The Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur hosted the fourth game of the season that saw Rajasthan Royals hosting Kings XI Punjab. The game swung like a pendulum as both teams were in with a chance every now and then. But the visitors won their first game at the venue in IPL history and got the campaign to a winning start.
Kings XI found themselves batting after Ajinkya Rahane elected to bowl after winning the toss. They lost KL Rahul for just 4 off the 4th ball of the game. Chris Gayle was joined by Mayank Agarwal and the duo took their time to get in. After 6 overs, KXIP reached 32/1.
Agarwal’s stay ended for 22 from 24 balls as Krishnappa Gowtham sent him back in the 9th over. Sarfaraz Khan was the new man and he also took some time to get his eye in. Gayle was opting for a subdued approach thus far but he unleashed himself after the run-rate wasn’t flourishing.
He went after Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes. The opener was shaping up for the three-figure mark but had to walk back for 79 from 47 balls as Stokes accounted for his wicket. Sarfaraz then took the matters into his own hand and provided a good finish. Due to his 46 from 29 balls, KXIP finished with a competitive total of 184/4.
RR was cruising in the powerplay as Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler took charge. They added 78 runs from the first 8 overs and provided the perfect start for a big chase. Rahane fell for 27 but Buttler kept going. He brought up his fifty and was looking set to win the game for the side.
But Ashwin ran him out at the non-striker’s end by mankading him for 69 from 43 balls. The controversial dismissal triggered a collapse in the RR camp. They lost wickets in heaps and no batsman carried on till the end. After the completion of 20 overs, the hosts found themselves 14 runs short of KXIP.
RR vs KXIP Match Summary
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first
Kings XI Punjab:Â 184/4 in 20 overs
Chris Gayle 79 (47), Sarfaraz Khan 46* (29)
Ben Stokes 48/2 (4), Dhawal Kulkarni 30/1 (4)
Rajasthan Royals:Â 170/9 in 20 overs
Jos Buttler 69 (43), Sanju Samson 30 (25)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 31/2 (4), Ankit Rajpoot 33/2 (4)
Kings XI Punjab won by 14 runs
Player of the Match: Chris Gayle
Twitter hailed Gayle but slammed Ashwin
@henrygayle is 39 years old. But looks like he is getting younger with age. What form he has hit since the @englandcricket series. #RRvKXIP #RRvsKXIP #IPL2019
— Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/cricketaakash/status/1110202658457976832
Least innings to score 4,000 IPL runs:
111 – Chris Gayle*
114 – David Warner
128 – Virat Kohli#RRvKXIP— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 25, 2019
No other batsman in T20 cricket puts as much fear in bowlers and opposing fielders as Gayle. Intimidating, even in the winter of his career
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 25, 2019
Law is above The Mythical Spirit of The Game. Don’t fret. Don’t frown. #Ashwin #Buttler #RRvKXIP #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 25, 2019
He ain’t winning any spirit of cricket awards is old ashwin
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 25, 2019
Oh hell! Ashwin's run Butler out for backing up too far. Within the laws, but outside the spirt of the game. Unless the batsman had been cautioned earlier. We'll know about that later. For now, Punjab get coveted breakthru and the IPL its first major controversy this season
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 25, 2019
This is the first such instance of a player has been mankaded in IPL – Jos Buttler by Ravichandran Ashwin. #RRvKXIP
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 25, 2019
You are free to pass your judgment on @ashwinravi99 's Mankad to dismiss @josbuttler. But it's in the rule. Nothing wrong with it.#RRvKXIP #RRvsKXIP #IPL2019
— Shubham Khare (@shubhamkhare71) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/cricketaakash/status/1110230705529745409
Most consecutive 50-plus scores against KXIP in IPL:
6 – David Warner
4 – Chris Gayle, JOS BUTTLER*
3 – Lendl Simmons #RRvKXIP— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/lionsdenkxip/status/1110201586540789761
#IPL2019 #RRvKXIP: FIFTY! Chris Gayle hits his 25th IPL half-century. Kings XI Punjab 93/2 in 11.4 overs vs Rajasthan Royals in Jaipurhttps://t.co/UnFS3NG3HV pic.twitter.com/tAEeeBweQV
— India TV (@indiatvnews) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/Raiyana20/status/1110203960416239618
https://twitter.com/TheRajKundra/status/1110245089601716224
I can’t believe what I’m seeing!! @IPL Terrible example to set for young kids coming through. In time I think Ashwin will regret that.
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) March 25, 2019
