Picture : Twitter / IPL
Rajasthan Royals held on their nerves in the end to clinch a thrilling seven run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the 30th match of Tata IPL 2022 at the Brabourne stadium.
KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and decided to field first . The move backfired as Royals powered by the imperious Jos Buttler lauched a onslaught against KKR bowlers. They had no clue. Buttler in smashing form and holding the orange cap hit his second blistering ton of the Tata IPl 2022 . The Englishman stunned all with his range of power shots all around the ground. Buttler was out only after he had scored 103 off 61 balls with five fours and 9 sixes .
After their brilliant performances on the field, @yuzi_chahal & @josbuttler are all smiles for the #IPLSelfie 🤳 after @rajasthanroyals‘ win over KKR. ☺️ ☺️#TATAIPL | #RRvKKR pic.twitter.com/mKRHs7zjUL
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2022
Skipper Sanju Samson continued the onslaught hitting a quick 19 ball 38 with three fours and two sixes. Devdutt Padikkal scored a 18 ball 24 . Shimron Hetmyer gave the innings the perfect strong finish with a nice unbeaten cameo a 13 ball 26 with two fours and two sixes. Ravichandran Ashwin was not out on 2 as Royals made an imposing 217 / 5 in their 20 overs.
For KKR , the bowlers had a tough night : Umesh Yadav 0/44 (4 overs) , Shivam Mavi 1/34 (4 overs), struggling Varun Chakaravarthy 0/ 30 ( 2 overs) , Pat Cummins was expensive 1/ 50 ( 4 overs) , Sunil Narine 2/ 21 ( 4 overs), Andre Russell 1/29 (2 overs)
Chasing a big total . KKR began on disastrous note, Sunil Narine run-out with a facing ball. Australia’s ODI and T20 Skipper ( T20 World Cup winning skipper 2021) Aaron Finch and Skipper Shreyas Iyer put the chase on track with a superb 107 run partnership. After a slow start Finch found his range of shots and the Aussie smashed a brilliant 28 ball 58 ( 9 fours and two sixes) . Shreyas Iyer dropped on 66 by Sanju Samson scored a power packed 51 ball 80 ( 7 fours and four sixes). Nitish rana was out for 18. What followed was sensational . Ravichandran Ashwin removed Andre Russell first ball with a gem of delivery for 0. Then Yuzvendra Chahal took over . In terrific form Chahal took the first hat- trick of the Tata IPL 2022.
When KKR were cruising along nicely, as the two-time IPL champions needed 40 off 24 with six wickets in hand, Chahal produced an incredible over to take four wickets in it and turned the match on its head.
Within four balls, he had Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer, stumped and leg-before.
He then had Shivam Mavi hole out for a first-ball duck to give himself a chance at a hat-trick. He roared loudly with Pat Cummins getting an outside edge to be out caught behind for a golden duck, giving the leg-spinner a well-deserved hat-trick as well as a five-for 40. Chahal spell was the game changer.
Special feat deserves special celebration! 🙌🙌
Hat-trick hero @yuzi_chahal! 👏 👏
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/f4zhSrBNHi#TATAIPL | #RRvKKR | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/NhAmkGdvxo
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2022
West Indies left-arm quick Obed McCoy’s dream debut. KKR needed 11 runs from the final over and 25-year-old McCoy had the ball. He first got rid of Sheldon Jackson and with the other slower ball castled Umesh Yadav who threatened to take the match away with his cameo in the end. KKR finishing at an agonising 210/ 10 in their 20 overs. Royals winning by seven runs.
On a wicket where bowlers struggled Royals bowlers had a tough day : Trent Boult 0/ 48 ( 4 overs), Prasidh Krishna 1/ 43 ( 4 overs), Obed McCoy 2/41 ( 3.4 overs) in IPL debut and bowled the superb final over, Ravichandran Ashwin 1/ 38 ( 4 overs) the huge wicket of dangerous Andre Russell. And finally the star the hat- trick man Yuzvendra Chahal 5/ 40 ( 4 overs) was simply outstanding. Royals were good in the field too with Shimron Hetmyer the live- wire in the field. With the win the are now placed second in the points table.
After an absolute thriller of a Match 3⃣0⃣ in the #TATAIPL 2022, here’s how the Points Table looks 🔽 #RRvKKR pic.twitter.com/K5e3L9edGP
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2022
