Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson showered praise on Yuzvendra Chahal and Jos Buttler after the duo played a key role in the team’s seven-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Monday. Buttler continued his dream form as he scored his second hundred of the season to help RR post the highest score of the edition – 217.
Buttler timed the ball to perfection and launched his attack on the KKR bowlers from the get-go. Apart from Sunil Narine, no KKR bowler got any respect from the right-hander as he scored a fine knock of 103 runs off just 61 balls. The Englishman scored nine fours and five sixes in his blistering knock.
Buttler was just unstoppable and played at the top of his game. On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal was brilliant with the ball. KKR were going all guns blazing in the run-chase and Chahal was able to take a five-wicket haul and conceded 40 runs in his quota of four overs.
The leg-spinner triggered KKR’s downfall as he dismissed Nitish Rana. The veteran spinner also took a hat-trick after he dismissed Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Mavi, and Pat Cummins and became the fifth RR bowler to take a hat-trick and overall the 21st in the IPL.
Chahal also dismissed Venkatesh Iyer in the 17th over and took four wickets in that over, which was definitely a match-changing moment.
Consequently, Buttler strengthened his Orange Cap position as he has now amassed 375 runs in six matches at an average of 75 whereas Chahal is the Purple Cap holder with 17 scalps in six games.
“Chahal and Buttler’s performances were there for the world to see, ” said Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson in the Post-match presentation ceremony.
He added, “It got tensed. The quality of the players made it very interesting. Very happy for the win. There are some things that need to used at the right time. You need to be smart enough to slow it down. I respect KKR as a unit. We never thought we were in the game. I think I don’t need to talk much about individuals. We are lucky to have great players. Special mention to Ashwin for his delivery to Russell. And McCoy is an interesting guy. He doesn’t talk much but seems to be in control over his bowling skills.”
RR has got off to a decent start in the IPL as they have won four out of their six games. The inaugural champions will next take on Delhi Capitals at the MCA, Pune on Friday.
