Australia’s Hazlewood steers Bengaluru to win over Rajasthan
BENGALURU, India: Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood starred with 4-33 in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 11 run IPL win at home against Rajasthan Royals, who won the toss and chose to field first Thursday. Chasing 206 to win after Bengaluru’s 205-5, Rajasthan looked comfortable before Dhruv Jurel was dismissed by Hazlewood in the 19th over of the chase. Jurel scored a 34-ball 47 and was removed with 17 needed off 9 balls for the win. Hazlewood removed England’s Jofra Archer on the next ball, leaving Royals reeling with 17 needed off the final over. Earlier, Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli hit a 42-ball 70 to steer Bengaluru to a par score on a batting friendly Bengaluru wicket. Openers Kohli and Phil Salt raced to 59-0 in the powerplay before Salt was removed on 26 in the seventh over with the team on 61-1. Kohli then built an important 95 run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal before finally falling in the 16th over to Archer. Padikkal, who was batting very well, fell soon after a 27-ball 50, with Bengaluru on 161-3. Quick wickets toward the end took away the momentum before key cameos by Tim David (23) and Jitesh Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 20. Archer was Rajasthan’s standout bowler and finished with 33-1.