The match between Rajasthan Royals vs. Bangalore Royal challengers was expected to be favorable for the homeside team (Bangalore Royal Challengers). But the expectations were foiled when Rajasthan Royals outsmarted the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Bangalore team headed by Rahul Dravid started their Innings thru a poor opening. Chanderpaul was dismissed for 2 and Dravid for none. Taylor played a good innings by scoring 44 runs off 20 balls (6 boundaries and 3 sixers). Praveen Kumar scored a decent 34 runs off 30 balls (2 boundaries and 3 sixers). At the end of 20 overs, Bangalore Royal Challengers made a total of 135 runs for the fall of 8 wickets.

Chasing the modest total of 136 runs, the Rajasthan Royals started their Innings. Rawat was dismissed for a duck. Y. Pathan scored 21 runs off 12 balls. Graeme Smith and Shane Watson made an excellent partnership and guided their team to victory. Graeme Smith had scored 49 runs off 42 balls (8 boundaries). With just 1 run in short for his half-century, Graeme Smith took the risk of hitting the ball to a sixer but unfortunately was caught out by Anil Kumble in Joshi’s bowling. Shane Watson stood till the end and completed the match with an unbeaten 61 runs off 41 balls (8 boundaries and 2 sixers). Rajasthan Royals won the match by 7 wickets. Shane Watson was declared the “Man of the Match”. The so-called “Underdogs” Rajasthan Royals posted their third consecutive victory in the four matches played so far.

Posted on April 27th, 2008 by Cricket
Filed under: IPL Cricket