Highlights, IPL 2018, KXIP vs RR at Indore, Full Cricket Score: KL Rahul's 84 guides Punjab to a six-wicket win

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the Man of the Match.

Another loss for the Royals. Apart from the belligerent innings from Sanju Samson and the rain affected game victory in Delhi, the Royals just have not played to their capacity. Every game it seems to be the  batting that has been a let down. Royals need to win all the remaining five matches – even the most optimistic fan will feel that is highly unlikely.

Ravichandran Ashwin, KXIP captain: We handn’t got points over the last two weeks. It was getting a bit nervous. There are a few chinks in the armour. Where we were tested was in our batting. Most of our wins have been setup by the bowlers. 12 points have been setup by the bowlers. We’ve got enough options (in bowling). Many of our batters are inexperienced. (On captaincy) I came in with no expectations. Was not looking forward to doing anything special.

Another loss for the Royals. Apart from the belligerent innings from Sanju Samson and the rain affected game victory in Delhi, the Royals just have not played to their capacity. Every game it seems to be the  batting that has been a let down. Royals need to win all the remaining five matches – even the most optimistic fan will feel that is highly unlikely.

Ajinkya Rahane, Rajasthan Royals captain: Very disappointed. Felt 170-175 should’ve been good. Didn’t bat very well. We lost crucial wickets in the middle overs. We all need to learn from this. Can’t give excuses all the time. I feel bowlers, the way they bowled, were fantastic. Most of the guys went through this situation, they know how to come back. (On Samson’s claim for a one-handed catch) From that point of view, I felt it was a clear catch. But upto the umpires. It is a part and parcel of the game. We are still in the game. We need to win five out of five now.

Highest individual scores for KL Rahul in IPL:

84*v RR, Indore, 2018*

68* v MI, Bengaluru, 2016

60 v KKR, Kolkata, 2018

Said it earlier that Rahul was key tonight. He simply proved it, nothing else… and did it with a very classy knock. Don’t remember a false shot from him in this innings, almost a rescue act… he is in superb form and making it count… Punjab needed that win and were in all sorts of trouble. But Rahul stood his ground and showed why he is so valued by everyone. Another huge mistake by RCB. Punjab well on their way to the knock-outs… Rajasthan stay bottom and are almost knocked out now.

Said it earlier that Rahul was key tonight. He simply proved it, nothing else… and did it with a very classy knock. Don’t remember a false shot from him in this innings, almost a rescue act… he is in superb form and making it count… Punjab needed that win and were in all sorts of trouble. But Rahul stood his ground and showed why he is so valued by everyone. Another huge mistake by RCB. Punjab well on their way to the knock-outs… Rajasthan stay bottom and are almost knocked out now.

After 18.4 overs,Kings XI Punjab 155/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 84 , Marcus Stoinis 23)

Archer bowls the 19th over. Rahul comes back for a second off the first delivery after guiding the ball towards long off, before smashing the ball over the bowler’s head for a straight six. Another double off the third delivery, before sealing the win for his side with a stylish cover drive that results in his seventh boundary! 

Kings XI Punjab defeat Rajasthan Royals by six wickets, and move to third on the points table!

FOUR! Rahul seals a six-wicket win for KXIP in style with a cracking cover drive! He remains unbeaten on 84, as KXIP move to third in the IPL points table! KXIP 155/4

SIX! KXIP are charging towards the target right now! Fuller delivery from Archer, and Rahul smokes this one over the bowler’s head! KXIP 149/4

Had a chance to speak with KL Rahul on Thursday, he said it was his best form yet, even better than 2016 IPL when he performed for RCB and made it to the Indian limited-overs’ teams… and he is showing why he has taken it a notch up this season… how can you deny him a spot in the playing eleven anymore?

After 18 overs,Kings XI Punjab 141/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 70 , Marcus Stoinis 23)

Unadkat returns to the attack in the 18th over, and Rahul possibly seals the game in Punjab’s favour with a six and a four, with as many as 15 coming off the over. Just a run-a-ball equation for the ‘hosts’ from hereon. 

KXIP need 12 to win off 12 balls.

FOUR! Rahul’s in a hurry to finish this, it seems! Cuts the ball towards the third man fence right after collecting a six! KXIP 140/4

FOUR! Swivelled away by Rahul towards the fine-leg fence for a flat six! KXIP 136/4

Fifty for KL Rahul… what a shot to get there… six over third man and gets Punjab back in the game. That equation is very gettable now. A batting side in a T20 game should be able to get 30 off 20 balls.

Unadkat brought back into the attack in the crucial 18th over. Now or never for Rajasthan.

A matured 50 from KL Rahul. Can he take Punjab over the line? 

After 17 overs,Kings XI Punjab 126/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 55 , Marcus Stoinis 23)

Archer returns to the attack in the 17th over, and ends up leaking quite a lot of runs for this stage — 16. While Stoinis collects a boundary off a low full-toss, guiding it towards the extra-cover fence, Rahul brings up his fifty with a six. 

KXIP need 27 to win off 18 balls.

SIX! Uppercut from Rahul, and he raises his bat in celebration as he brings up his half-century off 44 balls! And this happens to be his first maximum in this innings! KXIP 123/4

FOUR! Smacked away through the off side by Stoinis off a low full-toss from Archer! KXIP 116/4

Jofra Archer returns to the attack in the 17th over of the innings.

After 16 overs,Kings XI Punjab 110/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 48 , Marcus Stoinis 14)

Stokes returns to the attack in the 16th over, conceding eight off it. Rahul, meanwhile, is a couple of runs away from a fine half-century, although he’s not likely to celebrate already given the task that he has at hand right now. 

KXIP need 43 to win off 24 balls.

KXIP’s run-rate of 8.71 in the death overs – the second lowest among all the teams. Their required run-rate today is 10.2.

What a reprieve for KL Rahul… that catch seemed grounded before getting to the fingers… so the right call… and indeed Punjab will breathe a sigh of relief!

Meanwhile, the umpire signals the second timeout of the innings.

After 15 overs,Kings XI Punjab 102/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 42 , Marcus Stoinis 12)

Unadkat returns to the attack in the 15th over, and starts off with a wide. Stoinis collects his first four with a thick outside edge that sends the ball flying wide of the keeper for a four. Quick single for Stoinis off the penultimate delivery, with the all-rounder nearly getting run-out at the non-striker’s end. Samson appears to collect a one-handed blinder at point after a cut by Rahul, but the on-field umpires aren’t quite sure, going upstairs. TV umpire rules it in favour of the batsman. Single off the last delivery. Seven off the over. 

KXIP need 51 to win off 30 balls.

Samson appears to have pulled off a ripper of a one-handed catch, with Rahul being the batsman in question. The umpire’s gone upstairs, with the soft signal not out. And not out it is!

FOUR! Thick outside edge off Stoinis’ bat, and the ball flies wide of the keeper, and away to the third man fence for a four! KXIP 100/4

Jaydev Unadkat brought back in the 15th over.

After 14 overs,Kings XI Punjab 95/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 41 , Marcus Stoinis 7)

Gopal returns to the attack in the 14th over. Rahul collects a single off the second delivery of the over, bringing new batsman Stoinis on strike. The Aussie all-rounder smacks the ball straight over the umpire’s head to get off the mark with a six. Keeps the strike for the next over with a single off the last ball. Eight off the over.

KXIP need 58 to win off 36 balls.

This is where captaincy is so important. Great captains get the best out if their star players when the situation demands. Rahane needs to put his hand around Stokes and tell him tonight we need you to be at your best with the ball. Forget what has happened until now, this is your moment to show you are worth every penny. It cannot be all about Archer at the death, he needs Stokes and Unadkat to deliver.

SIX! Straight hit by Stoinis, and that should ease some of the pressure off his and Rahul’s backs! KXIP 94/4

Marcus Stoinis has been destructive in India in T20s. 

His career SR – 121.23

His SR in India – 131.57

After 13 overs,Kings XI Punjab 87/4 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 40 , Marcus Stoinis 0)

Gowtham returns to the attack, and restricts Rahul and Axar to ones and twos off the first four deliveries. Axar hits towards deep midwicket, where Short takes a fine catch to result in the fall of the fourth wicket. Stoinis walks out to bat next. Four runs and a wicket off the over.

Rajasthan have Punjab where they want them…. Unnatural position for their middle order having to do the hard work to win this… what a catch from Short, almost comparable to Boult’s effort to dismiss Virat. Almost!

OUT! Axar tries heaving towards deep midwicket, but only hits it off the toe end. D’Arcy Short leaps up in the air and maintains his balance to pull off a fine catch. KXIP 87/4

Axar c Short b Gowtham 4(5)

After 12 overs,Kings XI Punjab 83/3 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 37 , Axar Patel 3)

Unadkat returns to the attack in the 12th over, and helps maintain pressure on Rahul and Axar by giving away just three singles off it. KXIP need 70 to win from 48 balls.

Jaydev Unadkat brought back into the attack.

After 11 overs,Kings XI Punjab 80/3 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 36 , Axar Patel 1)

Nair collects his second six off the third delivery of the over, flicking it over long leg. His innings, though, comes to an end two deliveries later, as he chops the ball onto his stumps. 12 runs and a wicket off the over. Axar Patel the new batter at the crease right now.

BOWLED EM! Anureet breaks the dangerous-looking partnership! Nair chops the knuckle ball onto his stumps! KXIP 79/3

Nair b Anureet 31(23)

Axar Patel sent out for pinch hitting once again. It is similar to promoting Ravindra Jadeja in the batting order, but will the results be any different? Tiwary and Stoinis will have to do the finishing job, but the match is still centred on Rahul here. A very unlucky dismissal for Karun Nair… not at all what Punjab needed. He did try to pull it from very far wide… not the best shot selection.

SIX! Flicked away towards the long leg fence by Nair off Anureet’s bowling! KXIP 77/2

After 10 overs,Kings XI Punjab 68/2 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 35 , Karun Nair 21)

Gopal would’ve walked away with a fine second over had it not been for an inside-out loft that results in a second six for Nair. 10 off the over.

SIX! Gopal goes for an inside-out loft, with the ball landing on the cushion at the cover boundary! KXIP 68/2

It might be time to throw all eggs into one basket for the Royals and try Archer for one more over. The Kings XI are planning this chase perfectly and worth just upsetting the plans. Wickets are important and Kings XI don’t bat as deep as other teams.

Punjab are on the right track. 

Rajasthan, on the other side, need a wicket or two. 

After 9 overs,Kings XI Punjab 58/2 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 33 , Karun Nair 13)

Anureet into the attack. Starts off with a dot, with a single collected off each of the next two deliveries. Rahul comes back for a second after pulling the ball towards the square-leg region, before guiding the ball towards deep backward point for a four off the last ball. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Steered away behind square by Rahul off Anureet’s bowling! KXIP 58/2

Anureet Singh introduced into the attack in the ninth over.

Pace has done the trick to keep Punjab quiet in the powerplay overs. It’s been a while since they haven’t had a fast paced start and needed to grind things. It will be interesting to see how their batting copes up now. For Rajastan it is about their second line of attack and supporting the pacers.

Mayank Agarwal’s wicket was just the second wicket for Ben Stokes in IPL 11.

After 8 overs,Kings XI Punjab 50/2 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 26 , Karun Nair 12)

Eight off the eighth over as Gopal gets introduced into the attack, with Rahul pulling the ball towards the midwicket fence off the second delivery of the over to collect a boundary. KXIP reach the 50-run mark at the end of the over, with the umpire calling for the timeout.

FOUR! Pulled away towards the midwicket fence by Rahul off Gopal! KXIP 47/2

Shreyas Gopal introduced into the attack.

After 7 overs,Kings XI Punjab 42/2 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 20 , Karun Nair 10)

Stokes continues from the other end. Rahul collects a single off the first delivery, with Nair smacking the ball down the ground for a four off the next ball. Single collected off each of the last three deliveries. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Beautiful straight drive by Nair off Stokes! KXIP 39/2

After 6 overs,Kings XI Punjab 34/2 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 18 , Karun Nair 4)

Unadkat bowls the final over of the Kings XI powerplay, and concedes just one off it. Has been poor start from the ‘home’ side so far in the innings, losing two wickets while piling just 34 runs.

Jaydev Unadkat’s economy rate was above 8 in each seven out of eight matches in this year’s IPL.  

Can he bowl an impactful and economical spell today?

Jaydev Unadkat brought into the attack for the final over of the Powerplay.

After 5 overs,Kings XI Punjab 33/2 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 17 , Karun Nair 4)

Stokes is brought into the attack in the fifth over, and it turns out to be an effective decision for the Royals, resulting in the dismissal of Agarwal for just 2. Nair gets off the mark off the last delivery with a four. Six runs and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Nair guides the ball towards third man, where Shreyas Gopal fails to cut the ball off despite putting in a dive. KXIP 33/2

OUT! Another terrific catch, this time taken by Tripathi at deep square-leg! Well-timed pull by Agarwal, although unfortunately for him, the fielder is too agile to drop this chance. KXIP 29/2

Agarwal c Tripathi b Stokes 2(3)

Ben Stokes introduced into the attack in the fifth over.

Gayle tried to make room to face Archer but it worked only for one delivery. That’s a huge wicket for Rajasthan. But… It’s Mayank Agarwal back at No 3 now so their momentum might not be stifled. Feel Rahul is the key wicket here given how Archer is bowling.

After 4 overs,Kings XI Punjab 27/1 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 16 , Mayank Agarwal 1)

Gayle smashes the ball through the wide mid off region for a four at the start of Archer’s second over, before getting caught by Samson, who shows Ninja-like reflex at point, to depart for 8. Agarwal walks out to bat, and gets off the mark right away with a single. Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! Powerfully struck by Gayle, and Samson, standing at point, would’ve had a second to react to that. And yet ends up latching on to the ball to effect the first dismissal of the innings! KXIP 23/1

Gayle c Samson b Archer 8(11)

FOUR! Smoked through the wide mid off region for a four! Brute power by Gayle! KXIP 23/0

After 3 overs,Kings XI Punjab 19/0 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 14 , Chris Gayle 4)

Rahul, collected a couple of singles before this over, suddenly hits the accelerator, smacking three fours off Gowtham! 13 off the over, with a wide coming aside from the boundaries.

FOUR! This time Rahul moves to his right, and paddles the ball over the circle towards the fine leg fence. Third four of the over for Rahul! KXIP 19/0

Chris Gayle and KL Rahul’s pair has the chance to become the first pair to add six consecutive fifty-plus stands in IPL.

FOUR! Rahul brings out the reverse-sweep, and guides the ball through the vacant third man region! KXIP 15/0

FOUR! Cut away towards the cover boundary, as Rahul collects his first boundary! KXIP 9/0

After 2 overs,Rajasthan Royals 24/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 17 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 1)

Pace from the other end, with Archer bowling the second over. Rahul collects a single off the second delivery. Gayle makes room, and goes for an uppercut that sends the ball gliding over the off-side cordon for a four, getting the Jamaican off the mark. Five off the over.

FOUR! Short ball from Archer, and Gayle smacks it over point for a four, clearing the off-side cordon! Fine way for the ‘Universe Boss’ to get off the mark! KXIP 6/0

Jofra Archer bowls from the other end.

After 1 overs,Kings XI Punjab 1/0 ( Lokesh Rahul (W) 1 , Chris Gayle 0)

Gowtham bowls the first over for Rajasthan, giving away just a single off it. Rahul gets off the mark off the first ball of the innings. No slam-bang stuff from the two KXIP openers yet.

KL Rahul and Chris Gayle walk out to bat at the start of the Kings XI Punjab innings, with Krishnappa Gowtham bowling the first over for Rajasthan Royals.

Shreyas Gopal pushes Rajasthan’s score… you have to wonder how they were able to reach 150-odd… even so, it isn’t a good enough score for the fast starting Punjab batting line-up. If somehow Rajasthan can get a couple early wickets, it might just help their cause.

RR today:

First 10 overs: 81/2 (RR – 8.10)

Next 10 overs: 71/7 (RR – 7.10)

Another dissapointing performance with the bat by the Royals. It is ultimately the players that need to execute, but plenty of questions have to be asked about the planning, strategy and selection along with Shane Warne. With each game the batting is looking clueless. Good scamble at the end, but they look a minimum 15 run short on this small ground.

After 20 overs,Rajasthan Royals 152/9 ( Jaydev Unadkat 6 , )

Tye bowls the final over. Gopal gets a leading edge, with the ball landing safely in front of backward point. Tight final over from Tye, with just four runs coming off it. Gopal’s run-out off the last ball, failing to make it to the striker’s end on time. Four runs and a run-out off it.

OUT! Gopal’s run out while trying to collect a quick single, not making it to the striker’s end in time thanks to an accurate throw by keeper Rahul. RR 152/9

Gopal run out (Rahul) 24(16)

After 19 overs,Rajasthan Royals 148/8 ( Shreyas Gopal 22 , Jaydev Unadkat 4)

Rajpoot returns to the attack for the penultimate over. Gopal collects boundaries off successive deliveries to give Rajasthan some hope of posting a decent total. 11 off the over.

FOUR! This time hit over short third man by Gopal! He’s getting some valuable runs on the board for his side! RR 146/8

FOUR! Sliced over backward point by Gopal off Rajpoot! RR 142/8

Rajpoot back into the attack for the penultimate over.

After 18 overs,Rajasthan Royals 137/8 ( Shreyas Gopal 13 , Jaydev Unadkat 2)

Tye returns to the attack for the slog overs, and dismisses Tripathi first delivery, with the batsman chipping the ball over to wide mid off, failing to adjust himself to a slower ball. Singles collected off each of the next four deliveries. Gopal ends the over with a four. Eight runs and a wicket off it.

FOUR! Some fight from Shreyas Gopal even as wickets continue to tumble for the Royals. Smacks the ball down the ground! RR 137/8

OUT! Tripathi chips the ball over to extra cover, where Ashwin latches on to the easy chance. Rajasthan continue to sink in this innings. RR 129/8

Tripathi c Ashwin b Tye 11(13)

A brilliant outing for the 17-year old Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Andrew Tye brought back into the attack.

After 17 overs,Rajasthan Royals 129/7 ( Rahul Tripathi 11 , Shreyas Gopal 7)

Axar bowls out his last remaining over. Gopal collects a double off the first ball of the over, with a single coming off each of the last four deliveries.

After 16 overs,Rajasthan Royals 123/7 ( Rahul Tripathi 9 , Shreyas Gopal 3)

Gowtham collects a boundary at the start of the over, with a misfield by Mujeeb at third man aiding his cause, but is dismissed off the very next ball trying to pull over midwicket. Shreyas Gopal walks out to bat, and collects a double off the first delivery. Tripathi ends the over with a boundary. 13 runs and a wicket off the over.

FOUR! Boundary to end the 16th over, with Tripathi guiding the ball behind square on the off-side! RR 123/7

OUT! Gowtham’s dismissed right after collecting his first boundary, this time top-edging the ball into the hands of Stoinis at midwicket! RR 114/7

Gowtham c Stoinis b Rajpoot 5(3)

FOUR! Gowtham guides the ball towards third man, where a misfield by Mujeeb allows the ball to touch the boundary rope. RR 114/6

Ankit Rajpoot brought back after the second timeout of the innings.

After 15 overs,Rajasthan Royals 110/6 ( Rahul Tripathi 3 , Krishnappa Gowtham 1)

Terrific over from Mujeeb, as he gets rid of both Buttler and Archer off successive deliveries to put KXIP on top. Misses out on a hat-trick, conceding a wide off the third delivery. Four runs and two wickets off the over, as Mujeeb signs off with figures of 3/27.

Mujeeb misses the hat-trick but two wickets in two balls have all but destroyed Rajasthan’s hopes of a competitive total here. Buttler went at a crucial juncture, immediately after his half-century. With every passing over, Punjab are stamping their authority over Rajasthan and looking the better team, one which will easily make the knockouts.

Rahul Tripathi’s last four innings in IPL: 5, 9, 4, 9

This is a good chance for Rahul to play a decent knock to help RR to post a decent total.

Rahul Tripathi’s last four innings in IPL: 5, 9, 4, 9

This is a good chance for Rahul to play a decent knock to help RR to post a decent total.

The most valuable player of IPL 2017 is turning into the least valuable player of 2018. When the form is against you as is the luck. Ben Stokes has had a woeful season and his form has dictated the form slum of his team. Problem with the Royals is that they have based themselves around two main players in Stokes and Unadkat. Both of them have been poor.

Chance for Mujeeb to register what could turn out to be a career-changing hat-trick… And it’s a wide!

BOWLED EM! Mujeeb’s on a hat-trick! Beats Jofra Archer’s defence completely, rattling his stumps to send him back for a golden duck! KXIP in complete control of the proceedings right now! RR 106/6

Archer b Mujeeb 0(1)

OUT! Mujeeb’s having a fine evening after all, as he dismisses another Englishman! Buttler gets caught behind while trying to cut the ball through square, with keeper Rahul celebrating instantly! RR 106/5

Buttler c Rahul b Mujeeb 51(39)

After 14 overs,Rajasthan Royals 106/4 ( Jos Buttler (W) 51 , Rahul Tripathi 1)

Ashwin bowls out his final over, giving away just two singles off it, to finish with figures of 1/30 from four overs.

After 13 overs,Rajasthan Royals 104/4 ( Jos Buttler (W) 50 , Rahul Tripathi 0)

Afghan spinner Mujeeb returns to the attack. Stokes brings out the reverse sweep off the second delivery, collecting his second four. Singles off the next two balls. Stokes tries to smack the ball straight down the ground for a six, but some amazing co-ordination between Agarwal and Tiwary at the boundary rope results in Stokes getting dismissed for another low score instead. Buttler cuts the ball away for a four off the last ball. 10 runs and a wicket off it. Meanwhile, Buttler crosses his fifty!

Tag team effort to get rid of Ben Stokes… sometimes it needs just that to dismiss a batsman of his calibre. Was looking good against spin and Punjab needed that wicket to keep Rajasthan under the pump. Buttler their sole remaining hope of a 150-160 score now, but it feels like too much to do.

FOUR! Fine way for Buttler to bring up yet another half-century! Cuts the ball through square to get to the milestone off just 37 deliveries! RR 104/4

OUT! Super teamwork by the two fielders at the straight boundary! Stokes smacks the ball down the ground, with Mayank leaping up and throwing the ball back inside — straight into the hands of Tiwary on the right side of the boundary rope! Stokes’ poor run in the tournament continues! RR 100/4

Stokes c Tiwary b Mujeeb 12(9)

FOUR! Reverse-swept away by Stokes, beating short third man! RR 98/3

Mujeeb Ur Rahman brought back into the attack.

After 12 overs,Rajasthan Royals 94/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 45 , Ben Stokes 7)

Ashwin brings himself back into the attack. Appeal for lbw against Stokes off the first delivery, though the umpire turns it down. Stokes crunches the ball wide of extra cover off the penultimate delivery to collect his first boundary. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Crunched through extra cover by Stokes on the backfoot! Tremendous power on the shot! RR 93/3

Ben Stokes’ batting average of 18.50 in this IPL is the second lowest for any left-handed batsman. (Min. 8 innings played)

Samson goes just short of 50-partnership with Buttler. Holes out in the deep… You get the feeling that this was an ill-timed shot. But Punjab have five overs of spin remaining and Samson perhaps had to take on the pacer. Went a bit early and it didn’t come off. Over to Stokes!

After 11 overs,Rajasthan Royals 85/3 ( Jos Buttler (W) 42 , Ben Stokes 1)

Tye restricts Buttler and Samson to singles for the first four deliveries of the over. Samson, trying to accelerate the scoring rate, holes out to Nair at the square-leg fence to depart for 28. Ben Stokes walks out to bat after the wicket.

OUT! Tye breaks the second-wicket stand just one short of the fifty-run mark! Samson holes out to Karun Nair at the square-leg boundary. RR 84/3

Samson c Nair b Tye 28(23)

This is a great opportunity for Butler to compile a 75 or more. Ashwin has bowled a lot of spin already, so he will get plenty of fast bowlers from now to the end. Butler’s strength is against fast bowlers, he has to cash in now.

After 10 overs,Rajasthan Royals 81/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 41 , Sanju Samson 27)

Stoinis introduced into the attack in the 10th over. Samson collects a double off the first delivery of the over, with a misfield by Ashwin allowing him to come back for a second. Six runs collected off the over.

After 9 overs,Rajasthan Royals 75/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 39 , Sanju Samson 23)

Ashwin brings Tye back into the over. The Australian medium-pacer bowls a decent over until the last delivery, in which he gets pulled for a four by Buttler. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Short ball from Tye, and Buttler pulls this towards the backward square-leg fence for four! RR 75/2

Sanju Samson has now hit 200 sixes in his professional career.

Buttler survives a loud shout and immediately afterwards Sanju Samson punished Ashwin. This is an IPL season of young Indian batsmen it seems, not to mention that this is Rajasthan’s most dangerous pairing.

After 8 overs,Rajasthan Royals 66/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 32 , Sanju Samson 21)

Samson smacks the ball through extra cover at the start of Axar’s third over. Single collected off each of the remaining deliveries. Nine off the over, with nice little partnership brewing between Buttler and Samson, worth 31 at the end of this over. Time out signalled by the umpire.

FOUR! Samson continues to delight fans, as he drives the ball through extra-cover to collect his second four! RR 61/2

After 7 overs,Rajasthan Royals 57/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 30 , Sanju Samson 14)

Buttler’s trapped lbw off the first ball of the over, with Ashwin returning to the attack. Buttler goes for the review, and the impact is shown to be outside off, forcing the umpire to reverse his decision. Samson smacks a six — the first of the innings — and a four later in the over, with 12 coming off it.

FOUR! Smacked away towards the backward point fence by Samson! RR 56/2

SIX! Pitched up for Ashwin, and Samson smacks this over long on in style! First big hit of the innings, and it brings up the team fifty! RR 52/2

After 6 overs,Rajasthan Royals 45/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 29 , Sanju Samson 3)

Another fantastic over from Axar Patel. Just three runs from it. The Kings XI have pulled things back at the end of the powerplay and they will be fairly happy with the situation

After 5 overs,Rajasthan Royals 42/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 27 , Sanju Samson 3)

Mujeeb continues and bowls a very disciplined over. After loss of Rahane’s wicket Buttler and Samson are happy to rotate the strike and 5 runs come off it.

Not sure where Rahane fits into this team at the moment. Next game it has to be Tripathi and Butler at the top. Rajasthan are one team that have really struggled during batting power plays. Apart from Butler assault in the last match, it has been highly predictable cricket.

After 4 overs,Rajasthan Royals 37/2 ( Jos Buttler (W) 24 , Sanju Samson 1)

Axar Patel’s introduction proving successful straight away. The all-rounder removes the Royals captain Rahane who would have been the perfect foil for the dangerous Buttler. That brings Sanju Samson to the crease who manages to get off the mark.

Sanju Samson’s last five innings against KXIP in IPL:

5, 19, 49, 33, 5* 

He needs to give some support to Buttler today to get RR back in the match.

Jos Buttler attacking from one end. He can provide momentum from one end but not if they keep losing wickets… As I type this… Rahane has gone. Low catch from Gayle… Very well placed with his fingers under the ball. Not easy for the big man to get down like that but he has done it…. Leading the way in the field for Punjab.

OUT! Ajinkya Rahane c Chris Gayle b Axar Patel 5(7)

Rahane cuts but finds Gayle at short third man. The catch is checked but replays show it is clean and Rahane has to resume his walk back to the hut. Crucial wicket for the Kings will be happy to chip in with the wickets at the other end

After 3 overs,Rajasthan Royals 33/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 22 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 4)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes into the attack. Rahane survives a run-out scare on the first ball. However a good start to the over from Rahman is spoilt by Buttler who punishes one of his bad delivery. Eventually nine runs come off it and the Royals roll on

FOUR! Another short delivery and Buttler is on it like a flash. This time it’s the extra-cover boundary

Darcy Short for the first time has really tried to force the issue against the spinners early on in his innings in this match and it has not worked. A really disappointing IPL for Short, it continues the trend of leading run-getters in the BBL struggling in the IPL

After 2 overs,Rajasthan Royals 24/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 17 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 1)

Massive over for the Royals. Jos Buttler leading the charge from the front. Four boundaries in the second over and it takes the Royals’ score to 24. The visitors have a good combination at the crease at the moment. Rahane can anchor the innings while Buttler goes big

Ankit Rajpoot is the only bowler to take a five-for in this year’s IPL.

Ashwin strikes in the first over. D’Arcy Short hasn’t fired much for Rajasthan and it showed up against the clever spinner. Punjab’s ploy of using spin first up worked well.

FOUR! It’s raining boundaries. Jos Buttler finds the mid-wicket fence now. Ankit Rajpoot is having a tough time

FOUR! Buttler again! This time on the off side. Another short deliver that is smashed to the point boundary

FOUR! Jos Buttler pulls one over mid-wicket for boundaru

After 1 overs,Rajasthan Royals 7/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 5 , Ajinkya Rahane (C) 0)

Good start from Ashwin. Picks up the wicket of Short to break the opening pair. Ajinkya Rahane is the new batsman in. Meanhwile, the wicket hardly affects the Jos Buttler who slams Ashwin for a boundary on the next ball. Rajasthan would need Buttler to take the attack to the opponents

OUT! D Arcy Short c Andrew Tye b Ashwin 2(2)

The captain strikes early. Rajasthan Royals lose their opener

Six matches have been played at Indore and all have been won by chasing teams.

One game in the second half and Yuvraj Singh goes out of Kings XI, pun intended. Good call from skipper Ashwin, he was giving imbalance to the side. 

Bowling first today are Punjab and while they may be sitting pretty in the table, this is a game they will want to win.

KXIP v RR in IPL:

Matches played – 15
KXIP won – 6
RR won – 9

TEAMS!

Rajasthan Royals XI: Jos Buttler(wk), D Arcy Short, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Anureet Singh, Jaydev Unadkat

​

Kings XI Punjab XI: Lokesh Rahul(wk), Chris Gayle, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, Marcus Stoinis, Manoj Tiwary, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Axar Patel, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ankit Rajpoot, Andrew Tye

TOSS UPDATE! 

Kings XI Punjab have won the toss and elected field first in Indore against Rajasthan Royals

With less than an hour to go for the start of play, here’s the preview of the KXIP vs RR match

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the Indian Premier League match between Ravichandran Ashwin-led Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan Royals side captained by Ajinkya Rahane. 

The match happening at Holkar Stadium, Indore, is scheduled to start at 8pm IST