ODDSTRACKER: In this week’s Oddstracker, we take a look at Rajasthan Royal’s memorable victory over Kings XI Punjab and how the odds flip-flopped throughout.
Oddstracker: Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab
Although the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League is only just into its second week, we’ve already been treated to some fantastic matches.
On the whole, the bat has dominated the ball and a perfect example of such was Sunday’s epic encounter between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab. The match from Sharjah is the topic of conversation in this week’s Oddstracker.
The Royals came into the game with a 100 per cent record having beaten the Chennai Super Kings in their opening match, and were fancied to make it two-from-two with BETDAQ’s punters, with Steve Smith’s side 1.8 for victory and Kings XI the marginal outsiders at 2.0.
However, it looked like the Royals’ unbeaten record was to end early after the Kings XI notched up an imposing total of 223/2, with captain KL Rahul making 69 and opener Mayank Agarwal a rapid 106 from just 50 deliveries.
The big score saw the Royals drift out to 3.75 at the half-way stage, with Punjab now just 1.29 and looking more than likely to notch up a second consecutive victory.
If Rajasthan were to be in with a chance, they needed their big guns to stand up, but they lost one early as Jos Buttler was out in the third over.
That wicket saw Sanju Samson walk out to the middle and alongside captain Smith, he got his side right up with the required run-rate.
The duo put on nearly 100 for the second wicket, and although Smith was out in the ninth over, the chase was very much on. The punters agreed with the Royals now 2.75 and Kings XI 1.44.
Rajasthan’s run-rate slowed through the middle overs, though, and with five overs remaining they needed an unlikely 84 runs from 30 balls.
This tricky equation saw the Royals out to 4.0, while Kings XI were now their shortest price of the match so far at 1.25.
Things looked bleak soon after as Samson, scoring at quicker than a-run-a-ball, was caught behind and his dismissal meant Rajasthan were now a sizable 17.0 for victory, with the Kings XI just 1.02.
With three overs remaining, they needed 51 off 18, which, in truth, looked virtually impossible.
However, that wasn’t the thinking of Rahul Tewatia, who in incredible fashion smashed 30 runs off the next Sheldon Cottrell over.
The game-changing over, which included four sixes in a row, saw the complexion of the match change completely and with the Royals now needing 21 runs from 12 deliveries, they were now the favourites at 1.67.
There was a brief panic when Robin Uthappa was dismissed in the next over, but two sixes in a row from Jofra Archer and a further maximum from Tewatia saw their side over the line to complete a famous run-chase.
