Rajasthan Royals (RR) thrashed Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by seven wickets in the 50th match of Indian Premier Leag♑ue (IPL) 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
RR remains alive in the ongoing season ﷺfollowing this triumph, after being given a target of 186 runs.
England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes ensured the perfect start to the chase, smashing a 26-ball 50. Stokes’ innings was laced with six fours and three sixes. Sanju Samson continued to attack following the English cricketer’s dismissal, scoring a 25-ball 48. The duo received quality support from skipper Steve Smith and Jos Buttler, who helped the side get across the finish line without much ado. For KXIP, Murugan Ashwin and Chris Jordan accounted for a wicket apiece.
Earlier, after put in to bat, KXIP posted 185 runs on the board after losing four wickets. Chris Gayle was the highest run-scorer as he smashed 99 runs off just 63 deliveries. Gayle’s innings comprised of six fours and eight maximum. The Windies legend also completed 1000 sixes in T20 cricket during his sublime knock. Pace-bowler Jofra Archer and Stokes were the pick of the bowlers for RR, accounting for two wickets apiece.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Well played 👏
They look very dangerous while chasing.The race i🔜n points table ge🦩tting intense after each match.
This weekend is gonna be interesting…super weekend ahead!
— Vinod Kambli (@vinodkambli349)
Welld✤one doubl꧋e RRs still in contest for last four. well batted , & skip to take RRs cross the line
— Naman Ojha (@namanojha35)
Well played ! Now everyone has a chance to qualไify, interesting table ! 𝔉What an !
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth)
Still in it to win it
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Two top class chases by RR in their previous 2 games.Beat the formidable MI & then KXIP tonight. Ben Stokes &am♐p; Sanju Samson played decisive innings in these two games. RR are still in it.RR,KKR,KXIP & SR🐽H all have must win games now.RCB/DC need to win 1 of their 2 remaining games
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Excellent universe Boss what an inning under pressure at different ba🍰tting position & different class
— Naman Ojha (@namanojha35)
WWWWWL
Kings XI Punjab's winning streak is broken!
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia)
A much better💦 show tonight. A near perfect game for them.
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum)
Chris Gayle missed out on yet another well deserved hund🧔red today.
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Ben Stokes is at it again…
🔹 2/32 from four overs
🔹 50 from 26 balls
🔹 Nine boundaries
🔹 …and a catchA decent evening's work for the 2019 ICC Men's Player of the Year!
— ICC (@ICC)
Brilliant 💃team performan💖ce again and great to see everyone contributing with the bat!
Proud of this team. We keep fighting
— Jake Lush McCrum (@JakeLushMcCrum)
//twitter.com/isaguha/status/1322233663933829120
We will come back stronger! 💪🏻
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
24 ball fifty for Ben Stokes – he scored hundred in last match – this fifty was inside powerplay. The beast.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
