IPL 2018, KXIP vs RR: 4 Unnoticed things from the game 

Kings XI Punjab clashed with Rajasthan Royals at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Put into bat first, Rajasthan Royals got off to a disastrous start, losing Darcy Short in the very first over. However, Jos Butler held up one end and reached his IPL fifty. He along with Sanju Samson added 49 runs for the third wicket.

However, some tight bowling from Kings XI Punjab bowlers with wickets at regular intervals ensured Rajasthan Royals could only muster 152-9 in their 20 overs.

In reply, Kings XI lost Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal early. However, KL Rahul anchored the innings along with Mayank Agarwal, and with Marcus Stoinis later in the innings, to complete a comprehensive victory for the home team. Rahul’s 84 was a match-winning knock but for his 3-27 that dented the Rajasthan Royals batting, Mujeeb ur Rahman was awarded Man of the Match.

In a topsy-turvy game, let us look at 5 unnoticed things from today’s encounter.

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#5 Chris Gayle’s diving catch to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane

In the 4th over of Rajasthan’s innings, Ajinkya Rahane cut one short delivery from Axar Patel that caught a thick edge, after which the ball lobbed into the air and was caught diving forward by Chris Gayle at short third man region.

The agility of the 38-year-old West Indian surprised everyone as he made a valiant effort in taking the catch. This brought smiles to everyone’s faces, including Gayle himself.

#4 Effort by Mayank, credit to Manoj

Cricket is all about teamwork. In the 13th over, Ben Stokes skied one straight down the ground, of the bowling of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The ball was caught at the boundary by Mayank Agarwal but he was unbalanced and threw the ball to long off fielder Manoj Tiwary, who caught it easily.

This relay effort resulted in the wicket of Ben Stokes. The funny part was the hard work was put in by Mayank Agarwal but the scoreboard showed Manoj Tiwary’s name. But neither should complain as cricket is all about teamwork and the end result is all that matters.

#3 Royals registered third lowest total batting first at Indore

On a flat batting track at Indore, a score of 180 is the bare minimum. But Rajasthan fell away in the later part of the innings only to end up with a below-par total of 152/9. This was the third lowest total at the Holkar stadium and surprisingly they are involved 2 times in 3 games.

The other 2 lowest totals are:

1) 97 by RR against Kochi Tuskers in 2011

2) 148 by RCB against Kings X1 Punjab in 2017

#2 KL Rahul has scored both fastest and slowest 50’s this season

KL Rahul started this IPL season with a bang, scoring the fastest 50, in just 14 deliveries against Delhi Daredevils in the second match of this season’s IPL. This knock set up the IPL season and Kings XI campaign kicked off in grand style. However, he was more subdued against Rajasthan Royals as it was the need of the hour.

With two important wickets lost early in the innings, Rahul cut down his aggressive strokeplay and played with a calm head. He notched up his 50 in 44 deliveries which is the slowest ever in his career. But it didn’t matter as this knock ensured Kings XI Punjab a comprehensive victory.

#1 KL Rahul’s 84 lasted 54 deliveries, which was his lengthiest knock

Rahul not only scored his slowest 50, but this innings was the longest time ever he spent the time in the crease in terms of the number balls faced (54).

Let us look at the most balls faced by Rahul in IPL history:

54 balls vs RR

53 balls vs MI

40 balls vs MI

35 balls vs GL

35 balls vs RPS