IPL 2021: Rajasthan Cruise To A 6 Wicket Win Over Kolkata

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Sanju Samson remained unbeaten on 42 and lead Rajasthan Royals(RR) to a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) in the 18th match of IPL 2021 on Saturday. 

Brief Score: Kolkata Knight Riders - 133/9 (Rahul Tripathi - 36; Chris Morris - 4/23) & Rajasthan Royals - 134/4 in 18.5 overs (Sanju Samson - 42*) 

IPL 2021, Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 18th Match 

Chasing a modest target of 134, RR's new opener, Yashaswi Jaiswal, started well flicking Pat Cummins for a four before he hitting the Aussie to square on the next ball. Jos Buttler's poor run of form continued as he got out scoring just five. 

Jaiswal's good-looking 22 off 17 was shortened by Shivam Mavi as Rajasthan lost second-wicket inside the powerplay. Despite losing two inside six overs, RR scored 50 runs in the powerplay which set up a good base for the rest of the batters to take the rest of the chase easily. 

Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube added 45 runs for the third wicket. Dube scored 22 from 18 balls with the help of two fours and a six. Rahul Tewatia got out early to give KKR, hope for a turnaround. 

However, Samson and David Miller stitched a run-a-ball 34 run partnership to safely chase down the target with seven balls to spare. 

Earlier, Rajasthan sent in Kolkata to bat first. RR's decision to bowl first turned out to be a correct one as KKR could only manage to score 25 in the powerplay and lost the wicket of the usual suspect - Shubman Gill early. Nitish Rana and Rahul Tripathi could only add 21 together before the former got out scoring just 22. 

Tripathi continued to rotate the strike but lost Sunil Narine and Eoin Morgan on the way before getting support from Dinesh Karthik, with whom he added 33 from 30. 

Rahul got out after scoring 36 from 26 with the help of one four and two sixes. Andre Russell joined Karthik in the middle and it seemed that the two will once again revive KKR's innings. However, Russell got out cheaply as well. 

Karthik got out soon as Kolkata failed to finish the innings on a high and finished on 133/9 in the first innings. Chris Morris was the wrecker-in-chief for RR as he took four wickets in his four overs while giving away just 23. 

After this win, Rajasthan Royals is in 6th spot in the IPL points table while Kolkata Knight Riders is struggling at the bottom.