IPL 2020: KXIP Vs RR – Rajasthan Royals Keep Playoffs Alive With 7-Wicket Win Over Kings XI Punjab

Abu Dhabi: Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by seven wickets in game 50 of the Indian Premier League 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday.

Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to field. After being put into bat, KXIP posted a total of 185 runs for the loss of four wickets Punjab had started poorly, losing the first wicket for 1 run. Mandeep Singh was caught out by Jofra Archer at the hands of Ben Stokes without opening the account. After this, Gayle managed the innings by sharing 120 runs for the second wicket with Lokesh Rahul (46 off 41 balls). Chris Gayle was the highest run-scorer, smashing 99 runs off 63 balls. Gayle’s innings comprised six boundaries and eight sixes. The Windies cricketer further completed 1000 T20 sixes during his sublime knock. In the end, Nicholas Pooran hit 22 runs off 9 balls with a long shot.

Chasing 186 for a win, RR overhauled the target in 17.3 overs with Stokes top-scoring with a magnificent 26-ball 50. Sanju Samson was also equally impressive during his knock of 48 from 25 balls. Opener Robin Uthappa contributed 30 off 23 balls, while captain Steve Smith, who has been struggling for form scored 31 off 20 balls, and Jos Buttler remained not out on 22 off 11 balls to take RR home and snap KXIP’s five-match winning streak.

With the win, their sixth in 13 matches, RR kept themselves alive for a spot in the play-offs with 12 points with one game left. Despite the loss, KXIP also remained in contention with 12 points from 13 matches.