Picture : IPL / X
Jos Buttler showed why he is the most dangerous player in world cricket as he scored sensational 106 not out to lead Rajasthan Royals to a two- wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Tata IPL 2024 encounter .
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals Skipper Sanju Samson won the toss and asked KKR to bat first . KKR openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine began began slowly in the initial overs then took off . Phil Salt was dropped on 0 by Riyan Parag off Trent Boult in the very first over . But Salt did not last long as he was dismissed brilliantly caught and bowled by Avesh Khan for 10 . Narine soon opened his shoulders with range of shots all- round the wicket and took charge .
Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi showed his talent with a ice cameo 30 ( 18 balls 5 fours) . KKR Skipper Shreyas Iyer’s poor run continued as he fell for 11 . The power hitter Andre Russell was out for 13 .
But not rattled by wickets falling at the other end Sunil Narine smashed a superb 109 off 56 balls (13 fours , 6 sixes) before he was bowled by a peach of yorker from Trent Boult . Rinku Singh played finishing cameo unbeaten on 9 ball 20 as KKR finished with an imposing 223 / 6 in their 20 overs.
Royals had to suffer as their fielding was just not up to the mark and two ace spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal were unusually expensive in their eight overs bowled by them It hurt RR big time . The duo gave away 103 runs in 48 balls .
RR bowling figures read : Trent Boult 0/ 31 ( 4 overs) was outstanding than what the figures suggest. Avesh Khan 2/ 35 ( 4 overs), Kuldeep Sen 2/ 46 ( 4 overs) , Yuzvendra Chahal 1/ 54 ( 4 overs) , Ravichandran Ashwin 0/ 49 ( 4 overs)
In reply and chasing 224, Rajasthan Royals were off to a horror start with Yashasvi Jaiswal out early yet again for 19 ( 9 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) .
RR Skipper Sanju Samson dropped by Varun Chakaravarthy off Mitchell Starc did not last long as he was out soon for 12 caught by Sunil Narine off Harshit Rana . Dhruv Jurel was out leg before to Sunil Narine for 2 .
Riyan Parag played some stunning shots and threatened a big score but fell for 34 ( 13 balls, 4 fours 2. sixes) .
RR were rocked by two quick wickets of Ravichandran Ashwin ( 8) and Shimron Hetmyer ( 0) both fell to Varun Chakaravarthy. RR chase now was in tatters .
Rovman Powell played some big shots and gave KKR some nervous time as before getting out scored a quick 26 ( 12 balls ,1 four 3 sixes). Trent Boult was run – out. The RR hopes rested on Jos Buttler.
Jos Buttler came in as the impact player was not in his usual fluent self but soon exploded magnificently . Buttler scored a blazing match- winning ton , his second in Tata IPL 2024 and remained unbeaten on 107 ( 60 balls , 9 fours, 6 sixes) and hit the winning run off the last ball to dash KKR hopes .
Royals reaching 224/ 8 in their 20 overs. Avesh Khan was the other not out batsman and did not face a ball towards the end. It was Buttler show all the way. England’s white ball skipper showed why is one of the most feared players in the world. Eden Gardens saw it .
KKR bowling : Mitchell Starc 0/ 50 ( 4 overs), Vaibhav Arora 1/ 45 ( 3 overs), Harshit Rana 2/ 45 ( 4 overs) , Sunil Narine 2/ 30 ( 4 overs), Varun Chakaravarthy 2/ 36 (4 overs), Andre Russell 0/ 17 ( 1 over)
Match: IPL 2024, 31st Match
Venue: Kolkata | Date: April 16, 2024
