Jaiswal masters tough conditions with fluent 75 as Royals post 173/4 against RCB
Jaipur, Apr 13 (PTI): Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal appeared to be batting on a different surface as he hit a sublime 47-ball 75 to power Rajasthan Royals to 173/4 in challenging conditions against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL clash here on Sunday.
On a tacky Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch where the ball stayed low and lacked pace, Jaiswal's strokeplay stood out after RCB won a good toss.
The 23-year-old struck 10 fours and two sixes, handling the testing conditions with remarkable poise even as the others around him struggled to get going.
After Jaiswal's departure, Dhruv Jurel got a reprieve from Virat Kohli and played the finisher's role with aplomb, striking a 23-ball 35 not out with two fours and two sixes as RR managed 59 runs in the last five overs.
After negotiating a disciplined opening spell from RCB's pace attack, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, and Yash Dayal, Jaiswal teed off in the fifth over, hitting a six and a four off Yash Dayal.
He reached his second fifty of the season in 35 balls and ensured Royals maintained momentum through the middle overs.
Unlike his skipper Sanju Samson, who looked scratchy during his 13 off 16 balls, Jaiswal played with clarity and composure.
Samson, bogged down by seven dot balls and tight bowling, survived a run-out chance on 3 but was eventually stumped by Jitesh Sharma after misjudging a low delivery from Krunal Pandya, who bowled well.
Jaiswal, however, looked in complete control. He pierced the field with finesse, employing reverse sweeps and lap shots.
His strong back-foot game also came into play, as he cut and pulled effectively.
He found solid support from Riyan Parag, who looked fluent during his 30-run knock that included a six and three fours.
The duo added 56 runs for the second wicket off just 39 balls.
Parag, however, couldn't capitalise on a life he received on 13, when Dayal dropped a straightforward catch at point off Suyash Sharma's bowling.
He eventually fell in the 14th over to Dayal's well-guised slower back-of-the-hand delivery, mistiming it to Kohli at short cover.
Jaiswal continued to innovate, scooping Hazlewood for a six over fine leg. He followed it up with a thick edge through third man for four, but Hazlewood had the last word. In the same over, Jaiswal missed a sweep across the line to a full delivery and was trapped plumb in front.
RCB's fielding woes continued with Kohli dropping a routine catch of Jurel on 11.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
