The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Rajasthan wins battle of the Royals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 28, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Rajasthan wins battle of the Royals

K.C. Vijaya Kumar

Bangalore: The expected Saturday night party for the home side Royal Challengers Bangalore never happened as Rajasthan Royals coasted to a seven-wicket victory in the DLF-Indian Premier League match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Chasing Royal Challengers’ 135, Rajasthan Royals thrived on a 104-run third-wicket partnership between Graeme Smith (49) and Shane Watson (61 n.o., 41b, 8x4, 2x6) to score the winning runs in 17.1 overs.

Chasing a moderate target can be tricky and with Praveen Kumar snapping up Mahesh Rawat in the first over, Royal Challengers seemed to be playing out their “Game for life” advertisement slogan.

Pathan’s blitz

However, Yusuf Pathan blitzed five fours in a 12-ball 21 to settle the initial nerves. Pathan edged Zaheer to retrace his steps but with Smith and Watson dropping anchor as well as flexing batting muscle, Rajasthan Royals laid claim to a warm night.

Smith’s short-arm pull off Kallis froze the fielders and he brushed aside a vociferous appeal after Zaheer rapped his pads, to continue tormenting the bowlers. An attempt to do an encore though undid him but by then the visitor needed just six runs and take its points tally to six from four matches.

Watson meanwhile waded into a Praveen Kumar over with a sequence of 4, 6, 4, 4, 4 and 4 as he toyed on either side of the pitch, driving, whipping and lofting with élan.

The scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore: 135 (for eight wkts. in 20 overs).

Rajasthan Royals: G. Smith c Kumble b Joshi 49, M. Rawat c Boucher b Praveen 0, Y. Pathan c Boucher b Zaheer 21, S. Watson (not out) 61, Kaif (not out) 4; Extras: (lb-1, w-2): 3; Total: (for three wkts. in 17.1 overs) 138.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-26, 3-130.

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling: Praveen 3-0-42-1, Zaheer 4-0-24-1, Vinay 2-0-15-0, Kumble 4-0-22-0, Kallis 1-0-7-0, Joshi 3.1-0-27-1.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport