Yuzvendra Chahal became the leading wicket-taker in the history of the IPL through a mesmerising 4/25 while Yashasvi Jaiswal made a mockery of a two-paced pitch by smashing an unbeaten 47-ball 98, including the quickest-ever fifty of the tournament in 13 balls, as Rajasthan Royals thrashed Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets here on Thursday.
Chahal was undoubtedly Rajasthan’s standout bowler, spinning a web around Kolkata batters with his slow tossed-up deliveries, leg-spin and googly to keep the hosts to 149/8. Jaiswal was then sparkling in his strokeplay, combining bravado and a fearless approach to hit 13 fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 208.51.
Rana blamed his batters for not putting up a decent score to defend.
“Jaiswal’s innings was praiseworthy. Today was one of those days in life where nothing I thought 180 was par. We made a lot of mistakes with the bat and it’s the reason for losing out on two points,” said Rana during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Rana made a desperate attempt to claim early wickets by opening the bowling himself.
“I bowled first because I thought I could gamble as a part-timer and get the in-form Jaiswal out but it was his day,” he said.
KKR next face four-time champion Chennai Super Kings at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
–IANS
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