Rajasthan Royals picked up a crucial win in the 40th match of the IPL over Kings XI Punjab. Playing at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Rajasthan managed to defend the total of 152 against the mighty KXIP team. They choked the chase early on and managed to keep Punjab down. Despite KL Rahul playing through, the visiting team lost by 16 runs.

The crucial moment in the match was definitely the second over. In Rajasthan’s innings itself, it was quite evident that the pitch was getting tougher and tougher to bat. In such circumstances, the opening pair of Gayle-Rahul had to do the bulk of scoring as they had done before.

First over of the innings was bowled by Krishnappa Gowtham who conceded only four runs. Jofra Archer kept the pair quiet with only three runs from the first five balls but Rahul managed to hit a six on the last ball of the over.

It was the third over that changed the complexion of the match. K Gowtham continued his bowling spell and started his second over. His first ball was down the leg side, Gayle ran out of his crease and charged at him but picked the wrong ball. Buttler collected the leg-side wide and stumped Chris Gayle with the big man out of his crease.

KXIP tried something innovative and the captain promoted himself to number three. The move proved to be unfruitful and he was bowled on the second ball that he faced. Punjab kept losing the wickets regularly and ended up 15 runs short despite Rahul’s 95* from 70 balls.