell first ball to a sharp Boult delivery curling in that on review showed was crashing into the middle of middle stump.
Prasidh Krishna at the other end was sparring with his senior state team mate Rahul, engaging in verbals. Tonked for six over cover, Krishna had the last laugh as Rahul’s cut landed straight in the hands of point on 10, making it a three-wicket powerplay for the Royals. After that for a majority of the middle overs, Krunal Pandya and Hooda did the resurrection act in their 65-run fourth wicket stand. The skilful RR bowling attack kept at it, Ashwin bowling some 100 kph balls and Obed McCoy bowling slower balls. In the 14th over, an intriguing Ashwin-Pandya contest came to a close after the lefthander, on 25, holed out to longoff, falling to a relay catch. Brief scores: RR 178/6 (Y Jaiswal 41, D Padikkal 39; R Bishnoi 2/31). LSG 154/8 (D Hooda 59; T Boult 2/18). RR won by 24 runs.