Royals break 200 barrier

ROYAL ASSAULT

Going in against Punjab,Rajasthan had tried three different opening combinations in the tournament,but none had worked. But the Royals finally seemed to get their opening worries sorted on Tuesday,with Smith,who found his feet,and Naman Ojha,who replaced the out-of-form Swapnil Asnodkar at the top,getting them off to a flying start. Ojha hit Ramesh Powar for two sixes and a four in the very first over. The South African captain soon joined in and the duo dominated the Punjab bowlers,smashing their way to a 135-run stand off a mere 89 balls. Smith hit 12 fours and a six in his 44-ball 77 while the 25-year-old Ojha bludgeoned five sixes in his 51-ball 68 as the openers provided the perfect springboard.

UNCEREMONIOUS RETURN

The assault on Punjab bowlers continued with Ravindra Jadeja,who celebrated his call-up to the Indian squad with a 12-ball 33. Sreesanth,who made his much-awaited comeback to the Punjab team,started off well by conceding only 21 runs in his first three overs. But the Kerala paceman was smashed for 23 runs in his fourth as Rajasthan became the first team to cross the 200-mark in the tournament.

NIPPED IN THE BUD

Punjabs hopes of even getting close to their target of 212 took an early blow when Amit Singh got rid of both Sunny Sohal and Karan Goel in the first over. And things just got worse as Simon Katich,Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene soon followed,leaving Punjab 39-5 and staring at a mammoth defeat. Captain Yuvraj Singh,who started the day by winning the toss and electing to field,did win a few bragging rights as he smashed his counterpart Shane Warne for a couple of sixes. But his 37-ball 48 could only prevent his team from losing by the biggest margin in the tournament so far as Rajasthan climbed to the second spot in the table.

FORGET THEM NOT

amp;149;Amit Singh returned staggering figures of 3-9 from his four overs on his IPL debut.

amp;149;Piyush Chawla was once again Punjabs most impressive bowler and despite Rajasthans brutal assault,finished with respectable figures of 2-30 from his four overs.