Highlights, IPL 2018, Match 38: Rahul's unbeaten 84 leads Kings XI Punjab to easy win over Rajasthan Royals

IPL 2018, KXIP vs RR Highlights

KINGS XI PUNJAB vs RAJASTHAN ROYALS: Hello and welcome to our live ipl cricket coverage of the match no. 38 of Indian Premier League 2018 between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Done and dusted in style! Take a bow, KL Rahul! Tremendous batting effort by the opener. So far in this season, he provided brisk starts to his team and today showed his other side of the game as he anchored this chase and steered Punjab closer to the playoff berth. Rajasthan will be deeply disappointed at the moment as once again they failed to cross the line. Their season is just refusing to take off. It wasn't a usual dashing performance upfront by Punjab in their innings. In fact, it was a subdued one. Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal departed in quick succession and the hosts ended up with their lowest Powerplay score of the season. Rajasthan had the upper hand at that stage of the match but the combination of Rahul and Nair raised a fifty stand to keep the chase on track. Just when it seemed that the pair of Rahul and Nair will run away with the show, Anureet Singh struck to send the latter back to the pavilion. The promotion of Axar Patel didn't go as per the plan for Punjab but the presence of KL Rahul in the middle meant that they were always hopeful. Eventually, he got an ally in Marcus Stoinis and together they overhauled the target with 8 balls to spare. Credit should be given to Rajasthan for trying hard but they didn't have enough runs in the bank. Still, their bowlers fared exceedingly well to create immense pressure but towards the end they gave it away. Till the second strategic break, the visitors were in with a chance but Stoinis and Rahul changed gears after that to earn an easy win. (CRICKET STREAMING - KXIP vs RR) (SCORECARD) (IPL Full Coverage)

HIGHLIGHTS, KINGS XI PUNJAB vs RAJASTHAN ROYALS, IPL 2018, MATCH 38 FROM INDORE

23.35 IST: 

23.27 IST: FOUR! That is it! Game, set and match! Full toss on the stumps, Rahul plays a drive on the up through the covers. Once again, timing and placement was exquisite from Rahul and the ball speeds away to the boundary. PUNJAB WIN BY 6 WICKETS AND 8 BALLS TO SPARE!  Kings XI Punjab (155/4) beat Rajasthan Royals (152/9) by 6 wickets

23.25 IST: SIX! Biggie! Super shot, Rahul wants to finish this game quickly! This one is pitched right in the slot and Rahul hammers it in emphatic style over the long on fence for a half a dozen. KXIP 149/4 in 18.2 overs

23.23 IST: FOUR! Well placed and the ball races away to the fence! Too much width on offer and Rahul cuts it past the man at backward point. The fielder dives to his right but he is unable to stop that one.  KXIP 140/4 in 17.5 overs

23.22 IST: SIX! SHOT!! Rahul hits the maximum with disdain over the fine leg fence! Short ball into the pads, he moves inside the line of it and hits it into the second tier.  KXIP 136/4 in 17.4 overs

23.19 IST: 

23.18 IST: FIFTY! SIX! Cracking shot! Fifty to Rahul, his seventh Indian Premier League fifty! subdued celebration from the Punjab opener as he is well aware that the job is not done yet! Short of a length ball outside off, Rahul makes room for himself and upper cuts it over third man fence for a six. Kings XI Punjab 123/4 in 16.4 overs vs Rajasthan Royals (152/9)

23.15 IST: FOUR! Pumped through the covers! Archer bowls a full toss on the stumps, Stoinis backs away a little and hammers it hard past the man at extra cover. The ball speeds away to the boundary. KXIP 116/4 in 16.2 overs

23.14 IST: Slower ball from Stokes, full on the stumps, Stoinis goes hard at it. He manages to squirt that off the inner half to short fine leg for a single. 8 runs from the over.   KXIP 110/4 in 16 overs

Ben Stokes comes for the new spell.

23.07 IST: This game is nicely poised at the moment. 51 needed off 30 balls. KL Rahul holds the key but he will need support from the other end. Rajasthan have a few good death bowlers and let's see how they fare in this crunch situation. We're in for an entertaining finish and that's for sure.

Strategic break.

23.06 IST: NOT OUT is the call from the TV umpire! There wasn't enough evidence to suggest whether the catch taken by Samson was clean. Short of a length ball and Stoinis backs away to cut that, he slices it to backward point. Samson dives forward and goes for it with both the hands though fails to get his fingers underneath that one. KXIP 101/4 in 14.4 overs

23.02 IST: Sanju Samson is claiming a catch! He starts to celebrate straightaway, but the umpires aren't convinced and the soft-signal is NOT-OUT! Soft-signal is very important in such cases as now the TV umpire will need to have a conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field call. What will be the decision final decision?  

22.59 IST: FOUR! Outside edge and the ball quickly flies past the keeper! 100 up for Punjab with that boundary! Short of a length ball, angling across nicely, Stoinis is looking to punch that, he gets a thick edge past the keeper and the ball races away to the third man fence.  KXIP 100/4 in 14.3 overs

22.56 IST: SIX! Finally, Stoinis connects one and sends it searing over the long on fence! Loopy delivery right in his arc and the Aussie smokes it over the ropes for half a dozen.  KXIP 94/4 in 13.5 overs

Marcus Stoinis the next man in for Punjab.

22.51 IST: OUT! Gowtham removes Axar Patel for 4. Kings XI Punjab 87/4 in 12.5 overs vs Rajasthan Royals (152/9)

22.48 IST: Shortish delivery outside off from Unadkat, Rahul goes across to flick that. He mistimes it down the track, Unadkat runs across and prevents the single.  KXIP 83/3 in 12 overs

Axar Patel walks out to bat.

22.42 IST: OUT! Bowled 'em! Nair has chopped one on to his pegs! Maiden wicket for Anureet Singh as a Rajasthan player. This is one wicket the visitors were desperately looking for. Wasn't the greatest of delivery just that Singh took some pace off it. Nair goes for the pull, he was quite early into the shot and gets a fat bottom edge and unluckily for him the ball goes straight on to the stumps. Kings XI Punjab 79/3 in 10.5 overs vs Rajasthan Royals (152/9)

22.40 IST: SIX! Grand strike from Nair! Stunning pick-up shot from the stylish right-hander! Length ball on the pads, he went across and whacks it over the square leg fence for a biggie.  KXIP 77/2 in 10.2 overs

22.37 IST: SIX! Classy shot from Karun Nair! He dances down the track to that loopy delivery and lifts it neat and clear over covers. Did that hit the boundary cushion on the full? Replays are in and yes it has hit on the full. That's half a dozen.  KXIP 68/2 in 10 overs

22.32 IST: FOUR! Smart shot from Rahul! Width on offer and Rahul plays a square cut. He just manages to beat the man at backward point who dives to his left but fails to stop it.  KXIP 58/2 in 9 overs

22.31 IST: 

22.28 IST: Anureet Singh comes into the attack. Make his debut for Rajasthan and he would be hoping to make his mark.

22.25 IST: 

22.23 IST: FOUR! Pulled away with utter disdain! Flatter ball on the stumps, Rahul clears his front leg out of the way and pulls it hard away to the mid-wicket boundary. KXIP 47/2 in 7.2 overs

22.20 IST: FOUR! Wonderful strike from Nair! Overpitched delivery on the stumps, Nair offers the full face of the bat and powers it back past his partner. The ball races away to the long on fence. KXIP 39/2 in 6.2 overs

22.15 IST: 

22.14 IST: FOUR! Back of a length ball outside off, Nair slaps it hard to third man. Gopal slides to his left but wasn't successful in stopping that one.

22.12 IST: Karun Nair is the next man in.

22.11 IST: OUT! Stokes to Mayank Agarwal for 2. Stokes strikes! Mayank has hit one straight to the man at deep square leg. He nailed the pull shot to perfection but unfortunately hits it to the man in the deep. Tripathi doesn't have to move an inch and takes a safe catch in the deep. Just the kind of start Rajasthan needed with the new ball, they have got important couple of wickets inside the Powerplay. Kings XI Punjab 29/2 in 4.4 overs vs Rajasthan Royals (152/9).

22.06 IST: Mayank Agarwal walks out to bat.

22.05 IST: OUT! Archer removes Gayle for 8. Where is the ball? It is in the hands of someone. Who is he? Samson, you beauty! Samson takes an absolute blinder! Gayle feels the pain, he smashed it with all his might but hits it straight to the fielder at backward point. Samson had the guts to his hands up to catch that and he comes out unharmed after taking the catch! Gayle made room for himself and dismissed with serious power. No Gayle storm today for the Punjab fans! Kings XI Punjab 23/1 in 3.2 overs vs Rajasthan Royals (152/9).

22.03 IST: FOUR! Hammered away by Gayle! Shows the young man whose the boss! Bowls it full on off, backs away a little and smashes it brutually through the covers.

21.58 IST: FOUR! Over the in-field! Backs away to a short of a length delivery and slaps it over cover-point for a boundary, the first one of the chase.

21.55 IST: KXIP 1/0 in 1 over. Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Gayle, no run. Flatter ball on the off stump line, Gayle backs away and cuts it to the man at backward point.

21.50 IST: Welcome back for the run chase. 153 is what Punjab need to get over the line. One would feel it would be a stroll in the park for them. Let's see if it happens or now. Out walk Chris Gayle and KL Rahul to open the batting. The duo have scored 5 consecutive 50-plus stands this season. Will they emulate? Krishnappa Gowtham to have a go with the ball first up.

21.39 IST: 

21.37 IST: OUT! Direct hit from Rahul and Gopal is well short! RAJASTHAN FINISH WITH 152! Bowls a slower ball outside off stump, the batsman swings his bat early and misses it. The Rajasthan pair look to steal a bye but the keeper was alert to the occasion and underarms the ball on the stumps. End of a superb bowling performance from Punjab. Rajasthan Royals post 152/9 in 20 overs against Kings XI Punjab. Buttler 51, Mujeeb 3/27, Tye 2/24

21.32 IST: FOUR! Welcome runs for Rajasthan! Too full and outside off, Gopal bends his knees a little and slices the drive over the man at point. The ball just speeds away to the fence. RR 146/8 in 18.4 overs

21.31 IST: FOUR! Useful runs for Rajasthan! Back-to-back boundaries! Good length ball outside off, Gopal slashes hard at that one, gets a thick edge over the man at short third man for a boundary. RR 142/8 in 18.3 overs

Ankit Rajpoot to bowl the 19th over.

21.28 IST: FOUR! That's raced away! Rajasthan need many more of these. Low full toss, dipping in on middle and leg, Gopal clears his front leg and hits it with timing down the ground for a boundary. RR 137/8 in 18 overs

21.35 IST: 

Jaydev Unadkat is the new man in.

21.23 IST: OUT! Tye comes and picks up a wicket! Rajasthan are falling like a pack of cards! Rolls his fingers over the ball, lands it on a length outside off, Rahul Tripathi is early into his lofted drive and ends up mistiming it high in the air. Ashwin at extra cover backtracks a bit and takes it safely at the edge of the circle. Rajasthan Royals 129/8 in 17.1 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

21.20 IST: 

21.19 IST: FOUR! Well placed! Much better over for Rajasthan! Short of a length ball outside off, Tripathi gets right on top of the bounce and slaps it hard behind the man at backward point. The ball just speeds away to the fence. RR 123/7 in 16 overs

Shreyas Gopal walks out to bat.

21.15 IST: OUT! Another one bites the dust! Rajasthan continue to lose their way! This is an irresponsible stroke from Gowtham, his team desperately needed him to stay out there. Shortish delivery, angling into him at pace. The batsman was cramped for room as he pulls. He splices that one to mid-wicket and Stoinis inside the circle takes an absolute dolly. Seventh wicket down for Rajasthan. Will they last 20-overs? RR 114/7 in 15.2 overs

21.09 IST: 

21.08 IST: 

Krishnappa Gowthan walks out to bat.

21.06 IST: OUT! Two in two for Mujeeb! He is on a hat-trick! Archer is completely foxed by that one. This one came back into the batsman, who was expecting it to go away. Leaves a huge gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and hits the timber. Rajasthan lose their six-wicket, they need to stabilize this innings which is going nowhere at the moment. Rajasthan Royals 106/6 in 14.2 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

Jofra Archer walks out to bat.

21.04 IST: OUT! Mujeeb gets a massive breakthrough! Another body blow to Rajasthan! Just after reaching to the landmark Buttler departs, lapse concentration, maybe? Punjab will take it anyway. Flatter ball, quicker ball from Mujeeb which bounces slightly more than Buttler anticipated. He went back to cut that, gets a thick edge to the keeper. Rahul holds on to a sharp chance. Rajasthan Royals 106/5 in 14.1 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

21.00 IST: FOUR! FIFTY! Back-to-back to fifties to Jos Buttler! He has once again proven his worth! Flatter ball outside off, goes on the back foot and square cuts it really hard through point for a boundary. Rajasthan Royals 104/4 in 13 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

20.57 IST: OUT! Stunning effort from the two Punjab boys in the deep! Simply magnificent! This will go down as one of the best catches of the tournament! Game-changing moment! Stokes goes on the back foot and lofts it away to long off. He doesn't get enough power behind it and gets caught by Mayank inside the long off fence. Momentum was taking him over the line, so he quickly flicks it to his mate running in from long on. Manoj takes it safely and Punjab rejoice the wicket! Rajasthan Royals 100/4 in 12.5 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

20.56 IST: FOUR! Superb shot! Stokes reaches out for that one and plays a reverse sweep to perfection. He manages to get that past the man at the short third man for a boundary. RR 98/3 in 12.2 overs

20.54 IST: FOUR! Brilliant stroke from Stokes! He stands tall and forces it through the covers. The ball speed away to the fence. RR 94/3 in 12 overs

Ben Stokes walks out to bat.

20.49 IST: OUT! Samson departs! He has offered a catch straight to Nair at square leg! 49 run partnership between Samson and Buttler ends with that! Short of a length ball on the middle and leg stump line, Samson was confident of clearing the square leg boundary. He hits that one pretty flat and finds the fielder in the deep. Nair settles himself and grabs it neatly. Punjab should look to capitalize on this breakthrough! Rajasthan Royals 84/3 in 10.5 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

20.45 IST: Shortish delivery outside off from Stoinis, Jos Buttler taps it in front of backward point. Wanted a run but it was never on. 6 runs from the over. RR 81/2 in 19 overs

Change in bowling as Marcus Stoinis comes into the attack.

20.40 IST: FOUR! He's hit that well. 9 coming from Tye's first over. Short and angling in on middle and leg, Jos pulls it through the backward square leg and it beats the dive of the fielder in the deep with ease. He's looking ominous. RR 75/2 in 9 overs

Andrew Tye is brought into the attack.

20.35 IST: 

Strategic break!

20.34 IST: Samson takes a stride ahead and pats it through cover to keep strike. RR 66/2 in 8 overs

20.31 IST: FOUR! Glorious! A bit too full in length, Samson presses forward and drills one off the carpet through extra cover. No need to run for those. RR 61/2 in 7.1 overs

Axar is back on.

20.29 IST: FOUR! Shot! Ash bowls a half-tracker outside off, SS camps back and cuts it solidly through backward point. RR 56/2 in 6.5 overs

20.28 IST: SIX! Tonk! That's what the sound made of the bat. Flatter one on the stumps, Sanju stays deep in the crease and smacks it over the long on fence for half a dozen. RR 52/2 in 6.3 overs

20.27 IST: NOT OUT! Impact is outside the line! Buttler survives a scare and he should thank Samson who asked him to take the DRS. Floated delivery around off, Jos gets into the position to play the reverse sweep but misses to get rapped on the pads. A loud appeal follows and it's upheld by the umpire. Buttler has a chat with Sanju and he sends it upstairs. There is no inside edge and Ball Tracker shows the impact to be outside the off stump. The on-field call has to be overturned. RR 45/2 in 6.1 overs

20.26 IST: Buttler has been adjudged LBW but the on-field umpire. He has a chat with Samson and then opts for the DRS.

Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.

20.22 IST: Tight over from Mujeeb, just 5 from the over. Axar fires it full and outside off, Samson looks to cut but fails to get any wood on it. RR 42/2 in 5 overs

Sanju Samson is in next.

20.18 IST: 

20.17 IST: OUT! That's a clean take from Chris Gayle! Two wickets inside the Powerplay and Rajasthan are dented early. Flatter through the air, a bit shorter in length and served around off. Rahane goes deep in the crease to cut that away but there is a bit of zip and bounce on this one which takes the outside edge and lobs towards short third man. Galye stationed there, dives forward and takes it inches above the ground as the ball was dying in front of him. The big man gets his fingers under the ball and starts to celebrate. The umpire refers it upstairs and replays show it's a neat work from the Universe Boss. Rajasthan Royals 35/2 in 3.4 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

20.15 IST: Has Gayle taken a blinder? Seems like and he is claiming as well. However, the umpire wants to be sure and hence the ask for some help from the TV umpire. Rahane is the man in question....

Axar Patel into the attack.

20.12 IST: FOUR! Anything short and it's put away by Jos Buttler. Rocks back and flays it square on the off side. RR 31/1 in 2.4 overs

Change in bowling. Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes into the attack.

20.10 IST: 

20.09 IST: FOUR! More runs! 17 off the over, what an over for Rajasthan after an early loss of Short. Back of a length delivery on middle, Jos sits back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Away she races for a boundary, 4th off the over. RR 24/1 in 2 overs

20.08 IST: FOUR! Slashed! Short of a length delivery outside off, Buttler slaps it with disdain behind point for a boundary.  RR 20/1 in 1.5 overs

20.06 IST: FOUR! Pummelled! Short of a length delivery on middle, Buttler swivels inside the crease and pulls it non-nonchalantly over mid-wicket for a boundary. RR 12/1 in 1.2 overs

Ajinkya Rahane is the next man in.

20.03 IST: FOUR! Crunched! Wicket on the last ball but it doesn't matter to Buttler. Flatter ball outside off, Jos rocks back and punches it neatly through the gap at extra cover for a boundary. RR 7/1 in 0.4 overs

20.01 IST: OUT! Straight up in the air! Smart piece of bowling from Ashwin. He slows it through the air, lands it around middle and leg, D'Arcy Short has a slog across the line but is done in by the slowness on the ball. Gets a big top edge as the ball goes high up in the air towards mid on. Andrew Tye settles underneath it and takes a good reverse cup catch. Another failure for Short. Early strike for the hosts.

Rajasthan Royals 3/1 in 0.3 overs vs Kings XI Punjab

19.56 IST: It's time to get underway. The umpires and players have made their way out to the middle. Rajasthan have once again given Jos Buttler to open the batting along with D'Arcy Short. Ravichandran Ashwin to roll his arm first up. Get. Set. Go.

19.45 IST: 

19.42 IST: 

19.40 IST: Rajasthan skipper, Ajinkya Rahane it's all about giving your best now and are looking forward to bat first. Reckons the preparations have been good and it's all about the execution now. Informs they have made one change - Anureet Singh replaces Dhawal Kulkarni for them.

19.38 IST: Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin feels the wicket looks good and wants to have a go with the ball first. States the pitch looks better than the last one and is expecting a high-scoring game tonight. Informs they have made one big change - Manoj Tiwary replaces Yuvraj Singh.

19.35 IST: 

19.32 IST: TOSS - Kings XI Punjab win toss, opt to bowl against Rajasthan Royals in Indore

19.25 IST: Two shrewd cricketing minds-  

19.15 IST: 

18.56 IST: 

18.51 IST: 

18.40 IST: 

18.35 IST: 

18.30 IST: 

Brief Preview: Mid-table side Kings XI Punjab will look to get their campaign back on track after a couple of defeats when they lock horns with bottom-placed Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Sunday at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. While Kings XI Punjab are placed fourth in the table with five wins and three losses from eight appearances, inaugural edition winners Rajasthan Royals are last with three victories and five defeats.

Like KXIP, RR too are coming off two straight defeats, but the Punjab outfit is placed much than its next opponents and is pretty much in with a chance to qualify for the playoffs. While they would regret letting Mumbai Indians off the hook at the Holkar International Stadium last night, Kings XI Punjab have a side capable of making a turnaround. (Read Full Match Preview)