News Analysis India

Tag: IPL

  • From being a nets bowler to making an impact for RCB, Akash Deep’s journey into the big league

    By IANS

    PUNE: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) pace bowler Akash Deep was so enamoured with the franchise since his childhood days that he always dreamt of playing for them during his growing years. And when the opportunity finally came his way, the 25-year-old knew that he had to gain as much experience as possible despite the limited exposure and make an impact.

    He started out as an intern, bowling at the RCB nets during IPL 2021. But cut to 2022, the young pacer has shown he has plenty in the kitty to hang around with the big boys on the big stage.

    Growing from strength to strength in the last four games of the 2022 season, Akash was instrumental in restricting Mumbai Indians to 151/6 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on April 9, helping his side win the crunch contest by seven wickets.

    Not only did he bowl one of the most economical spells on that day — Akash conceded just 20 runs in his four overs, which also included a maiden — but also took the prized wicket of Ishan Kishan when the MI opener looked well set on 26.

    Speaking about his experiences with the Bengaluru franchise, who bought him back during the Mega Auction this year, Akash said, “I have liked RCB since my childhood and ever since I’ve known cricket. I used to like RCB a lot because of Virat sir (Virat Kohli) and AB sir (AB de Villiers). I would never miss out on an RCB game even if I missed any other game. I would not watch any other team’s games, but I would watch this team’s right from my childhood. So, even joining up with this team for me was a big deal.”

    “During the first 2-3 months after joining up with RCB, I got to learn a lot. When I went back home from here, I realised that the confidence I had gained through this experience helped me a lot in domestic cricket,” he added.

    Playing for Bengal at the domestic level, Akash has superb first-class figures of 45 wickets in 11 matches, with an economy rate of 3.16.

    However, things didn’t go smoothly for the bowler during the 2021 season as he had to leave the RCB nets mid-season.

    “Whenever I come to this ground (Bandra Kurla Complex), it reminds me of the experience. When I was at practice, I got a call from home that my elder aunt was in quite a serious condition, as were my sister-in-law and my mother. They were at the hospital and my mother was home. I went back to the hotel and was hoping to hear that the situation had gotten better. I kept delaying going back for 4-5 days.

    “But after five days, I got the news that my elder aunt had passed away, and then my sister-in-law did too. My mother was in quite a critical condition too. I felt that I had to go back because family is very important, and the situation was also very tough,” said the Bengal pacer.

    “After going home, I took care of my mother’s medicines, getting her injections. The hospital at our place did not have anything — there were no doctors, no medicines. But, going back helped because even the RCB management had spoken to the people back home, to help arrange for oxygen cylinders; I administered the injections myself. Thankfully, my mother is alright now,” he told RCB Bold Diaries.

    Things took a positive turn for Akash, who was drafted into the squad for the second half of the 2021 season in place of the injured Washington Sundar. There has been no looking back since then as he was bought back by RCB in the 2022 auction, and has played every game of the IPL 2022 season thus far.

  • Everyone in CSK backing Jadeja despite string of losses, insists batting coach Michael Hussey

    By IANS

    MUMBAI: Former Australian cricketer and the current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has indicated that every member of the four-time IPL champions was behind new captain Ravindra Jadeja despite the string of early losses, adding that the team was looking at a couple of wins, which would help the all-rounder “feel more relaxed as captain”.

    The IPL 2021 champions have lost all their four matches in the current edition of the tournament and are placed 10th and last on the points table, with critics attributing the poor run to a change in captaincy.

    Hussey conceded that making Jadeja skipper was a huge change and everyone was supporting him as he tries to emerge a strong leader of the side.

    “Yeah, it (making Jadeja skipper) is a big change. Obviously, MS Dhoni was the captain for such a long period of time and he has done an amazing job. But the great thing is that he is still here to help Jadeja along the way in his first year as captain. So, I know that Jadeja and MSD are talking almost every day about captaincy, about tactics and how leadership works along with Stephen Fleming the coach, and to try and make the transition as smooth as possible.

    “Everyone respects Jadeja very highly and we are coming to terms with a new captain and how Jadeja likes to go about it. But, so far so good, he is doing a very good job, and I am just hoping we can get a few wins on the board very soon to help Jadeja feel more relaxed as captain. Everyone is supporting Jadeja and we are hoping for some victories very soon,” added Hussey.

    Given the team’s current scenario, Hussey felt the best way to tackle the tough situations as a batter was to just concentrate on the ball while not worrying about anything else, and also “work with your partner at the other end”.

    “The important thing is I guess is to work with your partner at the other end. There is two versus eleven out there, two in the middle batting against eleven people and you try and win the contest. It is one ball versus one bat. And, you try to win one ball at a time. So, if you start worrying about what the pitch is doing, or what the score is, or worrying about getting out, then you are concentrating on the wrong things. All you need to do is, try and concentrate on that ball coming down, and see every single ball as a contest, and you try and win that contest and move on to the next contest and it is amazing if you can keep winning those little contests and breaking it down into small parts, you can slowly start getting on top,” opined Hussey.

    “But I still think it is important to work with your partner at the other end. Keep talking positively to each other, keep running hard between the wickets; keep doing the basic things very well and that is how you try and win those little tough pressure contests.”

  • Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul calls Marcus Stoinis player with ‘destructive batting’

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: After facing a close defeat against Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul praised his fellow teammate and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and called him a player with ‘destructive batting’.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “Throughout the 20 overs, we kept believing that we could win this game. Like I earlier said that we have depth in our batting and today Stoinis batted at number 7. You know that you have someone over there, with so much power and destructive batting, and that’s the reason he is one of our retained players. He can win us games from any position but unfortunately, we couldn’t get that start and credits to Rajasthan as they kept the pressure on,” said KL Rahul in a post-match presentation.

    The skipper further said the team accordingly choose between K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, and Krunal Pandya, as per the requirement.

    “Today there was some grip for the spinners and one of the reasons why we played K Gowtham in the last couple of games is because we have played against oppositions that have left-handers batting throughout till their top six and seven, so we went with him and he did well for us,” said the skipper.

    “Whenever there is grip in the pitch then between Gowtham, Bishnoi, and Krunal, we have to choose according to our strategy, as and when required,” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul calls Marcus Stoinis player with ‘destructive batting’

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: After facing a close defeat against Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul praised his fellow teammate and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and called him a player with ‘destructive batting’.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “Throughout the 20 overs, we kept believing that we could win this game. Like I earlier said that we have depth in our batting and today Stoinis batted at number 7. You know that you have someone over there, with so much power and destructive batting, and that’s the reason he is one of our retained players. He can win us games from any position but unfortunately, we couldn’t get that start and credits to Rajasthan as they kept the pressure on,” said KL Rahul in a post-match presentation.

    The skipper further said the team accordingly choose between K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, and Krunal Pandya, as per the requirement.

    “Today there was some grip for the spinners and one of the reasons why we played K Gowtham in the last couple of games is because we have played against oppositions that have left-handers batting throughout till their top six and seven, so we went with him and he did well for us,” said the skipper.

    “Whenever there is grip in the pitch then between Gowtham, Bishnoi, and Krunal, we have to choose according to our strategy, as and when required,” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

    MUMBAI: After facing a close defeat against Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul praised his fellow teammate and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and called him a player with ‘destructive batting’.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “Throughout the 20 overs, we kept believing that we could win this game. Like I earlier said that we have depth in our batting and today Stoinis batted at number 7. You know that you have someone over there, with so much power and destructive batting, and that’s the reason he is one of our retained players. He can win us games from any position but unfortunately, we couldn’t get that start and credits to Rajasthan as they kept the pressure on,” said KL Rahul in a post-match presentation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The skipper further said the team accordingly choose between K Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, and Krunal Pandya, as per the requirement.

    “Today there was some grip for the spinners and one of the reasons why we played K Gowtham in the last couple of games is because we have played against oppositions that have left-handers batting throughout till their top six and seven, so we went with him and he did well for us,” said the skipper.

    “Whenever there is grip in the pitch then between Gowtham, Bishnoi, and Krunal, we have to choose according to our strategy, as and when required,” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Never expected to get Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashwin in auctions: Rajasthan Royals’ Kumar Sangakkara

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Kumar Sangakkara praised spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and said that the franchise never expected to get them in the auctions.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “I think they are the best two spinners going around by far. They bowl extremely well together, they bowl well individually. Both of them are aware of their skills and strengths. We never expected to get both of them in the auctions, let alone one. But we were lucky and fortunate to have them and all we are trying to do is support them to get better. They just go out there and lead our attack and have been excellent,” said Sangakkara in a post-match press conference.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    “I had no conversation with Kuldeep regarding the last over. I think Sanju, Jos, and other players around supported him. We had pretty simple plans of bowling in the death. I just want to say how he impressed everyone and especially me. The way he handled his first game and bowled at the right lengths in the hardest over,” said Sangakkara.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Never expected to get Yuzvendra Chahal, Ashwin in auctions: Rajasthan Royals’ Kumar Sangakkara

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Kumar Sangakkara praised spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and said that the franchise never expected to get them in the auctions.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “I think they are the best two spinners going around by far. They bowl extremely well together, they bowl well individually. Both of them are aware of their skills and strengths. We never expected to get both of them in the auctions, let alone one. But we were lucky and fortunate to have them and all we are trying to do is support them to get better. They just go out there and lead our attack and have been excellent,” said Sangakkara in a post-match press conference.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    “I had no conversation with Kuldeep regarding the last over. I think Sanju, Jos, and other players around supported him. We had pretty simple plans of bowling in the death. I just want to say how he impressed everyone and especially me. The way he handled his first game and bowled at the right lengths in the hardest over,” said Sangakkara.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach, Kumar Sangakkara praised spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin and said that the franchise never expected to get them in the auctions.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “I think they are the best two spinners going around by far. They bowl extremely well together, they bowl well individually. Both of them are aware of their skills and strengths. We never expected to get both of them in the auctions, let alone one. But we were lucky and fortunate to have them and all we are trying to do is support them to get better. They just go out there and lead our attack and have been excellent,” said Sangakkara in a post-match press conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    “I had no conversation with Kuldeep regarding the last over. I think Sanju, Jos, and other players around supported him. We had pretty simple plans of bowling in the death. I just want to say how he impressed everyone and especially me. The way he handled his first game and bowled at the right lengths in the hardest over,” said Sangakkara.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Shreyas Iyer praises Delhi Capitals’ Prithvi Shaw for his knock against KKR

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: After facing a defeat against Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer praised his rival batter Prithvi Shaw and called him a player who can the change the game in the powerplay.

    Delhi Capitals registered a comprehensive 44 run win against Kolkata Knight Riders here at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.

    “Prithvi Shaw is a type of batsman who can change the game in the powerplay. I’ve played with him before, obviously. He hits the good shots and even as a captain, I can’t figure out how to set the field for him,” Shreyas said in the post-match press conference.

    “Prithvi is someone who doesn’t go really big against spinners. Since he got a really good start, I tried to restrict the momentum that they got. I thought Varun and Sunil are really experienced bowlers, and they could have restricted at that point of time and give us a good hold,” he added.

    The skipper further said that his side need to focus on their batting, in order to win in games with such high targets.

    “Absolutely not worried about the starts we’re getting. But when you’re chasing 214-215 you need to get off to a really good start. And, you know, you can’t think twice about what the bowler is going to bowl because you have to have that attacking mindset right from ball one and one mistake can get you out as a batsman,” said Shreyas.

    “I wouldn’t blame anyone in this particular chase. But, yes, we have this history in the last few games that we didn’t get really good starts and obviously that is also something we need to work on. And this is just the early stage of the tournament. So, you know, once we start practising more, start executing stuff really well on the field, I think, things will be really taken care of pretty well,” he added.

    Delhi Capitals not only excelled with the bat but they also were brilliant with the ball and the standout performer was chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who bagged four wickets and also for the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

    Rishabh Pant led Delhi registered their second win of the season and now they have two wins from four matches.

  • Shreyas Iyer praises Delhi Capitals’ Prithvi Shaw for his knock against KKR

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: After facing a defeat against Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer praised his rival batter Prithvi Shaw and called him a player who can the change the game in the powerplay.

    Delhi Capitals registered a comprehensive 44 run win against Kolkata Knight Riders here at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.

    “Prithvi Shaw is a type of batsman who can change the game in the powerplay. I’ve played with him before, obviously. He hits the good shots and even as a captain, I can’t figure out how to set the field for him,” Shreyas said in the post-match press conference.

    “Prithvi is someone who doesn’t go really big against spinners. Since he got a really good start, I tried to restrict the momentum that they got. I thought Varun and Sunil are really experienced bowlers, and they could have restricted at that point of time and give us a good hold,” he added.

    The skipper further said that his side need to focus on their batting, in order to win in games with such high targets.

    “Absolutely not worried about the starts we’re getting. But when you’re chasing 214-215 you need to get off to a really good start. And, you know, you can’t think twice about what the bowler is going to bowl because you have to have that attacking mindset right from ball one and one mistake can get you out as a batsman,” said Shreyas.

    “I wouldn’t blame anyone in this particular chase. But, yes, we have this history in the last few games that we didn’t get really good starts and obviously that is also something we need to work on. And this is just the early stage of the tournament. So, you know, once we start practising more, start executing stuff really well on the field, I think, things will be really taken care of pretty well,” he added.

    Delhi Capitals not only excelled with the bat but they also were brilliant with the ball and the standout performer was chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who bagged four wickets and also for the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

    Rishabh Pant led Delhi registered their second win of the season and now they have two wins from four matches.

    MUMBAI: After facing a defeat against Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Shreyas Iyer praised his rival batter Prithvi Shaw and called him a player who can the change the game in the powerplay.

    Delhi Capitals registered a comprehensive 44 run win against Kolkata Knight Riders here at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.

    “Prithvi Shaw is a type of batsman who can change the game in the powerplay. I’ve played with him before, obviously. He hits the good shots and even as a captain, I can’t figure out how to set the field for him,” Shreyas said in the post-match press conference.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Prithvi is someone who doesn’t go really big against spinners. Since he got a really good start, I tried to restrict the momentum that they got. I thought Varun and Sunil are really experienced bowlers, and they could have restricted at that point of time and give us a good hold,” he added.

    The skipper further said that his side need to focus on their batting, in order to win in games with such high targets.

    “Absolutely not worried about the starts we’re getting. But when you’re chasing 214-215 you need to get off to a really good start. And, you know, you can’t think twice about what the bowler is going to bowl because you have to have that attacking mindset right from ball one and one mistake can get you out as a batsman,” said Shreyas.

    “I wouldn’t blame anyone in this particular chase. But, yes, we have this history in the last few games that we didn’t get really good starts and obviously that is also something we need to work on. And this is just the early stage of the tournament. So, you know, once we start practising more, start executing stuff really well on the field, I think, things will be really taken care of pretty well,” he added.

    Delhi Capitals not only excelled with the bat but they also were brilliant with the ball and the standout performer was chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who bagged four wickets and also for the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

    Rishabh Pant led Delhi registered their second win of the season and now they have two wins from four matches.

  • Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praises Kuldeep Sen for his spell against LSG

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praised his fellow teammate Kuldeep Sen for defending 15 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “My role with the new ball is to take as many wickets as possible. It’s a pretty simple game for me at the top and get it to swing. The humidity and the overheads assisted it. Limited English from Kuldeep, he runs in hard though,” said Boult in a post-match presentation.

    “He executed it well in the end and he is only going to get better. Some quality fast bowling in our side and in the tournament going around. I’ll probably watch my batting before my bowling (laughs),” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

  • Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praises Kuldeep Sen for his spell against LSG

    By ANI

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praised his fellow teammate Kuldeep Sen for defending 15 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “My role with the new ball is to take as many wickets as possible. It’s a pretty simple game for me at the top and get it to swing. The humidity and the overheads assisted it. Limited English from Kuldeep, he runs in hard though,” said Boult in a post-match presentation.

    “He executed it well in the end and he is only going to get better. Some quality fast bowling in our side and in the tournament going around. I’ll probably watch my batting before my bowling (laughs),” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.

    MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult praised his fellow teammate Kuldeep Sen for defending 15 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants.

    Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 and a four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal helped Rajasthan Royals beat Lucknow Super Giants by three runs here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    “My role with the new ball is to take as many wickets as possible. It’s a pretty simple game for me at the top and get it to swing. The humidity and the overheads assisted it. Limited English from Kuldeep, he runs in hard though,” said Boult in a post-match presentation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “He executed it well in the end and he is only going to get better. Some quality fast bowling in our side and in the tournament going around. I’ll probably watch my batting before my bowling (laughs),” he added.

    In the last over, Sanju Samson led Rajasthan needed to defend 15 runs and youngster Kuldeep Sen held his nerves against big-hitting Marcus Stoinis to take the team to the third win in four matches and go to the top of the points table.

    Defending a 166-run target the inaugural champions needed some early wickets upfront and Trent Boult did exactly that by giving a double blow to Lucknow dismissing their skipper KL Rahul and Krishnappa Gowtham for golden ducks.

    Rajasthan Royals were at one stage struggling at 67 for 4 but Shimron Hetmyer’s unbeaten 59 helped them register 165/6 in 20 overs.