Yashasvi Jaiswal saw Nitish Rana bowling first over and understood he can build big score by taking charge: Parthiv Patel

Rajasthan Royals resurrected their campaign, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets at the Eden Gardens in Match No. 56 of the IPL 2023 on Thursday night. The victory brought much-needed relief to the Royals camp which had lost their previous three games. 

The KKR batting line-up attack bore the brunt of a brilliant bowling spell, especially from spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who claimed 4/25 and also became IPL’s highest wicket-taker in the process. 

Venkatesh Iyer fought hard for KKR, scoring 57 runs in 42 deliveries (2x4, 4x6) but that was not enough as the hosts could muster only a modest 149/8 in their 20 overs. In reply, Royals’ opener Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered a quickfire 98 not out (47b, 12x4, 5x6) and was ably supported by skipper Sanju Samson who scored 48 not out (29b, 2x4, 5x6) as the visitors overhauled the target in only 13.1 overs. Jaiswal also hit the IPL’s fastest half-century reaching the milestone in only 13 balls. 

The win took RR to 12 points and they now occupy the 3^rd place on the points table by virtue of a better run rate over Mumbai Indians. KKR, on the other hand, find themselves in 7^th place with 10 points. 

JioCinema IPL expert Parthiv Patel was left spellbound by Jaiswal's innings and showered him with rich praise, saying: “The way Yashasvi batted tonight. You talk about the likes of Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, the brutal hitting that we talk about.

Here the batting was with proper timing and proper cricketing shots. At no point did it feel like he was forcing anything, just timing it well. He backed his game plan really well. He saw Nitish Rana bowling the first over and understood that he can build a big score if he takes charge, and that’s what he did with a six on the first ball. That shows the thought process of the young generation, they aren’t afraid of anything.” 

Chahal’s deceptive bowling gave the KKR middle and lower order no chance to recover. JioCinema IPL expert Graeme Smith said: “KKR knew they needed 180 on the evening. The fielding was brilliant and the effort was excellent, some great catches.

Yuzi Chahal came in at a time when they needed to accelerate and he controlled the back end of the innings. He’s able to toss the ball up, and tactically just one step ahead of all batters. He has the ability to bowl wide and then comes in straight with the slider.” 

On Samson, Smith said: “He’s got such natural ability. He’s just a natural timer. When you watch these guys, it seems so easy and effortless to get the ball over the boundary. He’s such a talented cricketer. Sometimes I want to shake Sanju Samson and get more out of him. He’s another talent you think you should just go to the next level.”