Andre Russell’s pyrotechnics proved to be too little too late in the end as Gujarat Titans defended a small total to clinch a dramatic eight-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL thriller on Saturday. With 12 points already in its kitty, the Titans are looking good for a playoff berth in its inception year. KKR’s top and middle order batters failed miserably in the wake of a clinical bowling display from the Titans with only Rinku Singh scoring 35 and it was left to Russell (48 off 25 balls) to go for a win and the West Indian nearly did it only to fail in the last over. Chasing 157 for a win, KKR ended their innings at 148 for 8 after Russell was out in the second ball of the final over.
Punjab beat Chennai by 11 runs
Punjab Kings went in with a more calculated batting approach led by the dependable Shikhar Dhawan, whose ninth half-century against Chennai Super Kings helped his side romp home by 11 runs, overcoming Ambati Rayudu’s single-handed effort. Tottering at 40/3, Chennai needed the experience of Rayudu, whose 78 off 39 balls, comprising seven fours and six massive sixes, seemed to get the chase of 188 back on track. But it was the disciplined effort of the Punjab bowlers, especially Kagiso Rabada and comeback man Rishi Dhawan, that pulled the red and gold brigade back into the match.
Eighth successive loss for MI
KL Rahul once again proved to be Mumbai Indians’ nemesis as his magnificent second hundred set up a comfortable 36-run win for Lucknow Super Giants’ and in turn knocked the five-time champions out of this edition of IPL. Rahul continued his fairytale run against MI, slamming an unbeaten 103 off 62 balls with the help of 12 fours and four maximums as LSG posted 168 for 6 after being invited to bat at the Wankhade stadium. In reply, Rohit Sharma looked good during his 31-ball 39 but MI suffered a collapse once again to slump to 67 for four.
Buttler helps RR beat Delhi Capitals
A clinical bowling performance – after Jos Buttler blasted a 65-ball 116 – helped Rajasthan Royals defend 222/2 against Delhi Capitals to register a 15-run victory in Match 34 of the IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Prasidh Krishna finished with 3/22, while R Ashwin ended with 2/32 as Royals weathered some anxious moments as they defended their big total to register their fifth win of the season. Buttler had set up the victory by stroking to his third century of IPL 2022 and Devdutt Padikkal contributed a superb 54 as Rajasthan Royals posted a massive 222/2 in 20 overs, the highest score of this season so far. They then came back to restrict Delhi Capitals to 207-8 in 20 overs to seal the win.
Delhi Capitals demolish Punjab Kings
Delhi Capitals showed remarkable resilience and hand Punjab Kings a nine-wicket thrashing on Wednesday. Delhi, who had a chaotic build up to the game with a sixth Covid positive case being reported on the morning of the game, dished out a clinical bowling display to bowl out Punjab Kings for a below-par 115. On a track where the deliveries were holding up a bit, even Lalit Yadav became unplayable leave alone Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Delhi seemed in real hurry to close the game with Prithvi Shaw (41 off 20) and David Warner (60 not out off 30 balls) getting them off to a flying start. Their 83-run partnership off 39 balls ensured Delhi cantered to victory in 10.3 overs, giving a big boost to their net run rate. Earlier, the Delhi spin trio of Lalit (2/11), Kuldeep (2/24) and Axar (2/10) did the bulk of the damage. Punjab were tottering at 35/2 after losing openers Mayank Agarwal (24) and Shikhar Dhawan (9) early.
RCB beat LSG
Royal Challengers Bangalore rode on skipper Faf du Plessis’ breezy 96 and Josh Hazlewood’s brilliant bowling to inflict an 18-run defeat on Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old du Plessis roared back to form after a string of low scores with a 64-ball knock to help RCB post 181 for six after being sent into bat. Pace spearhead Hazlewood (4/25) then picked two wickets upfront and two at the fag end as RCB restricted LSG to 163 for eight to register their fifth win of the season. RCB are now second in the points table while LSG slumped to fourth.
Hazlewood rocked LSG’s chase early on as he bowled a fine opening spell. Using the bounce and movement on offer, he accounted for the dangerous Quinton de Kock (3) and Manish Pandey (6) in quick time.
