IPL6: Rajasthan thrash Punjab by eight wickets

A disciplined performance from Rajasthan Royals ensured they thrashed Kings XI Punjab by eight wickets at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.

Chasing a tricky 146 to win, Rajasthan received an early setback losing skipper Rahul Dravid.

It did not matter as Ajinkya Rahane stayed firm to remain unbeaten on 59 from 49 deliveries with the help of three boundaries and as many sixes.

He shared two vital partnerships with Shane Watson and Sanju Samson as Rajasthan achieved the target in the penultimate over.

Watson cracked a 25-ball 31 including three fours and a six while the youngster Samson put another impressive show smashing an unbeaten 33-ball 47 not out peppered with five boundaries and a six.

Earlier, after a good start Kings XI Punjab lost their way, thanks to some exceptional bowling from Rajasthan Royals, as the hosts were restricted to 145 for six in 20 overs.

Put in to bat first, Punjab got off to a flying start despite losing an early wicket as Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh shared a century stand for the second wicket.

Gilchrist cracked 42 from 32 balls with six boundaries, while Marsh stayed for a longer duration scoring 77 from 64 balls peppered with six hits to the fence and two over it.

From 102 for 2, Punjab slipped quickly to 143 for six losing wickets regularly as Rajasthan Royals tightened their grip.

Kevon Cooper was the impressive bowler claiming three for 23.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS

Rahane has been brilliant. Remained there till the end and youngster Samson has been really impressive. It's an easy victory for Rajasthan.

Rajasthan look set to seal another two points. Rajasthan are need only 11 runs for victory.

Rahane looks to be in a hurry to finish it off. Gets to his half century then hammers a six. Rajasthan are 130 for 2 in 17 overs.

Partnership reaches 50 between Rahane and Samson.

Rajasthan are cruising smoothly. Punjab need wickets if they were turn things around. Rajasthan need 41 from 30 balls. They are 105 for 2 in 15 overs.

Runs slowing down. Rajasthan need 48 off 36 balls. They are 98 for 2 in 14 overs.

Only three runs from that over. Rajasthan need  51 from 48. Rajasthan are 95 for 2 in 13 overs.

Rahane and Samson are taking Rajasthan closer and comfortably. They now need 54 from 48 balls. Rajasthan are 92 for 2 in 12 overs.

Smooth sailing for Rajasthan, need 64 off 54. Rajasthan are 82 for 2 in 11 overs.

Rajasthan need 73 from 60 balls. Looks easy with wickets in hand.

Chawla picks the big man. Watson on his way back. Punjab badly needed that break. Rajasthan are 71 for 2 in 9.4 overs.

Rahane is going great. Another six from him and Rajasthan are 65 for 1 in 9 overs.

The 50-run partnership between Watson and Rahane. Rajasthan placed nicely. They are 55 for 1 in 8 overs.

Watson whacks a six but Bipul does well after that and nine runs from that over. Rajasthan are 47 for 1 in 7 overs.

Watson, Rahane going strong at the moment. Rajasthan are 38 for 1 in 6 overs.

Two cracking boundaries from Watson and  Rahane and Rajasthan look on track as they reach 31 for 1 in 5 overs.

Rahane's boundary takes Rajasthan are 20 for 1 in 4 overs.

Watson, Rahane steady as they reach 12 for 1 in 3 overs.

Good over for Punjab. Just two runs and an important wicket. Rajasthan are 6 for 1 in 2 overs.

R Dravid b Bipul Sharma 4 (7b 1x4 0x6)

Bipul Sharma bowls a superb slower one and Dravid is bowled. Rajasthan are 5 for 1 in 1.2 overs

Praveen concedes a boundary but good recovery from there. Rajasthan are 4 for no loss in 1 over.

Dravid, Rahane open for Rajasthan. Praveen Kumar bowls for Punjab.


KINGS XI PUNJAB INNINGS

Brilliant effort from the Rajasthan bowlers to restrict Punjab to 145 for six in 20 overs, especially after Punjab had made a great start.

MS Gony c Samson b Faulkner 3 (3b 0x4 0x6)

It's just not happening for Punjab as they lost their way in the last five overs. Another wicket goes and Punjab are 143 for 6 in 19.4 overs.

D Miller c Rahane b Cooper 8 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Another one from Cooper. Things have suddenly changed in Rajasthan favour. Even 150 looks doubtful for Kings XI Punjab as they reach 137 for 5 in 19 overs.

S Marsh b Cooper 77 (64b 6x4 2x6)

Boundaries drying up for Punjab. Marsh goes for a big one but is bowled by Cooper. Rajasthan bowlers are doing a great job at the moment. Punjab are 136 for 4 in 18.4 overs.

Good over for Rajasthan. Watson gives away only 7 runs. Punjab are 134 for 3 in 18 overs.

Eventful over. Seven runs coming off it. Dravid drops an relatively easier catch off Marsh. How expensive is that. Punjab are 127 for 3 in 17 overs.

Marsh is giving a tough time to Rajasthan bowlers. 14 runs from that over. Punjab are 120 for 3 in 16 overs. Four overs and Punjab can eye a big total.

D Hussey b Watson 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

A beauty from Watson. He gets the movement and Hussey is bowled. Punjab are 105 for 3 in 14.3 overs.

David Hussey is in. Pujab has still some batting to go. They are 104 for 2 in 14 overs.

A Gilchrist c & b Cooper 42 (32b 6x4 0x6)

Cooper strikes for Rajasthan finally. Gilchrist goes, but the Australian has done his job. Punjab are 102 for 2 in 13.3 overs.

The 100-run partnership also comes up as Punjab reach 100 for 1 in 13 overs.

A cheeky boundary gets Marsh to his half century. He gets to 51 from 41 balls. Rajasthan desperate for a wicket. Punjab reach 93 for 1 in 12 overs.

Punjab are in a fine situation now. But they need to step up the scoring as they reach 85 for 1 in 11 overs.

Both left-handers taking easy half way through the innings. Punjab are 74 for 1 in 10 overs

Punjab are 65 for 1 in 9 overs.

Punjab looking strong at the moment. They need this partnership going for a while. They reach 58 for 1 in 8 overs

This time Marsh goes on the aggressive. Hammers Chandila a six and a boundary as Punjab are 51 for 1 in 7 overs.

Two boundaries down the third man from Gilchrist off Faulkner and Punjab are 37 for 1 in 6 overs.

After five overs Punjab are 28 for 1. Gilchrist knows how important this match is for Punjab. He's got to stay.

Punjab is looking strong. A small incident trying to get Gilly out in a cheeky way angered the Australian and he has been cracking since then.

Brilliant start from Rajasthan. Punjab are 1 for 1 in 1 over

Mandeep Singh c & b Chandila 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Chandila makes a great start. Picks Mandeep for a duck. Not the ideal start for Punjab. 0 for 1 in .3 overs.

Gilchrist, Mandeep Singh open for Punjab, Ajit Chandila bowls for Rajasthan.

Playing XI

KXIP: A Gilchrist, Mandeep Singh, S Marsh, D Hussey, D Miller, Bipul Sharma, R Sathish, P Chawla, P Kumar, M Gony, P Awana.

RR: R Dravid, A Rahane, S Watson, B  Hodge, S Samson, D Yagnik, K Cooper, J Faulkner, A Chandila, S Sreesanth, S Trivedi

Gilchrist is back in Punjab squad.

Dravid has won the toss and put Kings XI Punjab into bat first.

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) buoyed by their spectacular win over Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 55 of IPL6 at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.

David Miller's incredible 38-ball century has bolstered their net run rate and kept their alive their hopes of securing a top-four position although they are placed sixth.

RR have reigned supreme at home but need to improve their away record this season having won only five matches so far.

They are locked in a battle with five teams for three Play-Off spots.

When the two teams met at Jaipur earlier, Rajasthan won a low-scoring encounter by six wickets.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.