IPL8: Punjab edge over Rajasthan in Super Over

IPL8: Punjab edge over Rajasthan in Super Over: The 8th edition of Indian Premier League seen its first Tied game in a high scoring thriller with the Kings XI Punjab beating the Rajasthan Royals by 9 runs in the Super Over eliminator. As a result, it broke the 5 match winning streak of RR.

Chasing 192 to win, KXIP lost their stand in captain Sehwag in the first over itself. Murali Vijay who looked good hitting couple of sixes returned to pavilion as he got run out in follow through. Glenn Maxwell’s poor form continued as he could score just 1. But Shaun Marsh, taking up the responsibility played a fine innings. Once he got settled he went for big shots and tried to keep the required run rate intact. He brought up his fifty in 32 balls and scored 65 with help of 3 sixes and 5 fours.

Miller who scored runs despite of been struggling at the other end. The fourth wicket stand of 58 off 35 balls came to an end with Marsh holing out to long on. With 72 needing of last 5 overs, Saha hit 3 fours in Morris’ over before getting bowled in an awkward fashion. Miller kept the fight going on by smashing 2 sixes off 18th over bowled by Hooda before getting out. Johnson and Akshar Patel kept fighting as they brought down the equation to 14 off last over which seen 9 runs in first five balls. Akshar Patel, on the last ball slashed an outside off stump delivery by Faulkner to fence to level the scores.

Kings XI Punjab sent Miller and Marsh along with Maxwell in the super over with Chris Morris bowling the over. It began with Miller getting out on the first delivery and Maxwell almost got out by airing the second ball. Marsh smashed the next three balls for boundaries which included a beamer. But last two balls costed just a run as they could post 15 runs in the single over.

For Rajasthan Royals, Watson and Faulkner opened with Smith at one down and Mitchell Johnson bowling the over. Over started with Watson getting cleaned up by Johnson but the next ball went for four which was a highest no-ball. Faulkner got on to strike on third ball which he missed on swing and Saha behind the stumps was good enough to hit the wickets before the Australian all-rounder returned to crease as a result, KXIP won the super over by 9 runs.

Earlier, Kings XI Punjab came into the game with Virender Sehwag as their captain with regular captain George Bailey suffered an injured shoulder. After been put into bat by KXIP, Rajasthan Royals got off to a cautious start with Watson been on slower side. Rahane kept his shots coming in continuing his good form. Once spinner were introduced, Watson outburst began as he smashed Shivam Sharma for 19 runs in his first over and followed it hitting Akshar Patel for six but the off spinner returned well by deceiving the RR’s captain.

Rahane continues to hold the Oranage Cap in IPL8, played a sensible knock and brought up his fifty in 40 balls with a six. He was supported by Hooda who scored a quick fire 19. Soon, Steven Smith departed in cause of quick runs but Karun Nair gave the momentum for his side. Rahane’s innings of 74 came to an end when he nicked Johnson behind stumps. Faulkner’s stay too wasn’t so long as he managed to score just a run. Nair who looked dangerous with his 25 in 13 balls got out in last over but Sanju Samson and Stuart Binny with a couple of boundaries powered their side’s total to 191 for 7.

Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 191 for 6 (Shaun Marsh 65, David Miller 54) tied with Rajasthan Royals 191 for 6 (Ajinkya Rahane 74, Shane Watson 45).

Super Over Eliminator: Rajasthan Royals 6 for 2 (Steven Smith 5*, Mitchell Johnson 1/6) lost to Kings XI Punjab 15 for 2 (Shaun Marsh 13) by 8 runs.