In a tense encounter, Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Sanju Samson’s tactical decision to elevate Ravichandran Ashwin up the batting order failed to yield dividends, as Varun Chakravarthy’s spin proved too much for the seasoned batsman. The move, aimed at stabilizing the innings, backfired dramatically when Ashwin fell victim to Chakravarthy’s cunning delivery, resulting in a well-judged catch by Raghuvanshi.
With the visitors already under pressure, Ravichandran Ashwin’s dismissal only intensified the team’s predicament. Subsequent setbacks, including the swift departure of Hetmyer without scoring, further dented their hopes of recovery.
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Sanju Samson’s strategic manoeuvre, intended to reverse the momentum, ultimately proved futile. The skipper and his team now face the daunting task of regrouping, analyzing their errors, and moving forward with renewed vigour.
However, despite the setback, Rajasthan Royals found a saviour in Jos Buttler, who single-handedly guided them to victory with a scintillating unbeaten knock of 107 runs off just 60 balls. Buttler’s unwavering belief in his ability to accelerate in the final stages propelled him forward.
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Despite the mounting pressure and the loss of wickets at the other end, he remained steadfast, unleashing an array of powerful strokes when it mattered most. While questions may arise regarding the decision to promote Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of Shimron Hetmyer and RovmanPowell, the Royals ultimately found a way to clinch victory, showcasing their resilience and ability to adapt in challenging situations.
✌️ in ✌️ for Varun Chakaravarthy 😎@KKRiders bowlers keeping things under control with a clinical passage of bowling 👌👌
Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema 💻📱#TATAIPL | #KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/p0nPVJ3yLR
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 16, 2024
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal
