IPL 2019: Match 14, RR vs RCB – Rajasthan Royals Player Ratings

The stage was all set for the first Royal derby of the IPL 2019 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore locked horns in this key encounter that both the sides were eagerly looking forward to. The reason was quite simple. Leading in to the match, both sides had three defeats to their name as they searched for their first win of the season. One team was certain to notch up their first win of IPL 2019, and much to the delight of the fans, it was the home side RR that bagged the victory.

In the match, the Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first. The track looked flat and RCB got off to a decent start until Shreyas Gopal was introduced into the attack. A highly economical spell from Gopal halted the RCB innings and some big names faltered yet again. While wickets kept tumbling at one end, Parthiv Patel held the fort at the other. Parthiv top scored with 67 as RCB finished with 158/4 in the 20 overs.

In the run chase, the Ajinkya Rahane-Jos Buttler duo proved to be a successful one yet again. A good opening stand of 60 runs brushed aside the hopes of RCB. Yuzvendra Chahal bowled well in the middle overs but that was too little to trouble the cruising hosts. Buttler hit a fifty to continue his merry run in the IPL. After Buttler’s dismissal, Steve Smith and Rahul Tripathi came up with handy contributions to see their side register their first win of the season. RR beat RCB by 7 wickets.

Here are the RR Player Ratings for the match:

Jos Buttler – 8/10

Jos Buttler is in the form of his life. His affinity for the venue in Jaipur does not cease to end. Buttler notched up his fifth consecutive fifty at this venue, and his 7th fifty in his last 10 IPL innings. He added 60 runs with Ajinkya Rahane for the opening partnership and set the tone for the run chase. He finished with 59 to his name in just 43 balls with 8 fours and a six to his name.

Ajinkya Rahane – 4/10

Ajinkya Rahane looked very impressive with his captaincy in the match. The way he worked with his spinners – K Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal – was very impressive. With the bat, he played a handy knock of 22 runs up front. He provided the perfect support  to Jos Buttler in the run chase.

Steve Smith – 8/10

Strange things have happened in the IPL this season. Teams in complete control of the run chase have thrown it away in the final overs. The need for a calm head in the run chase has always been felt. In this game, similar things could have happened for the hosts as well. Steve Smith batted really well to guide the team in the run chase but perished in the penultimate over. He would have certainly liked to wrap up the things for his side. Smith finished with 38 to his name that came off 31 deliveries.

Rahul Tripathi – 8/10

Rahul Tripathi arrived at a critical time in the run chase. With the wicket of Jos Buttler falling, there was a brief scare for RR as the fear of a mini-collapse beckoned. However, Rahul showed great character to bat through the end of the innings and finish of the match for his team. Tripathi looked very impressive for his unbeaten 34 off just 23 balls with 3 fours and a six. The six was the winning shot of the match.

Ben Stokes – 3/10

Overseas import Ben Stokes came very close to winning the match for the Royals in their previous encounter. In this game, he did not get a chance to bat too much though. He batted in the final over of the run chase and was happy to give the strike to a well-set Rahul Tripathi. With the ball, he had a decent time. He failed to pick up any wicket and conceded 29 runs in the three overs that he bowled. He certainly covered up for the expensive over of Varun Aaron.

Stuart Binny – 3/10

Stuart Binny found a place in the playing eleven for the Royals in this game since Sanju Samson picked up a niggle. Binny did not play in the capacity of a batsman, but rather as an all-rounder. His services, though, were largely underused in the match. He bowled just one over with the ball and conceded 6 runs. He did not get a chance to bat.

K Gowtham – 5/10

K Gowtham started off the proceedings in the match. He was very economical against Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel in the powerplay and conceded just 12 runs in two overs. Later, he came back in the later stage of the innings, and bettered his performance. He conceded only 7 more in the two more overs that he bowled to finish with 0/19 in his quota of 4 overs. While he mounted the pressure, Shreyas Gopal reaped rewards at the other end.

Jofra Archer – 3/10

Jofra Archer has been one of the most popular players in the lead up to this season. The pacer is yet to make a mark though. Archer had a very tough time with the ball in this game. He looked very inconsistent with his lines and his plans did not work out too well for RR. He conceded 47 runs in the four overs that he bowler. The only positive for him in this game was the wicket of a well-set Parthiv Patel in the fag end of the innings.

Shreyas Gopal – 9/10

Shreyas Gopal was the star of the night for RR. The leggie cleaned up Virat Kohli with a beautiful googly in his very first over. He conceded just 7 runs in that over and had truly announced his love affair with RCB’s batting. In his next over, he troubled AB de Villiers and managed to take his wicket too. The over turned out to be a wicket maiden. Later, he accounted for the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer, who looked absolutely clueless against his bowling. Gopal finished with lovely figures of 4-1-12-3.

Dhawan Kulkarni – 3/10

Dhawal Kulkarni was retained in the side ahead of Jaydev Unadkat. Varun Aaron was certain to play this match since the team was keen on having a bowler with more pace. Dhawal featured in the playing eleven owing to his consistency in the recent times. He did a fair job in this match too. He conceded 26 runs in 3 overs but failed to pick up any wicket.

Varun Aaron – 2/10

Varun Aaron was drafted in the side at the expense of Jaydev Unadkat. Unadkat has been a big name for the RR camp ever since the auctions. Hence, filling his boots was a big task for Aaron. Aaron was picked up to add extra pace to the bowling fire of the team. He did clock speeds of 140kmph consistently in the only over that he bowled. Much to his disliking though, he was taken away for 16 runs and Parthiv Patel used his pace to notch up easy boundaries.

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