News Analysis India

Tag: Hardik Pandya

  • Rohit Sharma Tells Wankhede Fans To Not Boo Hardik Pandya, Video Goes Viral; Watch | cricket news

    Former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma was seen calming down the crowd at Wankhede during the IPL 2024 game between home side Mumbai Indians and visitors Rajasthan Royals. The match was won by RR but throughout the game the anti-Hardik Pandya slogans were heard in the stadium. Hardik felt he was playing in an away contest in his homeground in IPL as he was constantly booed at the Wankhede stadiums. It all started at the toss when commentator Sanjay Manjrekar asked the crowd to behave when the booed as soon as Hardik’s name was called.

    Also Read | IPL 2024: Sara Tendulkar Spotted Watching MI vs RR Clash At Wankhede Stadium, See Viral PIC

    But the crowd was relentless in their pursuit to prove that this team was still Rohit Sharma’s. Every time, Hardik’s name was taken in the stadium or he came on the big screen, the fans chanted ‘Rohit, Rohit’. Hardik could be seen visibly disturbed when the crowd booed once again as he dropped a catch.

    Even Rohit could see the hostile nature of the Wankhede crowd which he had not seen before in IPL for their own player. While fielding in the deep, Rohit made a gesture to the fans sitting in that section of the crowd to calm down. The cameras captured him doing this and the video went viral instantly.

    Watch Rohit asking fans not to boo Hardik below:

    Rohit Sharma saying crowd not to boo Hardik Pandya, Just gentleman things. pic.twitter.com/xSm6cRj3BO

    — Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) April 1, 2024

    Coming to the match, Mumbai produced one of the worst performances in years as they were restricted to just 125 for 9 in 20 overs. Trent Boult demolished MI’s top-order, reducing them to 20 for 4 inside four overs. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya played knocks of 32 and 34 runs respectively to steady the innings but soon they too departed and MI kept on losing wickets from thereon, eventually finishing with just 125 on the board. RR too had a bad start but Riyan Parag played another fine innings of unbeaten 54 runs to see the team through as the visitors registered their third win on the trot.

    IPL 2024 Points Table

    Rajasthan Royals (RR) have jumped to the top of the points table with three consecutive wins to their names. They are looking in solid form. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have dropped to second spot followed by Chennai Super Kings at the third. Gujarat Titans are fourth on the table while Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants are fifth and sixth respectively. The bottom four teams are Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians.

  • Hardik Pandya SLAPS Stadium Tunnel Grill Amid ‘Rohit, Rohit’ Chants After MI Lose To SRH; Watch | cricket news

    In the heart of an electrifying IPL 2024 showdown between SunRisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium witnessed a spectacle that transcended the boundaries of mere sportsmanship. The clash, marked by a blitzkrieg of boundaries and a deluge of runs, left the crowd on the edge of their seats. Yet, amidst the cacophony of cheers and gasps, one moment stood out—a moment of raw emotion that encapsulated the trials and tribulations of professional sport.

    What a speed Pandya __ Faster than the blink _ #RohitSharma_ pic.twitter.com/G83ZjalBvx — Snigdha Sharma (@whySnigdha) March 28, 2024

    Pandya’s Agonizing Fury: A Tumultuous Journey Unfolds

    As the final whistle echoed across the stadium, signaling Mumbai Indians’ defeat, the cameras captured a riveting scene. Hardik Pandya, the newly appointed skipper, marched towards the dressing room, his demeanor reflecting a cocktail of frustration and determination. With each step, the chants reverberated louder—”Rohit, Rohit”—a stark reminder of the colossal shoes he was tasked to fill after Rohit Sharma’s illustrious reign as captain.

    A Captive Audience: The Unveiling of Pandya’s Turbulent Narrative

    The narrative surrounding Pandya’s ascent to captaincy has been nothing short of tumultuous. His transition from the Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians, coupled with the weight of leadership, invited a storm of criticism from fervent fans. The murmurs of discontent crescendoed into a deafening roar as Pandya faced his former team, Gujarat Titans, under the banner of Mumbai Indians. The spotlight intensified, casting a harsh glare on every move he made.

    The Resilience Amidst Adversity: A Glimmer of Hope

    Despite the relentless barrage of scrutiny, Pandya remains resolute in his belief in the team’s capabilities. In the aftermath of the defeat against SunRisers Hyderabad, his impassioned address to the team echoed through the corridors of the dressing room—a rallying cry in the face of adversity. He commended the valiant efforts of the bowlers, embodying the spirit of unity and fortitude that defines Mumbai Indians.

    A Beacon of Hope: The Path Forward for Mumbai Indians

    As Mumbai Indians language at the bottom of the points table, the road ahead appears fraught with challenges. However, amidst the gloom, there shines a glimmer of hope—the impending home fixture against Rajasthan Royals at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. For Pandya and his cohorts, this presents a golden opportunity to reclaim their stride and reignite the fervor of their loyal fan base.

  • 'You Get Injured 2 Months Before IPL', Praveen Kumar Slams Hardik Pandya, Asks Him To Prioritize Country Over Franchise. cricket news

    IPL 2024 is not far away. The league starts on March 22 with the first match between defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Fans are going to see some new things in the next edition, including some new captains. Pat Cummins, for example, has taken over captaincy duties at Sunrisers Hyderabad. Likewise, we will see a new captain at Mumbai Indians. Who would have thought that such a line would be written about MI so soon.

    Last year, in what was one of the most talked-about trades in IPL history, Hardik Pandya came back to Mumbai Indians and a few days later, he was also named as the captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, who won them the championship a record. five times. Rohit's ouster was not welcomed by his fans and majority of the MI fan base. MI saw a huge dip in their Instagram fan following but the management did not go back on the decision. Head coach Mark Boucher was later heard saying on a podcast about the decision, saying the fans went emotional but the decision was purely based on cricketing logic as MI aims to prepare a captain for future.

    Former India pacer Praveen Kumar's video, now, is going viral in which he can be heard speaking about Pandya's habit of getting injured just two months before IPL. He felt that Pandya is among the cricketers who are giving importance only to IPL and are ignoring national duty as well as domestic cricket. One cannot understand whether this video is new or from old times but after listening to what he is saying, one understands that it is a video of recent times.

    “You get injured two months before the IPL, you don't play for the country, you don't play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL. That's not how things should be done. It's okay to earn money, there's nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL),” Praveen Kumar said in the now viral interview clip.

    Watch the Praveen Kumar clip here:

    Former cricketer Praveen Kumar talking about Hardik Pandya how he's fit only for IPL but not for nation or domestic. He also feels Rohit Sharma could have captained 3-4 more years in MI colour_ pic.twitter.com/2I6Hljvf88 — Immy|| __ (@TotallyImro45) March 12, 2024

    The clip is going viral on the internet and may have reached Pandya's phone as well. If the MI captain watches it, he will surely look to give a fitting reply to Praveen, by playing some outstanding knocks in the league and taking MI to the record-extending sixth title.

  • ‘If Hardik Pandya Does Not Want To Play Red-Ball Cricket…’, Irfan Pathan Raises Questions Over Ambiguity In BCCI Central Contracts. cricket news

    Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has raised pertinent questions regarding the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to exclude Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from central contracts, juxtaposing it with the treatment of players like Hardik Pandya. Pathan’s inquiry into the BCCI’s rationale centers on the disparity in standards applied to different players concerning their participation in domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy.

    Also Read | Not Just Ishan Kishan And Shreyas Iyer, THESE Players Also Not Retained In BCCI Annual Player Contracts; In Pics

    Pathan’s skepticism is evident in his statement, “If players like Hardik don’t want to play red ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren’t on national duty?” He emphasizes the need for consistency in assessing players’ commitments to different formats, stressing that without uniform standards, Indian cricket’s progress could be hindered.

    The exclusion of Kishan and Iyer from central contracts marks a pivotal moment, signaling the BCCI’s stance against players prioritizing white-ball cricket and lucrative IPL contracts over first-class cricket. Pathan’s belief in the talents of Kishan and Iyer shines through as he expresses hope for their resurgence, stating, “They are talented cricketers, both Shreyas and Ishan. Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger.”

    They are talented cricketers, both Shreyas and Ishan. Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger. If players like Hardik don’t want to play red ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren’t on national duty? If this_

    — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 29, 2024

    In solidarity with the embattled duo, former India coach Ravi Shastri lends his support, underscoring the essence of comebacks in cricket. Shastri’s message to Iyer and Kishan resonates with encouragement and belief in their ability to overcome this setback. “In the game of cricket, comebacks define the spirit. Chin-up, @ShreyasIyer15 and @ishankishan51! Dig deep, face challenges, and come back even stronger. Your past achievements speak volumes, and I have no doubt you’ll conquer once. again,” Shastri stated, offering words of inspiration.

    The discourse surrounding the exclusion of Kishan and Iyer from central contracts underscores broader themes within Indian cricket, including the balance between white-ball and red-ball cricket, the significance of domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy, and the development of young talents within the Indian cricketing landscape.

  • ‘Bhai Mujhe Mat De Gande Reactions’, Mohammed Shami On Hardik Pandya Screaming Angrily On Him In IPL | cricket news

    In the first edition of Gujarat Titans (GT) in Indian Premier League, which was IPL 2022, captain Hardik Pandya lost his cool once on a senior member of the team. He was Mohammed Shami. The Indian pacer had not liked the reaction from his skipper and ensured that he spoke his mind to him but only after the match. Hardik was clearly upset after a ‘lousy’ attempt in the field and gave a mouthful to him.

    Also Read | India Vs South Africa 1st Test: Virat Kohli On Cusp Of Huge Milestone In Test Cricket, Can Break Rahul Dravid And Virender Sehwag’s Record

    In a podcast with Gaurav Kapur, Shami was asked about the same episode and the fast bowler did not mince his words and spoke his heart out. Shami said that when he saw Hardik lash out on him, he did not feel right.

    Shami said that he later told Hardik and the team management that he does not like being lashed out at by anyone on the field especially with the camera on every player.

    “Once Hardik had reacted aggressively towards me. At that time, I had told him ‘Bhai, there is a lot of responsibility. Management also came and it was my power. I am not a human being. I do not mean anything to anyone. I am still in the job. It means. I am important because of my actions. But I don’t want these dirty reactions on the screen. You say something, I say something, then the team environment gets affected. So that should not be created. After our day We didn’t react at all,” said Shami.


    Today, Shami and Hardik are teammates in India. They have already put the incident in the past. The cricketers have played enough cricket with and against each other to understand that respect is a big part of the game and that lack of it can never help a team.

    Incidentally, when Hardik injured himself during the Cricket World Cup 2023, he was replaced in the Indian playing 11 for the remaining matches by Shami, who went on to have a wonderful tournament with the ball. In IPL 2024, Shami will be bowling to Hardik, not just in the nets but in the matches as the GT captain has shifted base. Hardik was traded in to Mumbai Indians (MI) from GT in an all-cash deal. He will also be captaining MI in IPL 2024.

  • IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans Head Coach Ashish Nehra Breaks Silence On Hardik Pandya Leaving Franchise, Lists Reason Why Shubman Gill Was Named Captain

    GT coach Ashish Nehra feels Shubman Gill is the right man to lead Gujarat Titans after Hardik Pandya left for Mumbai Indians.

  • Hardik Pandya showed eagerness to learn as captain, engaged with all of his teammates: Gary Kirsten

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Hardik Pandya’s eagerness to learn as captain and his ability to effectively engage with his teammates contributed massively to Gujarat Titans’ title-winning run on IPL debut, said team mentor Gary Kirsten on Sunday.

    Kirsten, who coached India to the 2011 World Cup title, was all praise for Hardik who excelled both as skipper and player in the team’s very first season.

    “He has been fantastic, I’ve looked working with him. He’s a high-profile player in India but he’s incredibly humble, wanting to learn as a leader and engage with his players which I thing is really, really important. He’s tried to help the youngsters, he’s come in and played a different responsibility,” he told the IPL host broadcaster.

    On his experience, the South Africa said: “You never stop learning as a coach, every IPL is a learning experience, that’s what I enjoy. I’ve loved working with Ashish (Nehra), he’s really strong tactically – trying to put a gameplan together on the fly is not easy.

    “There are so many variable in each game, but what I’ve enjoyed has been the responsibility players have taken to win games for us,” he said.

    The team won games from tough situations and that became its hallmark.

    “You’re looking for good balance, good depth in the auction but most importantly you’re looking for players who can do different roles, the one thing we’ve learnt with Ashish is finding guys who were versatile, and at 4, 5 and 6 – we’ve got that.

    “We all got energy out of it, we’ve had a great bowling attack – through the end we went a bowler strong and a batter light, but we were always confident, just to get good balance in the team,” Kirsten said when asked about contributions from a variety of players over the course of the season.

    Wriddhiman Saha, who did well as an opener, said the team proved its critics wrong.

    “This is my fifth final and the second final I have won, someone said our team was not good after the auctions, but we proved them wrong,” he said.

    David Miller, who enjoyed his best ever IPL, was overjoyed.

    “It’s been a phenomenal journey, finishing it at the back end was a special feeling, but it has been a collective effort, everyone has stuck up their hand and performed well,” said Miller.

  • Hardik Pandya showed eagerness to learn as captain, engaged with all of his teammates: Gary Kirsten

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Hardik Pandya’s eagerness to learn as captain and his ability to effectively engage with his teammates contributed massively to Gujarat Titans’ title-winning run on IPL debut, said team mentor Gary Kirsten on Sunday.

    Kirsten, who coached India to the 2011 World Cup title, was all praise for Hardik who excelled both as skipper and player in the team’s very first season.

    “He has been fantastic, I’ve looked working with him. He’s a high-profile player in India but he’s incredibly humble, wanting to learn as a leader and engage with his players which I thing is really, really important. He’s tried to help the youngsters, he’s come in and played a different responsibility,” he told the IPL host broadcaster.

    On his experience, the South Africa said: “You never stop learning as a coach, every IPL is a learning experience, that’s what I enjoy. I’ve loved working with Ashish (Nehra), he’s really strong tactically – trying to put a gameplan together on the fly is not easy.

    “There are so many variable in each game, but what I’ve enjoyed has been the responsibility players have taken to win games for us,” he said.

    The team won games from tough situations and that became its hallmark.

    “You’re looking for good balance, good depth in the auction but most importantly you’re looking for players who can do different roles, the one thing we’ve learnt with Ashish is finding guys who were versatile, and at 4, 5 and 6 – we’ve got that.

    “We all got energy out of it, we’ve had a great bowling attack – through the end we went a bowler strong and a batter light, but we were always confident, just to get good balance in the team,” Kirsten said when asked about contributions from a variety of players over the course of the season.

    Wriddhiman Saha, who did well as an opener, said the team proved its critics wrong.

    “This is my fifth final and the second final I have won, someone said our team was not good after the auctions, but we proved them wrong,” he said.

    David Miller, who enjoyed his best ever IPL, was overjoyed.

    “It’s been a phenomenal journey, finishing it at the back end was a special feeling, but it has been a collective effort, everyone has stuck up their hand and performed well,” said Miller.

    AHMEDABAD: Hardik Pandya’s eagerness to learn as captain and his ability to effectively engage with his teammates contributed massively to Gujarat Titans’ title-winning run on IPL debut, said team mentor Gary Kirsten on Sunday.

    Kirsten, who coached India to the 2011 World Cup title, was all praise for Hardik who excelled both as skipper and player in the team’s very first season.

    “He has been fantastic, I’ve looked working with him. He’s a high-profile player in India but he’s incredibly humble, wanting to learn as a leader and engage with his players which I thing is really, really important. He’s tried to help the youngsters, he’s come in and played a different responsibility,” he told the IPL host broadcaster.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    On his experience, the South Africa said: “You never stop learning as a coach, every IPL is a learning experience, that’s what I enjoy. I’ve loved working with Ashish (Nehra), he’s really strong tactically – trying to put a gameplan together on the fly is not easy.

    “There are so many variable in each game, but what I’ve enjoyed has been the responsibility players have taken to win games for us,” he said.

    The team won games from tough situations and that became its hallmark.

    “You’re looking for good balance, good depth in the auction but most importantly you’re looking for players who can do different roles, the one thing we’ve learnt with Ashish is finding guys who were versatile, and at 4, 5 and 6 – we’ve got that.

    “We all got energy out of it, we’ve had a great bowling attack – through the end we went a bowler strong and a batter light, but we were always confident, just to get good balance in the team,” Kirsten said when asked about contributions from a variety of players over the course of the season.

    Wriddhiman Saha, who did well as an opener, said the team proved its critics wrong.

    “This is my fifth final and the second final I have won, someone said our team was not good after the auctions, but we proved them wrong,” he said.

    David Miller, who enjoyed his best ever IPL, was overjoyed.

    “It’s been a phenomenal journey, finishing it at the back end was a special feeling, but it has been a collective effort, everyone has stuck up their hand and performed well,” said Miller.

  • Hardik Pandya shines with ball as Gujarat Titans limit Rajasthan Royals to 130/9 in IPL final

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Titans’ highly-rated bowling attack, led by skipper Hardik Pandya himself, limited a formidable Rajasthan Royals batting unit to 130 for nine in the Indian Premier League final here on Sunday.

    Hardik (3/17) struck thrice in his four overs while Rashid Khan (1/18) delivered yet again on the big stage to put their team on course for a title in its debut season.

    Rajasthan did not have the best of starts after skipper Sanju Samson decided to put runs on the board in a big final.

    With more than a lakh supporting the home team, Gujarat bowlers were able to maintain the pressure on the opposition though Jos Buttler (39 of 35) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 16) tried their best to break free.

    Jaiswal, who looked tentative against the pace and swing of Mohammad Shami, took more chances compared to Buttler at the start of the innings.

    Among the shots Jaiswal attempted, his most assuring stroke was a beautifully timed six over cover off Shami.

    After pulling Yash Dayal for a massive six over long leg, the southpaw tried one too many and was caught in the deep.

    The extra bounce induced the mishit.

    Buttler, who began his innings with a crisp square cut, was joined by Samson (14 off 11) in the middle.

    Knowing both Rajasthan right-handers struggle against Rashid Khan, Hardik brought the star spinner into the attack in the powerplay itself.

    Both Buttler and Samson chose to play safe against Rashidh as Rajasthan reached 44 for one in the powerplay.

    The in-form Buttler decided to force the issue as he drove Lockie Ferguson over the cover fielder before cutting him for successive boundaries.

    The New Zealander was generating serious pace and went on to clock 157.3 kmph, the fastest ball of the tournament.

    Samson did not last long as his opposite number Hardik removed him on his second ball of the game.

    Hardik hit the hard length and Samson went for the pull shot only to be caught on the off-side, leaving Rajasthan at 60 for two in 8.2 overs.

    Rajasthan’s struggles worsened when Devdutt Padikkal (2), who took eight balls to get off the mark, and Buttler departed in a space of three balls.

    Rashid ended the painful stay of Padikkal before Hardik got the massive wicket of Buttler.

    The Englishman attempted to steer one to third man but ended up edging it back to the wicketkeeper.

    At the other end, new batter Shimron Hetmyer had to answer to the guile of Rashid, who was getting his googlies to rip.

    With Rajasthan going at run a ball after 14 overs, big hits were the need of the hour.

    However, Hardik made it 94 for five by having the dangerous Hetmyer caught and bowled.

    R Ashwin perished in the following over, ending all hopes of a Rajasthan fight back.

    PTI Shami ended the innings in style by castling Riyan Parag’s stumps with a perfectly placed yorker.

  • Hardik Pandya shines with ball as Gujarat Titans limit Rajasthan Royals to 130/9 in IPL final

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Titans’ highly-rated bowling attack, led by skipper Hardik Pandya himself, limited a formidable Rajasthan Royals batting unit to 130 for nine in the Indian Premier League final here on Sunday.

    Hardik (3/17) struck thrice in his four overs while Rashid Khan (1/18) delivered yet again on the big stage to put their team on course for a title in its debut season.

    Rajasthan did not have the best of starts after skipper Sanju Samson decided to put runs on the board in a big final.

    With more than a lakh supporting the home team, Gujarat bowlers were able to maintain the pressure on the opposition though Jos Buttler (39 of 35) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 16) tried their best to break free.

    Jaiswal, who looked tentative against the pace and swing of Mohammad Shami, took more chances compared to Buttler at the start of the innings.

    Among the shots Jaiswal attempted, his most assuring stroke was a beautifully timed six over cover off Shami.

    After pulling Yash Dayal for a massive six over long leg, the southpaw tried one too many and was caught in the deep.

    The extra bounce induced the mishit.

    Buttler, who began his innings with a crisp square cut, was joined by Samson (14 off 11) in the middle.

    Knowing both Rajasthan right-handers struggle against Rashid Khan, Hardik brought the star spinner into the attack in the powerplay itself.

    Both Buttler and Samson chose to play safe against Rashidh as Rajasthan reached 44 for one in the powerplay.

    The in-form Buttler decided to force the issue as he drove Lockie Ferguson over the cover fielder before cutting him for successive boundaries.

    The New Zealander was generating serious pace and went on to clock 157.3 kmph, the fastest ball of the tournament.

    Samson did not last long as his opposite number Hardik removed him on his second ball of the game.

    Hardik hit the hard length and Samson went for the pull shot only to be caught on the off-side, leaving Rajasthan at 60 for two in 8.2 overs.

    Rajasthan’s struggles worsened when Devdutt Padikkal (2), who took eight balls to get off the mark, and Buttler departed in a space of three balls.

    Rashid ended the painful stay of Padikkal before Hardik got the massive wicket of Buttler.

    The Englishman attempted to steer one to third man but ended up edging it back to the wicketkeeper.

    At the other end, new batter Shimron Hetmyer had to answer to the guile of Rashid, who was getting his googlies to rip.

    With Rajasthan going at run a ball after 14 overs, big hits were the need of the hour.

    However, Hardik made it 94 for five by having the dangerous Hetmyer caught and bowled.

    R Ashwin perished in the following over, ending all hopes of a Rajasthan fight back.

    PTI Shami ended the innings in style by castling Riyan Parag’s stumps with a perfectly placed yorker.

    AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Titans’ highly-rated bowling attack, led by skipper Hardik Pandya himself, limited a formidable Rajasthan Royals batting unit to 130 for nine in the Indian Premier League final here on Sunday.

    Hardik (3/17) struck thrice in his four overs while Rashid Khan (1/18) delivered yet again on the big stage to put their team on course for a title in its debut season.

    Rajasthan did not have the best of starts after skipper Sanju Samson decided to put runs on the board in a big final.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    With more than a lakh supporting the home team, Gujarat bowlers were able to maintain the pressure on the opposition though Jos Buttler (39 of 35) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 16) tried their best to break free.

    Jaiswal, who looked tentative against the pace and swing of Mohammad Shami, took more chances compared to Buttler at the start of the innings.

    Among the shots Jaiswal attempted, his most assuring stroke was a beautifully timed six over cover off Shami.

    After pulling Yash Dayal for a massive six over long leg, the southpaw tried one too many and was caught in the deep.

    The extra bounce induced the mishit.

    Buttler, who began his innings with a crisp square cut, was joined by Samson (14 off 11) in the middle.

    Knowing both Rajasthan right-handers struggle against Rashid Khan, Hardik brought the star spinner into the attack in the powerplay itself.

    Both Buttler and Samson chose to play safe against Rashidh as Rajasthan reached 44 for one in the powerplay.

    The in-form Buttler decided to force the issue as he drove Lockie Ferguson over the cover fielder before cutting him for successive boundaries.

    The New Zealander was generating serious pace and went on to clock 157.3 kmph, the fastest ball of the tournament.

    Samson did not last long as his opposite number Hardik removed him on his second ball of the game.

    Hardik hit the hard length and Samson went for the pull shot only to be caught on the off-side, leaving Rajasthan at 60 for two in 8.2 overs.

    Rajasthan’s struggles worsened when Devdutt Padikkal (2), who took eight balls to get off the mark, and Buttler departed in a space of three balls.

    Rashid ended the painful stay of Padikkal before Hardik got the massive wicket of Buttler.

    The Englishman attempted to steer one to third man but ended up edging it back to the wicketkeeper.

    At the other end, new batter Shimron Hetmyer had to answer to the guile of Rashid, who was getting his googlies to rip.

    With Rajasthan going at run a ball after 14 overs, big hits were the need of the hour.

    However, Hardik made it 94 for five by having the dangerous Hetmyer caught and bowled.

    R Ashwin perished in the following over, ending all hopes of a Rajasthan fight back.

    PTI Shami ended the innings in style by castling Riyan Parag’s stumps with a perfectly placed yorker.