Royals lord over Kings XI
The Rajasthan Royals stayed in touch with the Indian Premier League playoff candidates as they secured a comfortable 43-run victory over the Kings XI.
The Rajasthan Royals stayed in touch with the Indian Premier League playoff candidates as they secured a comfortable 43-run victory over the Kings XI Punjab on Saturday.
Led by their captain Rahul Dravid and Australia duo Shane Watson and Brad Hodge, the Royals posted a formidable total of 177 for six after winning the toss and opting to bat first in Mohali.
The Kings XI never looked like chasing it successfully, with only Shaun Marsh threatening briefly with 34 from 27 balls.
The left-hander found no support, however, with Mandeep Singh, Ntini Saini and David Hussey all falling for single-figure scores.
That meant that when Johan Botha got the better of Marsh with a quicker one in the ninth over of the reply, the Kings XI were 59 for four and on a hiding to nothing.
Azhar Mahmood (24) and Gurkeerat Singh (23) did their best to revive the innings, but the scoreboard pressure got the better of them and the rest of the Punjab line-up failed as they finished on 134 for eight.
The Rajasthan innings, by contrast, was strong throughout thanks to Dravid, who top-scored with 46 from 39 balls.
He shared in partnerships with Watson (36) and Ashok Menaria (34) before he was caught at third man off the bowling of Ryan Harris.
Menaria and Hodge (36) kept the momentum rolling, before Botha finished the innings with a couple of boundaries.
The result saw Rajasthan move above the Kings XI on net run rate, with both sides tied on 10 points apiece after 11 games.
Latest
-
NewsEngland chasing 74 to win first Test against Sri Lanka
Jack Leach’s five wickets ended the home side’s resistance.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews half-century holds up England’s bid for first Test victory
Sri Lanka were 302 for seven at tea for a lead of 16 runs.
-
NewsSri Lanka close in on England’s lead behind century from Lahiru Thirimanne
Sri Lanka trail by 44 at lunch on day three of the first Test.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day Three: Joe Root at the double but Sri Lanka show grit
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
NewsJack Leach admits there is room for improvement as Sri Lanka frustrate England
Leach and Sam Curran struck for the tourists in the hosts’ second innings.
-
NewsJoe Root’s double century keeps England in command despite rally from Sri Lanka
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
NewsEngland captain Joe Root reaches fine double century before Sri Lanka fight back
Root was the last man out for England after scoring 228 to record a fourth double ton for his country.
-
NewsCaptain Joe Root completes fine double century as England build formidable lead
Root became only the fifth England player to score a Test double hundred in Asia.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
NewsNine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.