A super batting performance from Ajinkye Rahane was followed up by a clever bowling show from Kevon Cooper as Rajasthan Royals crushed Kings XI Punjab by 31 runs in their IPL clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur yesterday.
Batting first, Rajasthan rode on Rahane's spectacular 98 to post a commanding 191 for 4 from their 20 overs. Rahane was ably supported by Rahul Dravid who scored 28.
James Faulker picked up two wickets for Punjab but his 4 overs also went for 41.
Punjab started well as captain Adam Gilchrist struck a strokeful 27 as he and opening partner Paul Valhaty put together 36 inside 4 overs. But both departed within 8 runs of each other leaving the team with a steep target to chase. Punjab were rarely in the running thereafter, despite some lusty blows at the end from Mandeep Singh and Bipul Sharma. Cooper was the wrecker-in-chief grabbing 4 for 26 off his four overs.