Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals, Indian Premier League 2020 Match 50: In Pics

Jofra Archer gave breakthrough to Rajasthan Royals as early as in the very first over. Mandeep Singh fell for a duck after he smashed the last ball of the over towards point, only to see Ben Stokes put in a full-length dive to catch it.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first against KL Rahul's Kings XI Punjab in the second clash between the two sides in the ongoing 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

 

Rajasthan Royals swept aside Kings XI Punjab by four wickets in the previous encounter between the two teams at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on September 27.

 

The two sides have locked horns in a total of 20 matches in the cash-rich league so far, with Rajasthan holding a 11-9 lead over KXIP.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

 

Rajasthan Royals have made just one change in their Playing XI for their clash against Kings XI Punjab. Varun Aaron has been roped in place of Ankit Rajpoot for the match.

 

Meanwhile, Ben Stokes, skipper Steven Smith, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer are the four overseas players for the clash. 

 

Notably, Rajasthan headed into this match on the back of their convincing eight-wicket triumph over the Mumbai Indians.(Image Courtesy: Twitter/@rajasthanroyals)

Kings XI Punjab headed into the clash against Rajasthan Royals with the same Playing XI that clinched an eight-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the previous match. 

 

Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell and Chris Jordan are the four overseas players in the KXIP Playing XI for the tie. (Image Credits: Twitter/@lionsdenkxip)

Skipper-cum-opener KL Rahul and first drop Chris Gayle remained unbeaten at the crease at their respective scores of 33 and 43 to help Kings XI Punjab reach 81 for one at the halfway mark against Rajasthan Royals. (Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Chris Gayle notched up his third half-century in five matches off 33 balls. He reached the mark with a maximum by hitting the third ball of the 11th over by Rahul Tewatia over wide long-on.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Ben Stokes celebrates with his Rajasthan Royals teammates after removing Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul for 46. Rahul fell short of a fifty after being caught by Rahul Tewatia at deep midwicket on the fourth delivery of 15th over by Stokes.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Chris Gayle smashed a quick-fire knock of 99 runs besides stitching a crucial stand of 120 runs for the second wicket to help Kings XI Punjab post a good total of 185 for four against Rajasthan Royals in their stipulated 20 overs. Gayle also completed 1000 sixes in T20 cricket en route to his 63-ball knock. (Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Soon after bringing up his half-century off 24 deliveries, Ben Stokes (50) was caught by Deepak Hooda at mid-off on the third ball of the sixth over by Chris Jordan.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson remained unbeaten at the crease at 23 and 28 runs, respectively to help Rajasthan Royals reach 103 for one at the halfway mark against Kings XI Punjab.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

 

Robin Uthappa departed for 23-ball 30 after being caught by Nicolas Pooran at deep midwicket on the fifth ball of 11th over by Murugan Ashwin.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

 

Sanju Samson (48) fell short of a half-century after getting run out following a direct hit by Mandeep Singh's substitute Suchith on the second delivery of 15th over by Ravi Bishnoi.(Pic Courtesy: Twitter/@IPL)

Chris Gayle's blistering knock of 99 runs went in vain as Rajasthan Royals clinched a comfortable seven-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab to keep their hopes of making it to the playoffs alive in the 2020 IPL in Abu Dhabi on Friday.(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)