IPL 2020 Highlights, KXIP vs RR Match, Full Cricket Score: Royals win by 7-wickets, keep playoff hopes alive

Man of the match: Ben Stokes

“I think when you are in a position like we are, you have nothing to lose. We are still hanging in. That is pleasing. The sixes are always pleasing. I went in the same mentality like I did against MI. Wanted to go hard with the new ball. We had a decent break from the last game. We normally have a quick turnaround. I cut down on the bowling part in the break to remain fresh.”

Post-match talk: KXIP skipper KL Rahul

“It was a horrible toss to lose with the amount of dew later on. It did get very very easy to bat on. The wrist spinners want the ball to be dry and get some grip off the surface but with the dew it got really difficult. On a sticky wicket, as it was when we batted, this was not a bad total. We didn’t bowl badly, but we need to learn to bowl better with the wet ball. The dew has been unpredictable. We spoke to the groundsman, and he said there was no dew last game. You can’t prepare for it, but you have to be able to adapt to that. It has been the kind of season where nothing has come easy. We have had to work hard for every point. No surprise that it has come down to the last game.”

After 17.3 overs,Rajasthan Royals 186/3 ( Steven Smith (C) 31 , Jos Buttler 22)

Rajasthan Royals win by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare! Buttler smashes the ball straight over the bowler’s head for a maximum off the second, and brings the equation down to just one with a brace off the third. Jordan then concedes a wide off the fourth to bring the match to a rather anti-climactic end, as Steve Smith’s men keep their campaign alive!

After 17 overs,Rajasthan Royals 175/3 ( Steven Smith (C) 30 , Jos Buttler 14)

Shami returns to the attack, but is hammered for runs as Smith brings the equation down to less than run-a-ball with three hits to the fence off the first four delivery. The skipper nearly gets run out off the fifth while scampering off for a quick single. Buttler ends the over with a heave towards the vacant midwicket boundary for a four. 19 off the over, with Rajasthan nearly at the finish line now, needing 11 off 18.

After 16 overs,Rajasthan Royals 156/3 ( Steven Smith (C) 15 , Jos Buttler 10)

Jordan returns to the attack as the match enters its business end. Buttler punches the ball through extra cover for a brace off the first delivery. The England all-rounder gives away just two runs off the next four deliveries, and just when it seems he’ll walk away with a superb over, Buttler sends the ball sailing over long on for a maximum. RR need 30 off 24.

After 15 overs,Rajasthan Royals 146/3 ( Steven Smith (C) 15 , Jos Buttler 1)

Punjab keep their chances in this game alive as a direct hit by substitute fielder Suchith results in Samson falling short of his half-century by just two runs. Rahul, however, caves in to a request for a review from Bishnoi after an unsuccessful appeal for lbw against Buttler. Wasted one, as the ball’s pitching outside leg, with the captain never looking convinced with that one. Good over from Bishnoi to close out his quota though, giving away just two runs for the runout to sign off with 0/27. Rajasthan need another 40 off 30 with seven wickets in hand — what should still be an easy chase for them.

OUT! Sanju Samson falls short of the crease at the striker’s end after responding to a call from Smith for a quick single as Rajasthan lose a wicket against the run of play! Superb throw by substitute Suchith at point that results in a direct hit. RR 145/3

Samson run out (sub (Suchith)) 48(25)

After 14 overs,Rajasthan Royals 144/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 47 , Steven Smith (C) 15)

A dot and a single off the first two deliveries of the over as Jordan returns to the attack. The ball deflects off Samson’s pad off the third, but is signalled a boundary by the umpire as the batsman. Fine save by Arshdeep near deep backward point off the fourth to restrict Samson to a brace. Single off the fifth, followed by a boundary to Smith off the last ball. RR need 42 off 36 with eight wickets in hand.

After 13 overs,Rajasthan Royals 132/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 40 , Steven Smith (C) 10)

Single off each of the first two deliveries as Ashwin enters his final over. Smith edges the ball wide of the keeper, with Arshdeep doing well at short third man to save a run or two — or even three — for his side with a dive to his left. There is little the fielders can do in the last two deliveries of the over as Samson muscles the ball over deep midwicket and through cover to collect a six and a four respectively. Ashwin signs off with figures of 1/43, as Rajasthan are left with 54 off 42.

After 12 overs,Rajasthan Royals 119/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 29 , Steven Smith (C) 8)

Smith works the ball behind square on the leg side for a brace off the first delivery, and follows it up with a well-timed slog-sweep down the ground to collect a boundary off the next. Bishnoi keeps it tight thereafter, giving away just a single off the remaining four deliveries. RR need 67 off 48.

After 11 overs,Rajasthan Royals 112/2 ( Sanju Samson (W) 29 , Steven Smith (C) 1)

Ashwin back into the attack. Excited appeal for caught-behind by Rahul after an attempted reverse-hit by Uthappa off the third, but the umpire’s not interested. Uthappa crouches low and smacks the ball over cow corner off the fourth to collect his second six, but perishes off the next delivery while attempting to make it consecutive hits over the fence, this time getting caught by Pooran at deep midwicket to depart for 30. Skipper Steve Smith walks out to bat next with his side needing 74 off 54 with 8 wickets in hand.

OUT! Uthappa looks to make it back-to-back hits over the fence, but this time he fails to get the distance as Pooran collects an easy catch at deep midwicket. RR 111/2

Uthappa c Pooran b Ashwin 30(23)

After 10 overs,Rajasthan Royals 103/1 ( Robin Uthappa 23 , Sanju Samson (W) 28)

Bishnoi starts off his second over with a wide down the leg side. Samson brings up the team hundred with his second six of the innings, launching the ball into the orbit off a loopy delivery from the leg-spinner off the third ball. 10 off the over. Rajasthan are coasting at the halfway mark in what was supposed to be a challenging run chase.

After 9 overs,Rajasthan Royals 93/1 ( Robin Uthappa 21 , Sanju Samson (W) 21)

Arshdeep given another shot in the middle-overs phase, although he starts off on an expensive note as a back-of-length delivery is smashed over the midwicket fence by Samson. Single off each of the next four delivery, before the Rajasthan keeper-bat steers a full delivery towards the third man fence for his second four. Timeout signalled at the end of the over.

After 8 overs,Rajasthan Royals 79/1 ( Robin Uthappa 19 , Sanju Samson (W) 9)

Spin from both ends now as Ravi Bishnoi is brought into the attack. Uthappa reverse-sweeps the ball through the gap between backward point and short third man off the last delivery to somewhat ruin what was turning out to be a fine over for the young leg-spinner.

After 7 overs,Rajasthan Royals 71/1 ( Robin Uthappa 13 , Sanju Samson (W) 7)

A much better over for Murugan Ashwin after going for 16 runs in his first, giving away just six off this one as Uthappa and Samson keep the scoreboard ticking through singles after the field spreads out.

After 6 overs,Rajasthan Royals 66/1 ( Robin Uthappa 10 , Sanju Samson (W) 5)

Chris Jordan introduced into the attack. Stokes brings up his 2nd IPL fifty off just 24 balls with his third six of the innings, clearing long off this time. Jordan, however, gets rid of his England teammate two balls later as a Stokes miscue results in a simple catch to Hooda at mid off. Samson walks out to bat next, and collects his first boundary off the last delivery of the over. Solid start for Rajasthan as they collect 66 runs from the powerplay.

Chris Jordan this IPL:

First four matches: 1 wicket
Next four matches: 7 wickets (Including Stokes’ wicket)

OUT! Stokes departs just two balls after bringing up his half-century as he England teammate Chris Jordan gets the breakthrough! Looks to clear another full delivery over mid off, but doesn’t get any timing, resulting in a simple catch for Hooda inside the circle. RR 60/1

Stokes c Hooda b Jordan 50(26)