Punjab Trapped in Jaipur Fortress

Rajasthan maintained their 100% record on their home ground Jaipur with a ruthless victory over Punjab on Wednesday. At the business end of the tournament this win will give them a lot of confidence. Rajasthan made a mockery of Punjab’s total by chasing it down in just 15 overs. In the process they boosted their net run-rate which may play a crucial part in deciding the semi final spots.

Sangakarra won the first battle; that of the toss. Punjab stuck to their last game’s combination and again started with Jayawardene and Bisla who gave them a brisk start. Punjab maintained a healthy run rate in first half of their inning but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. There was a good partnership between Jayawardene and Yuvraj which got them in a dominant position. Yuvraj looked good and took a special liking to Warne and hit him for 3 sixes.

But in the 12^th over of the inning, Warne called back Dole who was his strike bowler in the absence of Morkel and Tait. Dole did not disappoint his captain and took the wicket of Yuvraj and Jayawardene in the same over. It was undoubtedly the turning point in the match. Warne should be applauded for his captaincy here as he still kept a slip in 12^th over even for a set Jayawardene. Punjab lost their way from that point and a score of 180 which was looking likely at that stage turned into a modest total of 150. They could not manage to hit single boundary in last five overs.

Chasing 150, Lumb (83 of 44) and Ojha (44 of 37) sealed the match for Rajasthan in the first 6 overs itself and there was no looking back. Rajasthan were 70-0 in 6 overs when Punjab called for time-out early in the inning. Lumb was striking the ball brilliantly and Ojha complimented him with some risk free batting. Punjab was poor in the field and with the new ball. Shreesanth once again displayed what not to do on a cricket field. The chase showed just how confident Rajasthan is feeling about themselves and in this kind of form they can upset the best sides in the tournament.

The victory takes them to the 3^rd spot in the points table and a semis berth is a very much possibility now, especially after bad start to IPL-3.

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