Sangakarra won the toss and would have been delighted to have the first go on a perfect pitch for batting and he and Dhawan gave their side the platform for a big total. They barely had to take any chances, instead feeding on some loose bowling from the Royals at the top, as proper cricket shots and timing had the score at 94 in the 11th over when the first wicket fell. Sangakarra promoted himself to the open the innings with another experienced player in the form of Dhawan, to find some stability in their batting and today it worked a treat. Rajasthan's bowling line-up is a short of a strike bowler and Deccan used it to their advantage, milking the medium pacers and spinners that are far better suited to defending a score in the 2nd innings. Sangakarra (44 from 32) fell just short of a 50 attempting a slog sweep from Hodge and Dhawan went a few overs later for a composed 52 from 43. Rajasthan came back in to a bit in these middle overs, and looking back this period was crucial as Deccan will know they could have gone harder here and got themselves over the 200 mark, especially as they finished with 8 wickets in hand. Christian came in at 3 and saw it through to the end, alongside 2012 debutant JP Duminy who produced a masterclass in finishing. He played himself in cautiously before launching a late strike to finish, the last 5 overs going for a colossal 77, with an unbeaten 58 from just 26 and the majority of his 6s went back over the bowler and long on. I'm sure Rajasthan would love to have Tait in their side but a look at their current 4 overseas players shows how tough it is, as they all provide great balance. Hogg bowled really nicely today and will be confused as to how he came away with 0-33, otherwise their bowlers will be disappointed with their work but were always in trouble on a pitch that offered little to bowlers all game. 196/2 was a massive score and one that Deccan should have comfortably defended, not to be.
If Rajasthan were to win this game they would need a good start from Dravid and Rahane and they more than kept their side in it with impressive shot-making. Dravid enjoyed the true bounce, playing one stunning lofted drive over cover for a maximum, as well as a number of uncharacteristic swipes through the off side, adapting to his new career as a 20/20 specialist! Rahane took the back seat role but continued to accumulate in an opening stand of 62, to find themselves 62/1 at the end of the powerplay and in with a shout. Rahane then played his role to perfection alongside Menaria, who was struggling to get going, as he took calculated risks, such as lofting over the unprotected off-side, to keep the required rate in check. Menaria fell to a tame poke to short mid-wicket just when he looked to be settling in, with 22 runs to his name and a couple of big hits into the stands. Rajasthan had their two form men at the crease in Shah and Rahane (44 from 32) but a good spell from Mishra (4-0-32-3) sent back them both back as they holed out to boundary riders at a crucial period that looked to have put DC well in control. Hodge and Botha needed 55 from the last 4 overs, and with no other recognised batsman to come, it looked to be beyond them.
The turning point came in the 17th over, with Hodge using proper cricket shots to hammer Steyn for 4 consecutive boundaries, but even then the equation was still in DC's favour. Some of the poor fielding was a sign of nerves, most in that Deccan line-up would have been thinking back to that match that they threw away at the end against Mumbai and both Steyn and Chipli dropped simple catches as well as plenty of mis-fields that cost valuable runs. A few more boundaries in the 18th and 19th overs meant that both sides were neck and neck going into the last over, needing 11 from it with Steyn to come steaming in. Good running saw Hodge pick up 2 from the first ball and a single from the 2nd had debutant Yagnik on strike and he came up with a couple of sublime strokes through the off side to see his side home with 2 balls to spare to spark jubilant celebrations from the RR dug-out. They would have known that Deccan were always in control but the difference in confidence between the two camps would have made a big difference, DC yet to pick up their first win of the tournament. Steyn had a rare off day, 3.4-0-44-0 and this cost his side dear as they rely on him heavily to produce the goods. A nerveless performance from Brad Hodge (48* from 21, 6 fours, 2 sixes) got the Royals over the line as he hit boundaries whenever it was needed. RR seem to come up with a match winner whenever necessary, whether Rahane, Shah, Hodge or Cooper, and this indicates a positive dressing room that all want to play for each other.
Sangakarra will barely be able to fathom how his side are yet to pick up a win, having blown the match twice in succession from commanding positions, their batting had given their bowlers plenty to play with. Rajasthan were rightly delighted with yet another win to go top of the standings after a brilliant chase of a mammoth total, but will know they were fortunate tonight against a side low on confidence.
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