Our Correspondent
Rajasthan Royals scored a seven-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab in the 50th Dream 11 IPL match in Abu Dhabi on October 30 night.
KXIP firebrand Chris Gayle’s powerful 99 (63 balls), which gave Punjab to a formidable total of 185/4, went in vain as RR made four successful partnerships to chase the target. His 120-run second-wicket partnership with skipper KL Rahul (46 off 41) was the cornerstone of Punjab’s total.
Gayle reached his half-century off 28 balls. KXIP had an early blow when Jofra Archer dismissed opening batsman Mandeep Singh striking in his first over.
RR’s chase saw Ben Stokes giving a good start with a half century that put 60 runs on the board before the team lost their first wicket to Chris Jordan. Sanju Samson (48 off 25) added 51 with Robin Uthappa, and 34 with captain Steve Smith (31 off 20) before he was run out. Jos Buttler gave the finishing touches for the victory with an unbeaten 41-run stand with Smith. Chris Jordan bowled a wide which sealed the RR win.
Stokes was declared Man of the Match (2/32 and 50 off 26).Rajasthan has a slim chance of qualifying to the last four with this win. At No. 4 on the table, Punjab’s chances are unaffected by the loss (12 points from 13 matches).
Chris Gayle was fined 10% of his match fee for beaching IPL’s Code of Conduct when he threw his bat in frustration after being dismissed for 99 by Jofra Archer.
