Rajasthan Royals win first of three games hosted in Jaipur
Having lost three games consecutively, the Rajasthan Royals made a stunning comeback yesterday at their home ground, beating the Kochi Tuskers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kerala-c803 by 8 wickets in the 28th match of the Indian Premier League's fourth edition (IPL) on 24 April, 2011.
This convincing victory not only saved the Royals from early crash but will also serve as a confidence booster for the upcoming games.
Champions of the inaugural IPL edition, Rajasthan has been somewhat off-track in this tournament.
Though they started with a winning note and won the two initial games but they slumped soon afterwards, losing the three preceding games.
Before moving to their home venue for the next three games, the Royals’ skipper and the Australian cricketing legend, Shane Warne, said, “We are tough team to beat at home.” He further explained, “We go back to Jaipur and play three games in 10 days at home. We need to win all.”
In yesterday’s game, Jaipur witnessed the Rajasthan side regaining their momentum and performing excellently.
Winning the toss, the Royals elected to field first as they were well accustomed to their home wicket.
Mahela Jayawardene and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Johan-Botha-c67173 on his very first delivery.
Among successive batsmen, only http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ravindra-c84236 Jadeja could score in double figures, 32 and 22 respectively.
The Rajasthan bowling was very effective against the Tuskers, Warne picked up three important wickets, the medium pacer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Siddharth-Trivedi-c2526 chipped in with three wickets while Botha and Amit Singh bowled one player each to restrict the Tuskers to just 109 for all out.
Watson and Dravid opened the innings for the Royals, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, who underperformed in the last two games, was just one rus short of his fifty.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 remained unbeaten as the Royals stood victorious after only 14.1 overs.
It was, indeed, a thumping victory for the Royals after a long tip. The Warne-led side is committed to strive for the title once again with renewed vigour.
This victory will lead them through the next two games at their home ground against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 Indians (29 April, 2011) and the Pune Warriors (1 May, 2011).
Warne was very critical of his team after they lost three successive games, their performance was deplorable, especially in the 17th match of the IPL, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Knight-c71599 Riders, losing the match after the humiliating performance.
The Royals will be looking to take strength from this comeback and extend it further. They will have to win the next couple of games, especially the ones at their home venue.
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