Swashbuckling Sanju helps Royals humble RCB

Sports Sunday 15/April/2018 19:30 PM
By: Times News Service
Swashbuckling Sanju helps Royals humble RCB

Bengaluru: Sixes rained from Sanju Samson’s bat as Rajasthan Royals humbled Royal Challengers Bangalore in a high-scoring encounter, recording their second victory in the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday.
In another reminder to the Indian selectors about his big hitting skills, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 10 sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 45-ball 92-run knock as the Royals piled up 217 for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs before handing the hosts a 19-run defeat.
Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) began their record chase in right earnest but they were derailed by the Bangalore’s own boys, Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham, who are not turning up for the Royals.
First off-spinner Gowtham removed Brendon McCullum (4) early and then when the RCB were being put back on track by captain Kohli and AB de Villiers, leggie Shreyas Gopal struck two telling blows, removing both the stars with the score reading 114 for four.
Gopal’s twin strikers came after left-arm chinaman bowler D’Arcy Short send back opening batsman Quinton de Kock (26).
The Bangalore outift never really recovered from that set back and Washington Sundar with a 19-ball 35 and Mandeep Singh 25-ball 47 only helped in reducing the margin of defeat.
Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham returned with figures of two for 22 and one for 36 respectively.
Earlier, Sanju Samson came to the wicket at the fall of his skipper Rahane (36) and straight away went to the top gear.
It was all timing and clean hitting as Sanju tore the RCB bowlers apart. Despite losing Rahane’s fellow opening batsman Short (11) and later English all-rounder Ben Stokes (27), Sanju continue with his massive hits to take the total beyond 200 mark.
Towards the end Jos Buttler, with a 14-ball 23 and Rahul Tripathi, who remained not out on 14 scored off just five balls, further propelled the Royals total.
RCB, who suffered their second loss in three outings, will play their next match against Mumbai on Tuesday and the Royals will host the Kolkata Knight Riders a day later.
Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 217 for 4 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 92 n.o., Ajinkya Rahane 36, Ben Stokes 27, Jos Buttler 23; Yuzvendra Chahal 2/22, Chris Woakes 2/47) bt Royal Challengers Bangalore 198 for 6 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 57, Mandeep Singh 47, Washingonton Sundar 35, AB de Villiers 20; Shreyas Gopal 2/22, Krishnappa Gowtham 1/36).