In what turned out to be another thriller, former champions Rajasthan Royals continued their winning streak, as they beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Match 9 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Being held in Sharjah, RR scripted the win by four wickets, as they rose to the second spot of the table.
undefined
Match report: Winning the toss, RR skipper Steve Smith invited KXIP to bat first. The decision turned out to be a bad one, as openers KL Rahul (69) and Mayank Agarwal (106) just nailed it down. With a 183-run opening stand, KXIP just set the platform straight, as they posted a mammoth total of 2232.
undefined
In reply, RR were off to a flying start, thanks to Sanju Samson once again, who played a fruitful knock of 85. However, following the dismissal of Smith (50) and the arrival of Rahul Tewatia, things looked difficult, as the latter could only score eight off 19 deliveries. Nonetheless, it was his over against Sheldon Cottrell, where he smashed five sixes to turn the game upside down, as RR cruised to a four-wicket win. The match also scripted a number of records.
undefined
Sharjah produces most sixes this season: The venue of Sharjah has undoubtedly proved to be the batsmen's paradise, as two matches in a row, the team batting first has posted a total of more than 200. Naturally, the batsmen have struck a number of sixes, as the venue has produced the most number of them this season, which happens to be around 60. It is followed by Abu Dhabi (33) and Dubai (32).
undefined
KXIP and RR post highest powerplay score this season: The KXIP openers went slam-bang right from the start, thanks to Sharjah's flat track. In the process, the side scored 600 in the opening six overs of the powerplay, which happened to be the second-most this season. It was followed by RR in the second innings, who posted the most for the season, as they scored 691 during the phase. They went past the previous best of Mumbai Indians (MI), 591.
undefined
Mayank-Rahul's opening partnership enters record books: Rahul and Mayank were clearly on a roll, as they posted a 183-run opening stand, which happened to be the third-biggest opening stand in the history of the tournament. It is also KXIP's second-highest for any wicket, while it is the highest against RR for any wicket.
undefined
Mayank scores second-fastest century by an Indian: Mayank's flamboyant innings of a 50-ball 106 ensured that he slammed the second-fastest century of the tournament by an Indian. The list is led by Yusuf Pathan, who smashed in just 37 deliveries.
undefined
Samson hits first consecutive half-centuries: Samson's purple patch with the bat continued, as he played another sublime knock of 55. In the process, it was the first time that he had scored consecutive half-centuries in the tournament to date.
undefined
RR pull off highest successful chase: RR's innings was no less than a miracle, thanks to Tewatia's late blitz, as they won the tie by four runs. In the process, they scripted history by chasing down the highest ever total in the history of the tournament. The previous best was 215 by RR, against Deccan Chargers, in 2008.
undefined
Tewatia second to hit five sixes: Tewatia sprung the surprise of his life, as he smashed Cottrell for five sixes in the 18th over. In the process, he became only the second bowler to do so, after Chris Gayle.
undefined
RR score most in the final five overs: RR's innings saw another record being scripted. They have now scored the most runs in the final five overs of a successful chase in the IPL, as they scored 86. The previous best was 77 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in 2012, against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
undefined