IPL 2018: Match 38, Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals - Five Game-Changing Moments

Super Sunday treated us with a couple of thrilling matches, professing that one does not need scores over 200 to provide entertainment in this format.

Form team in the tournament, Kings XI Punjab clinched yet another win on their road to the playoffs by defeating Rajasthan Royals by a margin of six wickets in Indore.

The Royals’ innings was set up by Jos Buttler, as he creamed his second consecutive half-century before Mujeeb Ur Rahman turned the game around the head with his triple strike.

Fortunately, for KXIP, it was KL Rahul who was there till the end to seal it for his team.

Let us look at the game-changing moments in the match.

The Jos Buttler Show

Rajasthan Royals might have lost the match against Delhi Daredevils but found a destructive opener in Jos Buttler, who scored an explosive 60.

The Englishman confirmed his new spot in the team with yet another half-century to his name.

Buttler scored a quick 51 which came off just 39 balls, at a strike rate of 130, where he scored seven boundaries. His knock was circumspect by his standards, as the Royals kept losing wickets off regular intervals.

Mujeeb Zadran’s spell

Rajasthan Royals received three major blows from Mujeeb Ur Rahman who continues to take giant strides in IPL cricket this season. Zadran conceded only 27 runs in his spell at an economy of 6.75.

At first, he dismissed the dangerous looking Jos Buttler who just scored his half-century. Then, he went on to get rid-off Ben Stokes and Rahul Tripathi off successive deliveries, to shock the Royals.

Shreyas Gopal’s cameo

Rajasthan Royals were reeling at one point in time, with all their reputed batsman back in the hut. Had it not been the cameo from Shreyas Gopal, the Royals would have been bundled out by Kings XI Punjab on 135.

However, Gopal’s unbeaten knock of 24 helped Royals post a competitive 152, on a difficult pitch for strokeplay.

KL Rahul’s knock

Carrying on from his purple patch, KL Rahul dominated the Royals’ bowlers and helped Kings XI Punjab finish the game, adding another couple of points to their tally in the season.

Contrary to the explosive starts, KL Rahul scored a circumspect 84* off just 54 deliveries, with seven fours and three sixes, as he only gained momentum at the death.

It is now his third fifty in the IPL. His knock helped Kings XI to complete a six-wicket win over the Royals.

Karun Nair-Marcus Stoinis supporting act

Karun Nair and Marcus Stoinis gave able support to the main man for KXIP, with their respective knocks, helping the men in red stitch a vital partnership which took the game further away from the Royals.

Nair scored a fluent 31 and would be kicking himself to give it away yet again after a pretty knock.

While, Stoinis scored an unbeaten 23, to seal the deal for his side.