Rajasthan Royals reach semi finals while rains kill Viru’s fire
May 18th, 2008Rajasthan Royal boys arriving fresh from a short vacation at Goa, became the first IPL team to ensure its berth in the semifinals of the DLF IPL league. Also Shane Warne – Rajasthan Royals Captain has moved to the top of the Indian Premier League wicket-taking charts, claiming three scalps to guide the Rajasthan Royals to a 65-run win over Bangalore in Jaipur yesterday.
The Match started with a brief moment of silence in memory of the recent blast victims and a donation by the IPL and Camera crew for the victims to the Chief Ministers relief fund.
The legendary Australian legspinner’s 3-23 off four overs took his tally to 14 wickets in 10 matches, while helping restrict Bangalore to 9-132 off 20 overs chasing Rajasthan’s handy 1-197.
Queensland’s Shane Watson also continued with his batting form, smashing an unbeaten 46 off 26 balls for the Royals, though his innings was more of a support to man of the match Graeme Smith’s 75 not out off 49 balls.
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Ex captain Rahul Dravid, already in a controversy with the Franchisee Owner Vijay Mallaya over team selection, hammered six sixes and six fours in a 36-ball 75 not out to lead Bangalore but he had little support from his team mates and fought a lonely battle.
Even, Victoria captain Cameron White was total failure for Bangalore, scoring 10 off 16 deliveries, while not being called upon with the ball.
In the other match yesterday Delhi Daredevils faced two opponents in Kings XI Punjab and the Weather God which ensured that they concede a defeat with reference to the Duckworth-Lewis method. Earlier Virender Shewag started off his batting blitzkrieg alongwith Gautam Gambhir only to be censored by rains and which never found the rhythm and fire after the match resumed.
Tags: blast, Cameron White, dlf, Duckworth, Gautam Gambhir, Graeme Smith, indian premier league, Queensland, Rahul Dravid, Rajasthan Royals, Shane Warne, Vijay MallayaPosted in Cricket News, IPL - Rajasthan Royals, IPL News |