Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane was a happy man after his team finally registered its first win of the season. After losing the opening three games, the Royals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets on Tuesday. The Royals bowlers did extremely well to restrict the formidable batting lineup of Royal Challengers to a modest 158 for 4 after Ajinkya Rahane decided to bowl first.
In reply, the Royals were off to a solid start with Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler adding 60 runs for the first wicket. The partnership was ended in the eighth over when Yuzvendra Chahal trapped Rahane for 22. Buttler, however, did not let Royal Challengers capitalise on the breakthrough as he went on to score his second fifty of the season to lay the foundation for the chase. Chahal came to Royal Challengers rescued again when he dismissed Buttler for 60 to revive his team’s slim hopes.
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Steve Smith and Rahul Tripathi then shared a 50-run stand to all but seal the game before the former departed with the team needing 4 from six balls. Tripathi then finished the proceedings with a six on the fifth ball of the final over.
Speaking at the end of the game, Ajinkya Rahane expressed his relief after the first win of the season. He also praised Shreyas Iyer, Steve Smith, Rahul Tripathi and Ben Stokes for their performances.
“Our thinking was, dew would come into effect. His (Shreyas Gopal) record against Virat and AB – we all know. Overall, it was a great team effort. After 3-4 overs, we came to know that the wicket was slow. All the bowlers chipped in really well. That’s what we wanted to do. We played good cricket in the last three matches. Today, it was about giving more than 100 percent. I think the way he (Tripathi) batted with Smith and Stokes, it was incredible,” said Rahane.