May 8, 2012
Scorecard: Rajasthan Royals 126 for 3 (Watson 90*) beat Pune Warriors 125 for 6 (Majumdar 30, Tait 3-13) by seven wickets
Shane Watson made an aggressive half-century, Pune Warriors v Rajasthan Royals, IPL, Pune, May 8, 2012
May 8, 2012
Scorecard: Rajasthan Royals 126 for 3 (Watson 90*) beat Pune Warriors 125 for 6 (Majumdar 30, Tait 3-13) by seven wickets
Shane Watson made an aggressive half-century, Pune Warriors v Rajasthan Royals, IPL, Pune, May 8, 2012
Inspiring performances by Australians Shane Watson and Shaun Tait gave Rajasthan Royals a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Pune Warriors in a one-sided affair in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium here today.
The win helped 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals to stay in the hunt for a place in the in the play-offs. Rajasthan Royals now have 12 points and the win took them to the fourth place with a healthy net run rate of +0.265.
The loss was Pune's eighth in 12 matches and their chances of making it to the knock-out stages are virtually over.
Opting to bat first, Pune Warriors were restricted to 125 for six in 20 overs after Australian speedster Shaun Tait bagged three for 13 from his four overs. IPL debutant Anustup Majumdar was the top scorer with 30 for Pune Warriors. Majumdar hit two sixes and a four in his knock.
While chasing, Watson hit a blistering unbeaten 90 as Rajasthan Royals achieved the target losing three wickets and with 22 balls to spare.
Watson smacked the Pune Warriors bowling attack to all parts of the ground and his 51-ball innings was studded with 10 fours and four sixes. Watson's 56-run stand for the third wicket with Ashok Menaria (18) took Royals to the threshold of a win.
Watson was severe on Warriors' 36-year-old Murali Kartik, smashing the left-arm spinner for for three fours and two sixes. The Aussie all-rounder brought up the winning runs with a four off his compatriot and leg-spinner Steven Smith.
After losing five games in a row, Pune Warriors were in a must-win situation today to give themselves some chance of staying in the race but that was not to be and the result left the huge home crowd absolutely disappointed.
That the hosts were not in their elements today could be judged from the fact that they managed just two sixes and five fours in their entire innings.
Pune Warriors captain Sourav Ganguly admitted that Watson's innings turned the match in favour of Royals.
"We had to get Watson out early to get in the game, unfortunately we couldn't," he said.
With play-off berths out of contention, Ganguly said Pune warriors will now play for pride. "We are out of the play-offs, that's the fact, we have to play well in the remaining three," he said.
Shaun Tait picked up three wickets, Pune Warriors v Rajasthan Royals, IPL, Pune, May 8, 2012
Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid lauded the bowlers for the win. "Happy about winning, and the way we are playing. I thought the bowlers really delivered for us, as clinical as it gets, not an easy wicket to bat on but Watson had the power and technique to hit it. I've been telling the team to not look at the points table, and look to play good cricket," he said.
Courtesy: iplmag
