Royals beat Knights for first victory in IPL 3

Ahmedabad: Rajasthan Royals logged their first points in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a convincing 34-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders here Saturday.

Electing to bat, Rajasthan Royals scored 168 for seven and restricted Knight Riders to 134 for five in their 20 overs.

For Rajasthan Royals, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala made 45 off 36 balls while Naman Ojha (27), Faiz Fazal (31) and Adam Voges (37 not out) chipped in with useful contributions.

Do you think Americans are Workaholics?

	Yes
	No

   View result

The bowlers were up to the task right from the start, not allowing Knight Riders to get off to a flier and then checking the run flow with regular wickets.

Yusuf Pathan (2-23) removed both the openers Manoj Tiwary (11) and Brad Hodge (36) while Munaf Patel and Siddharth Trivedi picked one wicket each. Australian Shaun Tait and Munaf kept it tight towards the end as Knight Riders could never accelerate despite having wickets in hand.

It was the first victory for the Royals in four matches. The winners of the inaugural edition were lagging behind with losses against Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Knight Riders, on the other hand, after beginning their campaign this season with impressive wins against defending champions Deccan Chargers and runners-up Royal Challengers recorded their second loss, having lost to Super Kings at home four days back.

It was a bit of surprise that Knight Riders did not field Chris Gayle who was available for the match.

Knight Riders got off to a good start with Ashok Dinda (2-28) trapping Michael Lumb lbw with the first ball of the innings. Ojha and Fazal steadied the ship with a 42-run stand before Shane Bond (2-32) dismissed the latter. Fazal hit six boundaries in his 23-ball stay.

Ojha added 30 runs with former Indian Cricket League player Jhunjhunwala, before being run out.

Royals' star batsman Pathan did not stay for long and Jhunjhunwala, who made 36-ball 45 with five fours, fell to Ishant Sharma (2-33).

Voges gave the late charge with two fours and two sixes in his 22-ball innings.

Knight Riders were too cautious at the start and after losing Tiwary off Pathan in the third over, Hodge and Cheteshwar Pujara (29) took their time in building up the innings without taking any risk.

They reached 65 for one in 10 overs and Pujara was out in the next over. With the asking rate going up and the slow nature of wicket making it difficult for the new batsmen, Knight Riders failed to accelerate.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly was out of sorts in his 29-ball 33 as Royals paceman used the short ball to good effect against the left-hander.

When Pathan rattled the stumps of Hodge, Knight Riders required 74 off 36 balls. Ganguly and Owais Shah (19 not out) looked to play the big shots but were tied down by some good bowling by the Rajasthan Royals with wily Shane Warne rotating them well.
Source: IANS