Opener jaiswal

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Riyan Parag’s explosive hitting at the end, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 67-run contribution, helped the Rajasthan Royals reach a solid total of 205/4 in 20 overs against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.

Opener Jaiswal and skipper Sanju Samson built the foundation of the Rajasthan Royals innings. The left-handed batter took the attack to Proteas quick Marco Jansen and hit two consecutive sixes in the fourth over. With the duo rotating the strike well and finding the boundary rope at regular intervals, the Royals progressed at a solid run rate of 8.5 till the 10th over.

Just when it seemed they would take the fight to the Kings' bowlers, the reintroduction of Lockie Ferguson proved to be the correct decision as Samson threw his wicket, caught by Shreyas Iyer at mid-off. Jaiswal, on the other hand, raised his 10th IPL half-century and the first this season, reaching the milestone in 40 deliveries by smashing Yuzvendra Chahal for four and followed it with a huge six over mid-wicket.