Rajasthan Royals have lost their perfect record in this season’s Indian Premier League after losing to Kings XI Punjab in a dramatic super over.
The table-topping Royals looked on course for a regulation victory when they posted 191/6 at the Sardar Patel Stadium, with openers Ajinkya Rahane (74) and Shane Watson (45*) getting the bulk of the runs.
However, explosive knocks from Shaun Marsh (65) and David Miller (54) kept the Kings in the match.
The Kings went into the final over of their chase with Akshar Patel and Mitchell Johnson at the crease, needing 14 runs for victory.
James Faulker did a decent job with his first five deliveries and, as a result, the Kings needed to hit five off the final ball to seal the win.
Patel very nearly hit a match-winning maximum, but his lofted shot bounced just before crossing the boundary rope, meaning the Kings also finished on 191/6.
That set up the first super over of IPL 8. The Kings batted first and, despite Chris Morris getting rid of David Miller first ball, they managed to post 15 – 12 of which came from Marsh fours.
In response, Rajasthan also lost a wicket straight away, with Johnson knocking over fellow Australian Watson.
Johnson then bowled a no ball, which Steve Smith hit for four, before Smith took a single, leaving the Royals needing 10 runs off four balls.
Faulker got run out off the next delivery, though, ending the match – a team can only lose two wickets in one super over.
Rajasthan remain top of the table, having won five of their opening six matches. Meanwhile, the Kings stay fifth, with four points from five games.
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