Richard Illingworth (England), Krishnamachari Srinivasan (India), Chettithody Shamshuddin (India, TV)
The Sharjah pitch is comparatively drier to the ones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It will slow down in the second innings but it won't be that big a deterrent as batsmen will enjoy the luxury of the smaller dimensions of the ground. Considering the line-ups of the two sides, 400 runs will be scored encompassing both innings.
The weather will be hot and humid with evening temperatures varying between 33 and 32 degress celsius. There isn't any possibility of rain, so we are in for full 40 overs.
The Kings XI Punjab will be full of confidence going into tonight's game. Both their bowling and batting department flourished in the game against RCB as they registered their second-biggest IPL victory in terms of runs - 97 runs. Most importantly, that was on a sluggish surface in Dubai. So, RR would be really wary of the firepower KXIP possess and would look to make early inroads. On the other hand, RR are also a side to watch out for, particularly after their batting exploits against CSK on Tuesday. Their line-up would further be enhnaced by the addition of Jos Buttler. So, both teams would look to make early inroads. If not, we'd be in for yet another run-feast if any batsman sees himself in and starts exploiting the shorter boundaries.
Last 5 Head To Head
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Venue Stats
14
149
10
131
4
Expert Comment
Prasen Moudgal
We are in for a high-scoring contest in Sharjah tonight. It would be ideal to win the toss and field first. Though the surface would slow down in the second innings, run-scoring won't be as difficult as it is in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Plus, the dew factor would come to the aid of the team batting second.
So, that brings an end to the most exciting match in this IPL so far. We are just nine games into the tournament and that is the best part of the IPL. Stay tuned for the remainder of the season. Until then, adios.
Unfortunately, the game has come to and with Tom Curran finishing it off for Rajasthan Royals. Who would want this topsy-turvy game to end? A brilliant exhibition of T20 cricket at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. KXIP did start it on the right note by removing the dangerous Jos Buttler early in the piece but Rajasthan captain Steve Smith and Sanju Samson kept the chasing side in the game with their 81-run partnership. Rajasthan had 100 on the board at the end of nine overs following which Rahul Tewatia got into a rut with just 7 off 18 balls. At the other end, Sanju Samson was still playing some amazing shots as he tried to keep Rajasthan in the game.
The match seemed to be well within KXIP's pocket when Shami removed Sanju Samson with Rajasthan still requiring 63 off 23 balls. While no one expected Rajasthan to get close, Tewatia became a completely different batsman and got stuck into Cottrell by smashing five sixes in the 18th over. His partner, Robin Uthappa fell on the first ball of the 19th over but Jofra Archer sealed the match with a couple of sixes. Things did get interesting when both Tewatia and Riyan Parag fell in the space of three balls but Tom Curran held his nerve to loft the ball over covers to help Rajasthan seal the match and with that two consecutive wins to start the season. Rajasthan weren't one of the fancied teams before the tournament began but they have started the campaign on the best possible note.
For KXIP, this loss would be tough to take as they faltered in a lot of segments. While the skipper KL Rahul came up with a pretty slow knock in terms of Sharjah's standards, the death bowling by Sheldon Cottrell and Mohammad Shami also made it too easy for Rahul Tewatia and Jofra Archer. The death bowling would be a massive concern especially when they face more established finishers later on in the tournament. They have now lost two close games apart from the win against RCB.
19.3 Murugan Ashwin to Tom Curran, FOUR! CURRAN FINISHES IT IN STYLE! Tossed up on a length outside off stump and Curran waits for it before nonchalantly lifting it over extra cover for four. That's that then! A manic contest comes to an end!
A twist in the tale? Riyan Parag has been bowled by a googly. Still two runs to get! Tom Curran could possibly come in now.
19.2 Murugan Ashwin to Riyaan Parag, OUT! O MY GOODNESS! SURELY NOT! Full delivery on off stump and Parag goes a long way across trying to play the sweep shot. He gets it all wrong though as the ball crashes into middle stump! RR still require 2 off 4 balls!
19.1 Murugan Ashwin to Riyaan Parag, yorker on off stump and Parag digs that one straight out to the bowler. Dot to start the over
Anti-climax for Rahul Tewatia as he falls with just two runs to win the match for Rajasthan. They still have an over to get it. RR: 222/5 off 19 overs. They require 2 runs off 6 balls.
18.6 Mohammed Shami to Rahul Tewatia, OUT! TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FOR KXIP? Short delivery on off stump and the ball just sticks in the surface. Tewatia is early into his shot and can only lob it straight down to the fielder at deep mid wicket
18.5 Mohammed Shami to Rahul Tewatia, OVER POINT AND SIX MORE! RAJASTHAN ARE DOING THIS AT A CANTER NOW! Short outside off stump and there is too much width on that one! Tewatia flays his bat and smacks it over point for six
18.4 Mohammed Shami to Jofra Archer, full delivery outside off stump and Archer carves that one out to the sweeper on the point fence for a single
This is audacious from Jofra Archer. Archer isn't even looking at where the ball is landing. He is hitting it that well. Diabolical bowling from KXIP though! They have been pretty abysmal in the past few overs!
18.3 Mohammed Shami to Jofra Archer, SIX MORE! ARCHER IS DOING IT HIS WAY! Another delivery that is right in the slot and Archer just swings through the line! He plonks his front foot and then mauls it over long on for six!
18.2 Mohammed Shami to Jofra Archer, SIX! ARCHER GOES BIG FIRST UP! Banged into the track outside off stump and Shami has been plundered over cow corner for a huge maximum!
18.1 Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa, OUT! SHAMI KEEPING KXIP IN THE GAME! Another length delivery and Uthappa somehow decides to check his shot mid-way. He gets it right out of the middle but the lack of flourish means that he chips it straight down Pooran's throat at long off
Five sixes, ladies and gentlemen, five sixes in one over. Rahul Tewatia has dispatched Sheldon Cottrell in the best possible way. Rajasthan probably ahead now. RR: 203/3 off 18 overs. They require 21 off 12 balls.
17.6 Sheldon Cottrell to Rahul Tewatia, FIVE IN THE OVER! Another slower delivery right in the slot and Tewatia has just smoked it over deep mid wicket for another six! Cottrell has floundered under pressure big time here!
17.5 Sheldon Cottrell to Rahul Tewatia, slower delivery outside off stump and Tewatia has a huge hack across the line. He swipes at thin air though and Mr. Cottrell is not going to undergo the same fate as a certain Stuart Broad!
What a turn-around for Rahul Tewatia here. 17 off 23 balls and now 24 off 4 balls in this over. RR require 27 off 14 balls now. Things heating up.
17.4 Sheldon Cottrell to Rahul Tewatia, FOUR SIXES IN A ROW! YUVRAJ SINGH, WHERE ARE YOU!? Low full toss outside off stump and Tewatia walks across his stumps before sweeping it over mid wicket for another maximum!
17.3 Sheldon Cottrell to Rahul Tewatia, ANOTHER MAXIMUM! MY WORD! Slower delivery that lands right in the slot on off stump and Tewatia has slammed that one over extra cover for a six! Cottrell has been poor this over!
