Rajasthan Kings Reach Legend 90 League Finals with Six-Wicket Victory against Delhi Royals
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Synopsis
On February 16, Rajasthan Kings secured their place in the Legend 90 League finals by defeating Delhi Royals by six wickets. Phil Mustard and Rajat Singh were instrumental, scoring 53 and 56 runs respectively, leading their team to a thrilling victory.
Key Takeaways
- Rajasthan Kings advanced to the finals.
- Phil Mustard scored 53 runs off 34 balls.
- Rajat Singh contributed 56 runs off 28 balls.
- Delhi Royals set a target of 168 runs.
- Final match against Chhattisgarh Warriors on Monday.
Raipur, Feb 16 (NationPress) Rajasthan Kings have clinched their spot in the grand finale of the Legend 90 League with a commanding six-wicket triumph over Delhi Royals in Qualifier 2, held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The Kings' chase was anchored by Phil Mustard, who scored an unbeaten 53 off 34 balls, alongside Rajat Singh's explosive 56 off just 28 deliveries, successfully chasing down the target in a nail-biting finish.
In the final showdown, Rajasthan Kings will face off against Chhattisgarh Warriors on Monday.
In the match, Delhi Royals began their innings with a bang, as Lendl Simmons and Sharad Lumba lit up the field. Lumba was particularly aggressive, smashing 60 runs from just 24 balls, which included nine boundaries and three sixes. The opening duo forged a 90-run partnership that put the Royals in a strong position right from the start.
However, the Kings mounted a fierce comeback, applying pressure during the middle overs. Simmons kept the momentum alive with a score of 63 from 34 balls, but his innings ended abruptly when a rising delivery from Sudeep Tyagi struck his helmet, forcing him to leave the field injured. This pivotal moment allowed the Rajasthan Kings to seize control of the match.
Despite the loss of Simmons, Delhi captain Bipul Sharma delivered a late surge, hitting three sixes in the final over, propelling the Royals to a respectable total of 167/5 in 15 overs.
Chasing a target of 168, Rajasthan Kings started steadily, with Mustard and Asad Pathan putting together a partnership of 45 runs for the opening wicket. The Royals retaliated quickly, dismissing Pathan, Gaurav Tomar, and captain Faiz Fazal in rapid succession, leaving Rajasthan at 74/3.
Under pressure, Rajat Singh rose to the occasion, joining Mustard at the crease. Singh showcased an aggressive approach, scoring 56 runs off 28 balls, putting the Royals' bowlers under significant strain.
Even after Singh's run-out in the penultimate over, the Kings required 15 runs from the last eight balls. Mustard took command during the critical moment, hitting two consecutive sixes to reach his half-century, bringing Rajasthan closer to victory. With only three runs needed in the final over, the Kings confidently completed the chase, winning by six wickets.
This victory ensures that the Rajasthan Kings will compete in the Legend 90 League final against the Chhattisgarh Warriors on Monday. The eagerly awaited finale will not only crown the champion but will also feature a closing ceremony with a performance by Bollywood star Tamannaah Bhatia before the match.
