JAIPUR, India, (Reuters) – New Zealand’s Ross Taylor hit an unbeaten 47 off 35 balls to guide Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling six wicket victory over Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday.
Chasing 144 for victory, the Shane Warne-led side were reduced to 92 for four in the 15th over and needed a 52-run unbroken stand for the fifth wicket between Taylor and Ajinkya Rahane (15) to reach the target with three balls to spare.
Taylor, dropped on 31 by compatriot Nathan McCullum, hit four boundaries and two sixes after leg-spinner Rahul Sharma pegged Rajasthan back with three wickets for just 13 runs, which included a maiden over.
With their fifth win in nine matches, the Rajasthan outfit reached the top of the IPL table while debutants Pune lost their sixth match on the trot and were rooted at the bottom.
In yesterday’s other match in Chennai, Suresh Raina set up a 19-run win for champions Chennai Super Kings with a 35-ball 59.
Raina hit six boundaries and two sixes and with support from Mike Hussey (41-ball 46) and Albie Morkel (19 off six balls) powered the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side to 165 for five.
Deccan Chargers, led by Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara, got off to a flying start through an unorthodox 30-ball 56 from opener Sunny Sohal.
But the Chargers lost their way after Sohal, who hit six boundaries and four sixes, was bowled while trying a reverse sweep and the team finally managed 146 for eight wickets from their 20 overs.
