END OF OVER:20 | 19 Runs | RR: 196/3 | RR: 9.80
- Shimron Hetmyer13 (5b)
- Sanju Samson68 (38b)
- Umesh Yadav4-0-47-1
- Mohit Sharma4-0-51-1
9:25pm Wow, what a display of stroke-play that was from the Royals. Jaiswal threw his bat around at the start and got a few boundaries away. But it was not until Parag and Samson got together that RR began moving through the gears. They were severe on Noor, and that allowed them to be more conservative against Rashid.
Their 130-run partnership set the stage for what seems an above-par total at this moment, with Hetmyer also doing his bit at the end, ensuring that the Royals breached the 190-run barrier.
Apart from Rashid, none of the other GT bowlers hit their straps. Their execution and planning left a bit to be desired. Johnson was probably the only bowler who troubled the batters with his hard lengths, but that was about it. The fielders were also not at their best, and they put down three very presentable chances.
RR, at the break, will definitely be the happier of the two sides. But GT are usually a solid chasing side, despite what happened against LSG the other day. So, this game is not quite done yet. Join us in a bit for the second innings!
Rashid Khan: First few games, I was struggling with my line and length, and that was something I was missing. It is really hard coming back after four months. It is all good now and looking forward to the next games. I was bowling good balls but there was not that satisfaction (that I was bowling well). In the last two games, the last one and this, I feel I am back to 90-94%. Hopefully I can make it 100% in the rest of the game. It is a good wicket to bat on but the more you bowl into the wicket, it is harder to hit. We have seen at this ground, they chased 180-plus last time, and we have that positive mindset that we can chase this down.