Royals fall to fifth consecutive defeat against RCB
- Published
Rajasthan Royals fell to a fifth consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 11 runs.
Chasing 206, Yashasvi Jaiswal got the Rajasthan innings off to a flier with a 19-ball 49, but some tight middle-order bowling and a strong performance from Josh Hazlewood (4-33) sealed a first home victory for RCB.
Having been put into bat, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt put on an opening partnership of 61 before the England batter was caught by Shimron Hetmyer off Wanindu Hasaranga for 26.
Kohli brought up his side's 100 and his 60th IPL half-century with consecutive fours in the 12th over, reaching his half-century from 32 balls.
He struck 70 from 42 before being caught at cover off England seamer Jofra Archer (1-33), while Devdutt Padikkal made 50 from 27 deliveries before being being taken at mid-on.
Tim David (23) and Jitesh Sharma (20) added 42 from the final 19 balls of the innings, with the former run out from final delivery as RCB closed on 205-5.
In the reply, Jaiswal hit seven fours and three sixes before he was caught at mid-wicket off Hazlewood from the penultimate ball of the powerplay.
Rajasthan stormed to 110-2 after nine overs, but some superb bowling from Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma dramatically slowed the Rajasthan run-rate, leaving the visiting side needing 46 from 24 deliveries.
Rajasthan hit 22 from Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 18th over, but Hazlewood returned to crush hopes of victory for the Royals, dismissing Dhruv Jurel (47) and Jofra Archer with consecutive deliveries while conceding just one run from his six balls.
Shubham Dubey and Wanindu Hasaranga were both dismissed in the final over as Rajasthan ended short of their target.
The win lifts RCB one place to third, level with leading sides Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals on 12 points, but having played a game more.
Rajasthan remain eighth with two wins and seven defeats.
