IPL 2014 Highlights, KXIP vs RR: Kings XI Punjab Beat Rajasthan Royals by 16 runs to Finish as Table Toppers

Kings XI Punjab's win over Rajasthan Royals in Mohali makes the Indian Premier League more interesting with three teams vying for one spot. Follow the match highlights here (Scorecard | Commentary | Schedule | Points Table):

 

00:09 (IST): That is all from Mohali. Punjab are at the top and Rajasthan need to win against Mumbai in their last game to make it to the playoffs. The next game is between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru on Saturday at 4 pm IST.

 

00:08 (IST): George Bailey looks a happy man and is impressed by how his team built an innings.

"We have been trying to have a smaller gap between your best and worst cricket. We said we had a lot of batters capable of scoring between 20 and 40 but the pleasing thing tonight was we kept wickets in hand and building stands. Karanveer has been patient and bowled beautifully tonight. I thought Balaji and Rishi were excellent in the middle overs. Akshar too," he signed off.

 

00:06 (IST): Man of the match Shaun Marsh credited the win to a good team performance.

"Enjoyed batting with Manan. The bowlers were fantastic. The ball was coming on really nicely, full credit to our bowlers. Good that we got a good win tonight," he said.

 

00:02 (IST): Shane Watson is gracious in defeat and admits they face an important game against Mumbai.

"Very good wicket. I'm a culprit for losing my wicket. Faulkner has been incredible with the bat. We have got to pick ourselves up from tonight's game. The game against Mumbai Indians is a knockout, " he said.

 

23:50 (IST): And that's it! Rajasthan manage 163/8. Punjab have assured themselves that they finish at the top of the table with 20 points. The door is still open for Rajasthan, Mumbai and Hyderabad to make it to the playoffs.

 

 

23:43 (IST): 18 runs come off the 19th over, but still 31 needed of 6 balls. Rajasthan 149/8 in 19 overs, Target: 180.

 

23:35 (IST): Punjab are all over Rajasthan at the moment and look set to seal a place in the top two. Rajasthan 131/8 in 18 overs.

 

23:24 (IST):  WICKET! Tewatia is gone and Rajasthan are looking lost. Hodge and Faulkner now have a tough task. Rajasthan 103/6 in 15.5 overs, Target: 180.

 

23:11 (IST): Samson is gone for 30, Rajasthan strugglling to chase down 180. Rajasthan 83/5 in 13.1 overs, Target: 180.

 

23:03 (IST): Samson is the key for Rajasthan as they lose wickets regularly. Rajasthan 77/4 in 12 overs, Target: 180.

 

22:49 (IST): WICKET! Rishi strikes again! Watson's stumps are rearranged and he is gone for a duck. Rajasthan 56/3 in 8.2 overs.

 

 

22:48 (IST): WICKET! Rishi beats Rahane for pace and sends him back for 23. Rajasthan 56/2 in 8.1 overs, Target: 180.

 

22:40 (IST): Rahane, Samson looking good as they accelerate the scoring rate. Rajasthan 54/1 in 7 overs, Target: 180.

 

22:30 (IST): Onus now on Rahane and Samson to take Rajasthan forward. Rajasthan 31/1 in 5 overs, Target: 180.

 

22:21 (IST): WICKET! Karun is gone and Punjab draw first blood. Punjab 21/1 in 2.3 overs.

 

22:11 (IST): A steady start by Rajasthan as they take five runs off the first over. Rajasthan 5/0 in 1 over, Target: 180.

 

21:54 (IST): Punjab finish on 179/4. Rajasthan need 180 to confirm a place in the top four.

 

 

21:47 (IST): 23 runs of Faulkner's last over and Punjab well on their way to finish big. 169/4 in 19 overs.

 

21:40 (IST): Punjab set to get a total in excess of 160. Punjab 146/4 in 18 overs.

 

21:32 (IST): Punjab's innings steaming off thanks to some good bowling by Rajasthan. Punjab 130/4 in 16.3 overs.

 

21:23 (IST): WICKET! Saha is sent back for 27 thanks to a good catch by Rahane. Punjab 119/4 in 14.4 overs.

 

21:16 (IST): The match resumes and Miller is off the mark. Punjab 114/3 in 13.2 overs.

 

21:13 (IST): A good sign is that the covers are coming off at Mohali.

 

21:05 (IST): Umpires having a brief discussion as the drizzle builds up.

 

20:57 (IST): WICKET! Marsh departs for 40 and the covers come on as rain stops play.

 

20:44 (IST): Marsh looking to enjoy himself as he cuts loose. Punjab 82/2 in 9.5 overs.

 

 

20:32 (IST): WICKET! Vohra fails to ground his bat and is sent back to 25. Punjab 54/2 in 6.3 overs.

 

20:19 (IST): Punjab look to get back on track after losing Sehwag early on. Punjab 37/1 in 4 overs.

 

20:13 (IST): WICKET! Faulkner strikes to remove Sehwag for 18. A vital breakthrough for Rajasthan. Punjab 24/1 in 2.2 overs.

 

 

20:06 (IST): Sehwag takes 15 runs of Malik's opening opener. Punjab 15/0 in 1 over.

 

19:57 (IST): A win for Punjab today would seal them a place in the top two. This means they will have two chances of making it into the final.

 

19:34 (IST): Rajasthan win the toss and decide to bowl against Punjab. Glenn Maxwell is the surprise exclusion for Punjab while Rajasthan bring back Rahane and Tambe.

 

A victory tonight, and the Rajasthan Royals will be through to the playoffs. However, it will not be easy to get past the Kings XI Punjab on their homeground. The Kings XI have been the best side in the tournament and to upstage them, the Royals will need a massive effort. They of course have the resources to do that. Punjab will meanwhile, look to consolidate their position at the top and go to the last-four on a high.

Preview: Rajasthan Royals Seek Victory Against Kings XI Punjab to Seal Playoff Berth

 

As the scramble for the top four positions has set off, Kings XI Punjab have not much to worry even as they look to consolidate their position at the top while a victory for Rajasthan Royals is a must when the two teams clash on Friday.

Punjab, who lost to Mumbai Indians here on Wednesday, are currently on top of the table with 18 points from 12 outings. Rajasthan have 14 points from 12 matches, the same as Kolkata Knight Riders but they are placed third due to slightly better net run-rate. (Read full preview here)

 

Kings XI Punjab Drifted in the Middle Overs Against Mumbai Indians, Says Coach Sanjay Bangar


Handed a shock defeat by tournament laggards Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar feels the failure to capitalise on a good start cost his side the Indian Premier League game on Wednesday.


Having set a target of 157, Mumbai Indians won the game comfortably by seven wickets riding on an unbeaten 61-ball 100 by their West Indian import and opener Lendl Simmons.


Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference here on Wednesday, Bangar was asked to comment what went wrong for the team, which had nine victories from 11 games before coming in to this match. (Read full story here)

 

Each Win Motivates Kings XI Punjab Further, Says George Bailey

Having consolidated their position at the top of the points table with their ninth victory in IPL-7, Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey feels every win is vital as it increases confidence and self belief among the players going into the business end of the tournament.

Kings XI defeated laggards Delhi Daredevils by four wickets at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground here last night to take their tally to 18 points from nine wins out of 11 games in the ongoing IPL. (Read full story here)

 

Rajasthan Royals Don't Rely on a Few Stars, Says Rahul Dravid

Rajasthan Royals mentor Rahul Dravid says his side does not mind being called "underdogs" but their fighting brand of cricket makes them a tough side to beat in the Indian Premier League. Dravid, who led the team to the playoffs last season, said his side's stress has been to assign clear roles for each player and try to execute plans on the field.

"If you look at our team on paper, you would call us underdogs ... because we don't have those stars. But we don't mind the tag. It does not bother us anymore. We know every team is a good team and we have to perform. We don't think too far ahead," Dravid said. (Read full story here)