Rajasthan Royals (RR) lived to fight another day with a 15-run win over Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) as KL Rahul’s unbeaten 95, coming amidst a surprise batting meltdown, went in vain in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 game on Tuesday night.
Opting to bat in this must-win game, RR could only muster 158 for eight despite Jos Buttler’s blazing 58-ball 82 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
The home team, however, staged a strong fightback with the ball as it restricted Punjab to 143 for seven in their quota of 20 overs.
RR then reduced KXIP to 19 for three in the fourth over and the visitors struggled to recover from the horrendous start, as they soon found themselves stuttering at 45 for four and then 66 for five, with eight overs left.
For Punjab, Rahul played the lone ranger with 95 off 70 balls, his fourth half-century of the ongoing league. KXIP needed 32 runs in the last over and Rahul’s six and two fours were not enough for a win.
Here’s how cricket fraternity and fans reacted to the match:
Really well played @josbuttler happy for you to get man of the match and no doubt class is always class wonderful to watch @klrahul11
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) May 8, 2018
Wonderful innings from KL Rahul in that surface, reduced the margin of defeat considerably. But Rajasthan Royals will be delighted with this win. They are still in it and if they play to potential they could still make it to the top 4 #RRvKXIP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 8, 2018
Lone warrior @klrahul11 -well played! May the form continue!
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 8, 2018
Congratulations @rajasthanroyals & @ajinkyarahane88 on the Victory !! Well played @josbuttler & @klrahul11 #RRvKXIP
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 8, 2018
Highest unbeaten scores in a losing cause while chasing in IPL:
95* – LOKESH RAHUL v RR, Jaipur, 2018*
94* – Naman Ojha v CSK, Chennai, 2010
92* – Virat Kohli v MI, Mumbai, 2018#RRvKXIP— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 8, 2018
KL has scored 65% (95) of the Team's runs (143) while facing 58% (70) of the total balls (120).
That's Charles Bannerman-esque. #RRvKXIP #KXIP #RR
— @ravimaestri (@ravimaestri) May 8, 2018
Rajasthan Royals Beat KL Rahul By 63 Runs. It Was One Man Vs Entire Team. Truly Deserved A Win And A Century. You Gotta Feel For Him. #RRvKXIP #RRvsKXIP
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) May 8, 2018
82 – @josbuttler has just recorded his highest ever T20 score (82 off 58 balls); he's now scored 50+ in 5 of his last 6 T20 innings as an opener. Optimal. #IPL #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/RcUouwlEko
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) May 8, 2018
Jos the Boss awarded Man of the Match for his stellar 8⃣2⃣ (58) 🔥
Lots more to come! 💥#RRvKXIP #JazbaJeetKa #HallaBol #VIVOIPL @josbuttler pic.twitter.com/e35ryi4BHK— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 8, 2018
KL Rahul + Jos Buttler = 177 runs.
Rest of the players = 124 runs.#RRvKXIP
— Nikhil Mane 🏏🇦🇺 (@nikhiltait) May 8, 2018
Buttler in powerplay—205 SR
Buttler outside powerplay—103 SR #RRvKXIP #IPL— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 8, 2018
Jos Buttler in IPL:
First 31 innings: 1 fifty
Next 3 innings: 3 fifties#RRvKXIP #IPL2018— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) May 8, 2018
Jos Buttler's innings power RR to 15 run win over KXIP#KXIPvRR #RRvKXIP #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/8FFeO5HBtR
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/The1shadab/status/993916821077028864
Lokesh Rahul the Orange Cap holder.
Andrew Tye the Purple Cap holder.
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 8, 2018
