Chris Gayle of Kings XI Punjab walks back to the pavilion after getting out at 99 during match 50 of IPL 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on the 30th October 2020. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCIIn match 50 of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020), star England all-rounder Ben Stokes stole the limelight from Chris Gayle as Rajasthan Royals clicked as a unit to beat Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets and stay afloat in the Indian Premier League at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Stokes hit a 26-ball 50 and also claimed two wickets to emerge as the star performer for his team.
Earlier, Gayle had smashed a 63-ball 99 to power KXIP to 185 for four but it went in vain.
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, while captain Steve Smith, who has been struggling for form, and Jos Buttler remained not out on 31 and 22 respectively to take RR home and snap KXIP's five-match winning streak.
RR's collective batting effort ensured that KXIP batsman Chris Gayle's superb 99 went in vain. During his knock, the West Indies batsman had taken his tally of sixes to 1001 in his glorious T20 career.
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.
RR made an explosive start to their run chase with Stokes and Uthappa stitching 60 runs inside powerplay. Stokes was in magnificent form during his short innings as he got the boundaries with ease.
KXIP vs RR full scorecard
The star England all-rounder hit Murugan Ashwin for two sixes and a four to take 16 runs from the fourth over. He reached his fifty off 24 balls when he hoisted Chris Jordan for a six in the sixth over.
But Jordan got his revenge by removing Stokes two balls later.
RR were still cruising ahead at 66 for 1 at the end of powerplay and with Samson firing on all cylinders, they went past the 100-run mark in the 10th over.
The fireworks were halted after Uthappa fell in the 11th over to Ashwin but RR were in complete control with the asking rate less than seven runs an over with seven wickets in hand.
Earlier, Gayle continued his menacing form, smashing a 63-ball 99 to steer Punjab to 185 for 4 after being put in to bat.
Gayle and captain KL Rahul (46) took the RR bowlers to the cleaners, stitching 120 runs for the second wicket in 13.4 overs to help KXIP post a challenging total.
Nicholas Pooran played a late cameo of 22 off just 10 deliveries with the help of three sixes.
Gayle, who had four boundaries and eight sixes in his explosive innings, was out just two balls before the end of the innings and he showed his disappointment of missing out on a hundred by throwing down his bat.
KXIP lost their first wicket in the opening over itself when Mandeep Singh got dismissed for a first-ball duck with Ben Stokes taking a brilliant diving catch off an equally superb delivery by Archer.
But Gayle and Rahul maintained a high scoring rate, reaching 53 for 1 at the end of powerplay. The self-styled 'Universe Boss' smacked two fours and six in consecutive deliveries off pacer Kartik Tyagi.
Gayle reached his third fifty in six matches in this IPL in style, hitting a six off Rahul Tewati in the 11th over as KXIP cruised along to reach the 100-run mark in the 13th over.
Stokes finally got the breakthrough by getting rid of tournament's top run-getter Rahul in the 15th over to put brakes on KXIP innings.
KXIP vs RR playing 11Rajasthan Royals has made one change in its playing 11, bringing in Varun Aaron for Ankit Rajpoot while Kings XI Punjab is unchanged.
RR playing 11: Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson(w), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi.
KXIP playing 11: KL Rahul(w/c), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
KXIP vs RR scorecard: Kings XI Punjab's innings
Ball 3: Buttler collects a couple of runs towards deep point.
Ball 2: A length delivery and Buttler smashes SIX straight down the ground.
Ball 1: Smitrh collects a single.
Ball 1: WIDE
RR live score after 17 Overs: 175-3
Over Summary: 4 4 2 4 1 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 175-3 ; Steve Smith (30), Jos Buttler (14)
Mohammed Shami [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Buttler smashes FOUR towards deep mid-wicket.
Ball 5: Smith collects a single towards backward point.
Ball 4: Smith glances towards fine leg for FOUR.
Ball 3: Smith slices towards deep backward point for a couple of runs.
Ball 2: Smith hits towards deep mid-wicket for FOUR.
Ball 1: Smith smashes just over mid-off for FOUR.
RR live score after 16 Overs: 156-3
Over Summary: 2 1 L1 0 0 6 ; Rajasthan Royals: 156-3 ; Steve Smith (15), Jos Buttler (10)
Jordan continues...
Ball 6: Buttler smashes the slow delivery towards long-on for SIX.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Smith collects a leg byes for Rajasthan Royals.
Ball 2: Buttler collects a single towards sweeper cover.
Ball 1: Buttler drives towards deep extra cover for a couple of runs.
RR live score after 15 Overs: 146-3; Samson RUNOUT
Over Summary: 1 W 0 0 1 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 146-3 ; Steve Smith (15), Jos Buttler (1)
Ravi Bishnoi [3.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Buttler collects a single.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Jos Buttler, right handed bat, comes to the crease and fails to score.
Ball 2: Samson gets RUNOUT while taking a single and a direct hit from the point region ends Samson's 48-run innings.
Ball 1: Samson hits down the ground for a single.
RR live score after 14 Overs: 144-2
Over Summary: 0 1 4 2 1 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 144-2 ; Sanju Samson (47), Steve Smith (15)
Chris Jordan [1.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Smith steers through short third man for FOUR.
Ball 5: Samson collects a single towards short fine leg.
Ball 4: Samson cuts towards square third man for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Samson glances towards deep fine leg for FOUR.
Ball 2: Smith collects a single
Ball 1: DOT
RR live score after 13 Overs: 132-2
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 6 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 132-2 ; Sanju Samson (40), Steve Smith (10)
Murugan Ashwin continues....
Ball 6: Samson cuts towards deep backward point for FOUR.
Ball 5: Samson smashes towards deep square leg for SIX.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Smith collects a single towards short third man.
Ball 2: Samson collects a single/
Ball 1: Smith collects a single.
RR live score after 12 Overs: 119-2
Over Summary: 2 4 0 0 1 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 119-2 ; Sanju Samson (29), Steve Smith (8)
Ravi Bishnoi continues...
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Smith collects a single.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Smith hammers FOUR.
Ball 1: Smith collects a couple of runs.
RR live score after 11 Overs: 112-2; Uthappad departs
Over Summary: 1 1 0 6 W 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 112-2 ; Sanju Samson (29), Steve Smith (1)
Murugan Ashwin [2.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Steven Smith, right handed bat, comes to the crease and collects a single down the ground.
Ball 5: Uthappa goes for another big shot but this time holed up to deep mid-wicket and Pooran completes the catch. Uthappa c Pooran b Murugan Ashwin 30(23) [4s-1 6s-2]
Ball 4: Uthappa slog sweeps towards cow corner for SIX.
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Samson collects a single.
Ball 1: Uthappa collects a single.
RR live score after 10 Overs: 103-1
Over Summary: Wd 0 1 6 0 1 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 103-1 ; Robin Uthappa (23), Sanju Samson (28)
Ravi Bishnoi continues...
Ball 6: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 5: Samson collects a single.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Samson wallopes towards mid-wicket for SIX.
Ball 2: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 1: DOT
Ball 1: WIDE
RR live score after 9 Overs: 93-1
Over Summary: 6 1 1 1 1 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 93-1 ; Robin Uthappa (21), Sanju Samson (21)
Arshdeep Singh [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Samson plays a deft touch towards third man for FOUR.
Ball 5: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 4: Samson hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 2: Samson collects a single towards sweeper cover.
Ball 1: Samson wallopes towards mid-wicket for SIX.
RR live score after 8 Overs: 79-1
Over Summary: 1 0 1 1 1 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 79-1 ; Robin Uthappa (19), Sanju Samson (9)
Ravi Bishnoi, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Uthappa cuts towards deep backward point for FOUR.
Ball 5: Samson collects a single.
Ball 4: Uthappa collects a single towards deep backward square leg.
Ball 3: Samson collects a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Uthappa collects a single down the ground.
RR live score after 7 Overs: 71-1
Over Summary: 1 0 1 1 1 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 71-1 ; Robin Uthappa (13), Sanju Samson (7)
Murugan Ashwin [1.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 5: Samson collects a single.
Ball 4: Uthappa collects a single towards deep mid-wicket.
Ball 3: Samson collects a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Uthappa collects a single towards deep square leg.
RR live score after 6 Overs: 66-1; Jordan scalps Stokes
Over Summary: 6 0 W 1 1 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 66-1 ; Robin Uthappa (10), Sanju Samson (5)
Chris Jordan, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Samson cuts towards deep backward point for FOUR.
Ball 5: A single for Uthappa.
Ball 4: Sanju Samson, right handed bat, comes to the crease and steers down to third man for a single.
Ball 3: Stokes smashes straight to mid-off, GONE. Stokes c Hooda b Jordan 50(26) [4s-6 6s-3]
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Stokes smashes towards long-off for SIX.
RR live score after 5 Overs: 54-0
Over Summary: 1 4 0 0 1 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 54-0 ; Ben Stokes (44), Robin Uthappa (9)
Mohammed Shami [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Stokes drills the yorker towards long-on for a single.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Stokes hammers towards extra cover for FOUR.
Ball 1: Uttappa steers down to third man for a single.
RR live score after 4 Overs: 48-0
Over Summary: 0 0 4 6 6 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 48-0 ; Ben Stokes (39), Robin Uthappa (8)
Murugan Ashwin, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Stokes tries to play an reverse sweep, misses. DOT
Ball 5: Stokes sweeps towards deep square leg for SIX.
Ball 4: Stokes smashes straight down the ground for SIX.
Ball 3: Stokes cuts towards deep backward point for FOUR.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
RR live score after 3 Overs: 32-0
Over Summary: 0 4 1 1 4 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 32-0 ; Ben Stokes (23), Robin Uthappa (8)
Arshdeep continues...
Ball 6: Stokes collects a single.
Ball 5: Stokes hits towards deep fine leg for FOUR.
Ball 4: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 3: Stokes collects a single.
Ball 2: Stokes smashes FOUR.
Ball 1: DOT
RR live score after 2 Overs: 21-0
Over Summary: L1 4 0 0 1 6 ; Rajasthan Royals: 21-0 ; Ben Stokes (13), Robin Uthappa (7)
Mohammed Shami, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Uthappa smashes SIX.
Ball 5: Stokes collects a single.
Ball 4: A short delivery, hurried onto him as he tries to pull. Stokes hits towards mid-on. DOT
Ball 3: Stokes tries to scoop over keeper but edges onto his helmet. DOT
Ball 2: Stokes punches towards cover for FOUR.
Ball 1: A single for Uthappa.
RR live score after 1 Over: 9-0
Over Summary: 0 1 2 2 0 4 ; Rajasthan Royals: 9-0 ; Ben Stokes (8), Robin Uthappa (1)
Uthappa and Stokes at the crease. Uthappa on strike. Arshdeep Singh opens the attack
Ball 6: Stokes chips over mid-on for FOUR.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: Stokes collects a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Stokes collects a couple of runs.
Ball 2: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 20 Overs: 185-4; Gayle departs for 99
Over Summary: 1 1 6 W 1 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 185-4 ; Glenn Maxwell (6), Deepak Hooda (1)
Jofra Archer [3.0-0-17-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A pacy bumper outside off and Maxwell fails to put bat on ball.
Ball 5: Deepak Hooda, right handed bat, comes to the crease and glances towards deep fine leg for a single.
Ball 4: A brilliant yorker, Gayle gets an inside edge onto the pads and then hits the off stump. BOWLED. . Gayle b Jofra Archer 99(63) [4s-6 6s-8]
Ball 3: A juicy full toss and Gayle whacks towards long-on for SIX.
Ball 2: Maxwell collects a single towards deep backward square leg.
Ball 1: Gayle squeezes the yorker towards long-off for a single.
KXIP live score after 19 Overs: 176-3
Over Summary: 1 N4 0 0 1 6 1 ; Kings XI Punjab: 176-3 ; Chris Gayle (92), Glenn Maxwell (5)
Kartik Tyagi continues..
Ball 6: Gayle hammers down the ground for SIX.
Ball 5: A short delivery and Gayle slaps it towards deep mid-wicket boundary for SIX. Gayle moves to nervous NINTY
Ball 4: Maxwell whips the low full toss towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 3: A wide yorker, Maxwell again tries to slice but misses. DOT.
Ball 2: FREE HIT, A wide yoker outside off and Maxwell fails to put bat on ball.
Ball 2: A waist height full toss, Gayle guides through short fine leg for FOUR. NO BALL CALLED.
Ball 1: Gayle collects a single towards sweeper cover.
Glenn Maxwell, right handed bat, comes to the crease
KXIP live score after 18 Overs: 162-3; Stokes scalps Pooran
Over Summary: 4 Wd L1 1 6 1 W ; Kings XI Punjab: 162-3 ; Chris Gayle (84), Nicholas Pooran (22)
Ben Stokes [3.0-0-19-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Pooran smashes towards deep backward square leg for a biggie but Rahul Tewatia takes a screamer at the boundary line. Pooran c Rahul Tewatia b Stokes 22(10) [6s-3]
Ball 5: Gayle mishits towards long-off for a single.
Ball 4: Gayle samshes just over mid-wicket fielder for SIX.
Ball 3: Pooran drags towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: One leg byes for KXIP
Ball 2: WIDE
Ball 1: Gayle smashes towards cow corner for FOUR.
KXIP live score after 17 Overs: 148-2
Over Summary: 0 1 1 1 2 6 ; Kings XI Punjab: 148-2 ; Chris Gayle (73), Nicholas Pooran (21)
Kartik Tyagi [2.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Pooran wallopes towards long-off for SIX.
Ball 5: Pooran collects a couple of runs.
Ball 4: Gayle collects a single.
Ball 3: Pooran collects a single.
Ball 2: Gayle collects a single.
Ball 1: Gayle blocks the yorker.
KXIP live score after 16 Overs: 137-2
Over Summary: 0 1 Wd 1 W Wd 1 Nb 6 ; Kings XI Punjab: 137-2 ; Chris Gayle (71), Nicholas Pooran (12)
Varun Aaron [3.0-0-33-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: FREE HIT, Pooran wallopes towards deep extra cover for SIX.
Ball 6: Pooran goes for wild slog again, misses. DOT. Third umpire calls NO BALL.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: Pooran smashes towards deep fine leg for SIX.
Ball 3: Gayle punches towards long-off for a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 15 Overs: 123-2; Stokes scalps Rahul
Over Summary: 0 1 Wd 1 W Wd 1 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 123-2 ; Chris Gayle (70), Nicholas Pooran (0)
Ben Stokes [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Pooran blocks back to bowler. DOT
Ball 5: Gayle tucks towards mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 5: WIDE down the leg side.
Nicholas Pooran, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 4: Rahul slogs towards mid-wicket, holed up to Tewatia. GONE. Rahul c Rahul Tewatia b Stokes 46(41) [4s-3 6s-2]
Ball 3: Gayle hits towards long-on for a single.
Ball 3: A pacy bumper called WIDE.
Ball 2: Rahul drags towards mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 1: Rahul leaves outside off, DOT.
KXIP live score after 14 Overs: 118-1
Over Summary: 0 4 1 4 2 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 118-1 ; KL Rahul (45), Chris Gayle (68)
Jofra Archer [2.0-0-6-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Gayle pushes towards mid-off for a single but gets another as Smith fumbles.
Ball 4: A yorker length delivery, Gayle smashes and manages a thick inside edge through short fine leg for FOUR.
Ball 3: Rahul hammers, powerfully, down the ground for a single.
Ball 2: Rahul hits the slow delivery towards deep backward square leg for FOUR.
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 13 Overs: 107-1
Over Summary: 0 1 1 6 1 1 ; Kings XI Punjab: 107-1 ; KL Rahul (40), Chris Gayle (62)
Tewatia continues....
Ball 6: Rahul punches towards long-off for a single.
Ball 5: Gayle without any timing, along the ground, towards long-on for a single.
Ball 4: Gayle wallopes just over long-on for SIX.
Ball 3: Rahul sweeps towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Ball 2: Gayle collects a single down the ground.
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 12 Overs: 97-1
Over Summary: 1 1 1 1 1 1 ; Kings XI Punjab: 97-1 ; KL Rahul (38), Chris Gayle (54)
Ben Stokes [1.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Gayle.
Ball 5: A single for Rahul.
Ball 4: A single for Gayle.
Ball 3: A single for Rahul.
Ball 2: A single for Gayle.
Ball 1: A single for Rahul.
KXIP live score after 11 Overs: 91-1; Gayle hits fifty
Over Summary: 1 1 6 0 1 1 ; Kings XI Punjab: 91-1 ; KL Rahul (35), Chris Gayle (51)
Tewatia continues...
Ball 6: Rahul collects a single.
Ball 5: Gayle goes for a bigge but manages only a top edge, Tewatia tries to catch the skier himself but drops it. Second chance for Gayle. A single taken.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Gayle slog sweeps towards cow corner for SIX and reaches the 50-run mark.
Ball 2: Rahul colelcts a single towards dep extra cover.
Ball 1: A tossed up delivery outside off and Gayle drills towards long-off for a single.
KXIP live score after 10 Overs: 81-1
Over Summary: 0 6 1 0 1 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 81-1 ; KL Rahul (33), Chris Gayle (43)
Kartik Tyagi [1.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Gayle collects a single.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Rahul guides towards third man for a single.
Ball 2: Rahul smashes SIX towards wide of long-off fielder.
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 9 Overs: 73-1
Over Summary: 0 0 1 1 0 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 73-1 ; KL Rahul (26), Chris Gayle (42)
Rahul Tewatia, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: Rahul collects a single.
Ball 3: Gayle collects a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 8 Overs: 71-1
Over Summary: 1 4 1 1 0 1 ; Kings XI Punjab: 71-1 ; KL Rahul (25), Chris Gayle (41)
Ben Stokes, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Gayle hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 5: Gayle gets an insid edge to keeper for no run.
Ball 4: Rahul drives the full delivery towards long-on for a single.
Ball 3: Gayle pulls the short delivery towards cow corner for a single.
Ball 2: Gayle gets an outside edge through short third man for FOUR.
Ball 1: Rahul clips towards backward square leg for a single.
KXIP live score after 7 Overs: 63-1
Over Summary: 0 1 1 6 1 1 ; Kings XI Punjab: 63-1 ; KL Rahul (23), Chris Gayle (35)
Shreyas Gopal, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul drives towards deep extra cover for a single.
Ball 5: Gayle drags from outside off fpr a single.
Ball 4: Gayle slog sweeps towards deep mid-wicket for SIX.
Ball 3: Rahul hits towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: Gayle collects a single.
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 6 Overs: 53-1; Rahul on fire
Over Summary: 2 6 0 2 0 4 ; Kings XI Punjab: 53-1 ; KL Rahul (21), Chris Gayle (27)
Varun Aaron continues...
Ball 6: Rahul smashes towards cow corner for FOUR.
Ball 5: Rahul tucks towards mid-wicket pocket for no run.
Ball 4: Rahul flicks the half volley on the pads towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: A short delivery and Rahul pulls towards deep square leg for SIX.
Ball 1: Rahul heaves towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
KXIP live score after 5 Overs: 39-1; Gayle on fire
Over Summary: 0 4 6 4 0 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 39-1 ; KL Rahul (7), Chris Gayle (27)
Kartik Tyagi, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Gayle hits towards mid-on for no run.
Ball 5: Gayle ducks under the bumper, DOT.
Ball 4: Gayle squeezes the yorker length delivery towards deep extra cover for FOUR.
Ball 3: Another good length delivery, Gayle smacks it towards mid-wicket for SIX.
Ball 2: Gayle smashes over mid-off for FOUR.
Ball 1: A good length delivery outside, Gayle tries to smack it but misses.
KXIP live score after 4 Overs: 25-1; Parag drops Gayle
Over Summary: 0 1 Wd 6 2 1 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 25-1 ; KL Rahul (6), Chris Gayle (13)
Aaron continues...
Ball 6: Rahul tucks towards mid-wicket for no run.
Ball 5: Gayle clips towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 4: Another short delivery, Gayle goes for a pukk shot again but Parag drops the skier at deep backward square leg boundary. TWO runs taken.
Ball 3: A short delivery and Gayle pulls towards deep backward square leg for SIX.
Ball 3: WIDE down the leg side.
Ball 2: Rahul steers down to third man for a single.
Ball 1: Rahul pushes towards extra cover for no run.
KXIP live score after 3 Overs: 14-1
Over Summary: 0 4 0 0 1 0 ; Kings XI Punjab: 14-1 ; KL Rahul (6), Chris Gayle (4)
Jofra Archer continue....
Ball 6: A back of length delivery, Gayle leaves it to the keeper. DOT
Ball 5: Rahul steers down to third man for a single.
Ball 4: Rahul guides towards backward point for no run.
Ball 3: Rahul dabs towards backward point for no run.
Ball 2: A short and wide delivery, Rahul cuts just over backward point for FOUR.
Ball 1: DOT
KXIP live score after 2 Overs: 9-1
Over Summary: Wd2 0 0 0 0 0 Wd Wd 4 ; Kings XI Punjab: 9-1 ; KL Rahul (1), Chris Gayle (4)
Varun Aaron, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
Ball 7: Gayle gets an inside edge through keeper for FOUR.
Ball 6: WIDE down the leg side.
Ball 6: A bumper goes over Gayle's head, WIDE called.
Ball 5: Gayle hits towards square leg for no run.
Ball 4: Aaron beats Gayle just outside off. DOT
Ball 3: Gayle defends towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
Ball 1: Aaron starts with a WIDE delivery down the leg side. A fumble from Samson gifts KXIP one more.
Chris Gayle, left handed bat, comes to the crease
KXIP live score after 1 Over: 1-1
Over Summary: 0 0 0 0 1 W ; Kings XI Punjab: 1-1 ; KL Rahul (1), Mandeep Singh (0)
Rahul and Mandeep at the crease. Rahul is on strike. Jofra Archer will open the attack
Ball 6: A short delivery, Mandeep has not a clue as the ball hits his gloves and ball scoops in the air. Ben Stokes runs forward from backward point and takes a diving catch to end the innings. Mandeep c Stokes b Jofra Archer 0(1)
Ball 5: Rahul dabs softly towards cover-point region for a single.
Ball 4: Rahul plays a check drive towards cover region for no run.
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Rahul puches towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 1: Rahul squeezes the yorker length delivery towards square lef for no run.
KXIP playing 11
Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul(w/c), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
RR playing 11
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson(w), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi
Anil Kumble, Director of cricket operations of Kings XI Punjab during match 50 of season 13 of the Dream 11 Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on the 30th October 2020. Photo by: Pankaj Nangia / Sportzpics for BCCI
Orange cap holder in IPL 2020
KL Rahul captain of Kings XI Punjab before the start of the match 50 of season 13 of the Dream 11 Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on the 30th October 2020. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCI
Rahul, Mandeep ahead of KXIP vs RR match
KL Rahul captain of Kings XI Punjab and Mandeep Singh before the start of the match 50 of season 13 of the Dream 11 Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on the 30th October 2020. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCI
Steve Smith ahead of KXIP vs RR match
Steve Smith captain of Rajasthan Royals before the start of the match 50 of season 13 of the Dream 11 Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Kings XI Punjab and the Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on the 30th October 2020. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCI
IPL 2020: Most number of sixes
POS
PLAYER
Mat
Inns
NO
Runs
HS
Avg
BF
SR
100
50
4s
6s
1
Sanju Samson
12
12
1
326
85
29.63
207
157.48
0
3
17
23
2
Nicholas Pooran
12
12
4
329
77
41.12
192
171.35
0
2
23
22
3
Ishan Kishan
10
9
1
323
99
40.37
228
141.66
0
2
20
21
4
Hardik Pandya
12
11
4
241
60*
34.42
138
174.63
0
1
14
20
5
AB de Villiers
12
11
4
339
73*
48.42
198
171.21
0
4
26
20
6
KL Rahul
12
12
2
595
132*
59.5
450
132.22
1
5
52
20
7
Kieron Pollard
12
9
7
218
60*
109
109
200
0
1
11
18
8
Quinton de Kock
12
12
2
392
78*
39.2
280
140
0
4
34
18
9
Eoin Morgan
13
13
3
350
44
35
267
131.08
0
0
27
18
10
Rahul Tewatia
12
10
5
224
53
44.8
156
143.58
0
1
11
16
KXIP vs RR head to head
Total matches: 20
KXIP won: 9
RR won: 11
No result: 0
Key stats ahead of KXIP vs RR match
Rahul is closing in on 600 runs for the season but has scores of 15, 27 and 28 in the last three matches. However, the Royals have been a friendly opposition to him: he averages 57.33 against them and his last five matches have produced innings of 84, 95, 4, 52 and 69, the last one coming earlier this season in Sharjah. If batsmen around him can take their chances early, he could consider dropping the anchor and looking to cash in on the death overs.
Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul after scoring a century during KXIP vs RCB match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Photo: PTI
KXIP vs RR playing 11 prediction
Kings XI Punjab: Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (capt, wk), Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Mandeep Singh/ Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, M Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh
Rajasthan Royals: Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson, Steven Smith (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Ankit Rajpoot/ Varun Aaron/ Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi
IPL 2020, KXIP vs RR: Clash of big hitters
This match will pit the two most prolific six-hitters - after 48 games this season - against each other. Samson (23) and Pooran (22) have smashed the most sixes so far, with Rahul (20) not too far behind either.
KXIP vs RR toss prediction
With the return of dew, toss has become significant. Captains are back at wanting to chase. Abu Dhabi's bigger boundaries also bring the spinners into the equation a lot more.
IPL 2020: Top 10 bowlers
POS
PLAYER
Mat
Inns
Ov
Runs
Wkts
BBI
Avg
Econ
SR
4w
5w
1
Kagiso Rabada
12
12
47.4
388
23
4 for 24
16.86
8.13
12.43
1
0
2
Jasprit Bumrah
12
12
48
345
20
4 for 20
17.25
7.18
14.4
1
0
3
Mohammad Shami
12
12
46.4
395
20
3 for 15
19.75
8.46
14
0
0
4
Yuzvendra Chahal
12
12
46
333
18
3 for 18
18.5
7.23
15.33
0
0
5
Rashid Khan
12
12
48
240
17
3 for 7
14.11
5
16.94
0
0
6
Jofra Archer
12
12
47.4
320
17
3 for 19
18.82
6.71
16.82
0
0
7
Trent Boult
12
12
47.2
397
17
4 for 18
23.35
8.38
16.7
1
0
8
Varun Chakravarthy
12
12
48
336
15
5 for 20
22.4
7
19.2
0
1
9
Anrich Nortje
11
11
44
343
15
3 for 33
22.86
7.79
17.6
0
0
10
Rahul Chahar
12
12
43
338
14
2 for 18
24.14
7.86
18.42
0
0
IPL 2020: Top 10 batsmen
POS
PLAYER
Mat
Inns
NO
Runs
HS
Avg
BF
SR
100
50
4s
6s
1
KL Rahul
12
12
2
595
132*
59.5
450
132.22
1
5
52
20
2
Shikhar Dhawan
12
12
3
471
106*
52.33
319
147.64
2
2
52
10
3
David Warner
12
12
1
436
66
39.63
324
134.56
0
3
39
12
4
Virat Kohli
12
12
4
424
90*
53
346
122.54
0
3
21
10
5
Devdutt Padikkal
12
12
0
417
74
34.75
324
128.7
0
4
45
8
6
Shubman Gill
13
13
1
404
70*
33.66
349
115.75
0
3
38
9
7
Faf du Plessis
12
12
2
401
87*
40.1
285
140.7
0
4
38
12
8
Mayank Agarwal
10
10
0
398
106
39.8
256
155.46
1
2
39
15
9
Quinton de Kock
12
12
2
392
78*
39.2
280
140
0
4
34
18
10
Shreyas Iyer
12
12
1
389
88*
35.36
305
127.54
0
2
29
13
Key bowlers for Rajasthan Royals
RR's bowling has been dependent solely on Jofra Archer (17 wickets from 12 games) who will once again try to pose some serious threat for the Punjab batters.
Kartik Tyagi, Ankit Rajpoot, and Shreyas Gopal would need to provide an able support to Archer with breakthroughs at regular intervals.
Key batsmen for KXIP
KXIP captain KL Rahul (595 runs from 12 matches) has been leading the batting from the front and has received good support from his opening partner Mayank Agarwal, who missed last two games due to bruised knee.
Mandeep Singh has filled in for Agarwal in the last two games and scored an unbeaten 66 in his previous match in which KXIP beat Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets.
Meanwhile, in-form Chris Gayle (177 from 5 matches) has also been quite impressive. Nicholas Pooran and Glenn Maxwell have managed to provide stability in the middle order for KXIP in their recent matches.
RR squad for IPL 2020
Rajasthan Royals: Steven Smith (C), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Andrew Tye, Kartik Tyagi, Ankit Rajpoot, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, Akash Singh, David Miller, Manan Vohra, Shashank Singh, Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Robin Uthappa, Aniruddha Joshi, Jofra Archer.
KXIP squad for IPL 2020
Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul (C), Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel, Mandeep Singh, James Neesham, Tajinder Singh, Chris Jordan, Karun Nair, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sarfaraz Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Nicholas Pooran, Chris Gayle, Murugan Ashwin, Jagadeesha Suchith, Krishnappa Gowtham, Hardus Viljoen and Simran Singh.
Positives for Rajasthan ahead of today's match
The biggest positive for the Royals is Ben Stokes roaring back to form after rusty displays in previous five outings. The English all-rounder, who has been elevated to the role of opener, smashed an unbeaten 107 to help seal a seven-wicket win over Mumbai earlier this week.
Sanju Samson is also back among runs, while Jos Buttler has looked erratic. That skipper Steve Smith is in the middle of a lean patch will augur well for KXIP.
IPL 2020, Match 50: KXIP vs RR preview
A rampaging Kings XI Punjab would look to extend their exceptional run and inch closer to a Play-offs berth while Rajasthan Royals would be desperate to stay alive in the tournament when the two sides clash in a an IPL match, here on Friday.
It has been a dramatic turnaround for the KL Rahul-led side after a string a losses earlier in the tournament.
They have managed to weave together five consecutive wins against the top four sides in the tournament, infusing life into their campaign. They are in fourth position with 12 points from as many games, while the Royals have slumped to the penultimate spot with 10 points having suffered seven defeats from 12 outings.
It's a mad scramble for the play-offs. With Mumbai Indians all but through, six teams are in the hunt for the remaining three spots.
The Royals can't afford to slip up, if they lose on Friday they will be out of the reckoning while a defeat for Punjab will dent their chances for a top-four finish.
They would expect their skipper Rahul, the leading run-scorer of the tournament, to fire in the crucial game after three underwhelming performances with the bat.
The addition of Chris Gayle has done wonders for the team's confidence.
It is to be seen if Mayank Agarwal, who missed two games with a bruised knee, returns to the side. In his absence, Mandeep Singh revelled in the role of an opener with a match-winning unbeaten 66 in the win against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Punjab's bowling, which has been their weakest link throughout the tournament, has been exceptional in their recent wins, choking the opposition for runs.
The Royals will also be high on confidence after their morale boosting win over table toppers Mumbai and would be desperate to keep the winning momentum going.