Hyderabad: Former champions Rajasthan Royals were knocked out of the 5th of Indian Premier League following their 5-wicket defeat by Deccan Chargers at Rajiv Gandhi International stadium on Friday. It was lastly a moment of celebrations for the home team as chase a modest target of 127; they notched up a success with 1.2 overs to spare.
The result put an end to series of defeat for the home side but made little dissimilarity to their position. They are already out of the race for the play-offs. With 5 points from 15 matches, the Chargers still languish at the bottom with the last match against Royal Challengers Bangalore listed at the same ground on Sunday. For the Rajasthan Royals, the loss wealth finishes of the road for a place in play-offs. They have 14 points from 15 matches and a succeed in the last match against Mumbai Indians would not help them.
Buckling under the force of a must-win situation, the Royals crumbled to 126 after winning the toss. After imposing bowling, Chargers' batting came up good to snatch the much-needed victory. Ashish Reddy hit 2successive fours of Shaun Tait to overcome some nervous moments and seal the win for his team. The opening partnership of 63 between Reddy and Shikhar Dhawan, adding 58 in the power play, helped Chargers to reach the target. JP Duminy chip in with 24 off 31 balls.
The openers gave a flying start with Dhawan beating Chandila for a six over long-on, followed up by a sweep for four to notch up 11 runs in the 1st over. Dhawan, one of the leading run-scorer this season, then enthusiastic Tait for a 6 behind the wicket keeper. The 1st breakthrough for the visitors came in the 9th over when Johan Botha had Dhawan caught by Chandila. Reddy was the next to go as he tried to brush it away but got a leading edge and Owais Shah took a good catch by running back.
Skipper Cameron White (1) did not last long as he gave a return catch to Chandila. At this stage, Royals tried to put some force with tight bowling and fielding but in the end their total proved to be too meager to defend. Trivedi claimed 2 for 20 while Chandila, Botha and Binny bagged a wicket each.Earlier, an impressive bowling presentation by Chargers limited the Royals to 126 for eight. Dale Steyn's 2 for 14, Amit Mishra's 2 for 20 and a fine display by other bowlers abridged the visitors to the lowest score this season.
Elect to bat after winning the toss on what looked to be a good batting track, the Royal' top-order misshapen before disciplined bowling attack of the home team. Barring Captain Rahul Dravid (39 off 26) and Owais Shah (28 off 32), who showed some resistance; none of the batsmen could endure the fiery spells by Steyn, Mishra and Gony (1 for 26). Veer Pratap Singh also chipped in with two for 31.The 35-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Shah and Ashok Menaria (20 off 17) was the only highlight of the Rajasthan innings. Dravid's knock of 39 off 26 balls was studded with 5 fours out of the total 10 boundaries in the innings.
The visitors also failed to capitalize on 3 dropped catches and some sloppy fielding by Chargers, who were led by White as Kumar Sangakkara opted out after a rather poor period with the bat. Royals had a disastrous start with Rahane departing in the 2nd over as Steyn had him caught in the slip by Dhawan. Watson survives narrowly in the 5th over when Dhawan could not hold on to a head1st catch off Gony at mid-on. Dravid survived the next delivery as Ashish Reddy attempt a difficult overhead catch.
Amit Mishra then gave his team a key get through as he clean up Watson for 13 (1x4, 1x6) on his very 1st delivery which spinned away to hit the off-stump. Mishra in his next over deceived Binny (7) to one more beauty which uprooted the stumps. Playing the captain's knock, Dravid held on to the other end. However, in an effort to give some force to the scoring, he was caught by Chris Lynn off Gony near the boundary line.
Man of the match
Dale Steyn
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