The batting pair of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul gave an early momentum to their team after lethal speedster Jofra Archer removed opener Mandeep for a duck. Gayle (63-ball 99) and Rahul (41-ball 46) came up with a counter-attack after Jofra's early strike and added a solid 121-run partnership for the second wicket in quick time to help Kings XI Punjab make 185/4 against Rajasthan Royals in their allotted 20 overs on Friday at the Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.


Kings XI Punjab, captained by KL Rahul, has played 12 matches so far with 6 wins and 6 defeats to finish fourth in IPL 2020 Points Table with 12 points. At the same time, Rajasthan Royals have won 5 out of 12 matches, faced defeat in 7 games and are in seventh place with 10 points. Both teams have high hopes of reaching the IPL 13 play-offs.


Steve Smith won the toss and Rajasthan Royals opted to bowl first against Kings XI Punjab in a must-win clash. KXIP opener Mandeep Singh got a cracking first-ball delivery from RR's strike bowler Jofra Archer and he failed to fend it properly. Archer got his reward for a remarkable short-pitched delivery as Mandeep fell for zero, courtesy Stokes flying in the air to grab a stunner.


ALSO READ | IPL 2020 Playoff Scenario: MI Secure Spot, RCB, DC Front-Runners; KXIP, SRH, RR Still In Contention


'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle came in early to join skipper KL Rahul in just the second over to ensure KXIP does not play too many dot balls inside the powerplay. After getting smashed for runs in his first over, fast bowler Varus Aaron got Gayle to pull twice with 2 well-directed bouncers but the fielders spilled the big man's catch twice.


Gayle and Rahul looked solid and attained 39 runs in the last 3 overs of the powerplay to help Punjab reach 53-1 at the end the powerplay. Meanwhile, Gayle notched up his third fifty of IPL 2020 with a trademark six. RR desperately needed a breakthrough now and it was their star all-rounder Ben Stokes who departed KXIP skipper KL Rahul (46 in 41 balls) to break the 120-run partnership and pull things back in Rajasthan's favour.


ALSO READ | IPL 13: Dhoni's Evergreen Aura Seems Endless As KKR Spinner Varun Chakravarthy Takes Invaluable Tips From 'Captain Cool'


After Rahul's departure, Nicholas Pooran joined Gayle and straightaway smashed a brace of sixes to get his innings underway. Stokes cleaned up dangerous Pooran for a 10-ball 22 with Tewatia clinging on to a well-judged catch near the boundary rope.


Gayle then upped the ante when Glenn Maxwell joined him in the middle, getting to 99 and helping his team reach a respectable total. A win here for KXIP would all but confirm their passage into the playoffs.

Brief scores: KXIP 185/4 wkts in 20 overs (Chris Gayle 99, KL Rahul 46; Jofra Archer 2/26)

Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w/c), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh


Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson(w), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi