Rahul Shukla rocked the rival top-order with three wickets in an over before Brad Hodge hit a blistering fifty as Rajasthan Royals snapped Otago Voltss 15-match winning streak with a four-wicket win on Tuesday. The hosts restricted the Kiwis to a modest 139 for seven following a fiery spell of fast bowling by Shukla and then overhauled the target with five balls to spare. Shukla,who was included in place of Vikramjeet Malik,was called on to bowl fourth over of the innings and he removed Hamish Rutherford (11) with his first ball,skipper McCullum (0) with third and Derrek de Boorder (0) on fifth. Otago innings was rescued by a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket between James Neesham (32) and Ryan ten Doeschate (26). Nathan McCullum (28) and Ian Butler (25) added runs too down the order. The Royals 12th victory consecutive at home ensured that they finished top on Group A with 16 points and will now play their semifinal at home. Their wins also keeps Mumbai Indians in hunt for the semifinals. Mumbai are third in the table with six points behind Volts (10). Mumbai now need to win tomorrows match against Perth Scorchers and also have a better net-run-rate. The hosts were struggling at 72 for four after a mid-innings collapse but Hodge smashed his way to an unbeaten 52 off 23 balls to script the win. Hodge hit three sixes and five fours,completing his half-century and teams win with a cover drive off Ian Butler. Opener Ajinkya Rahane hit a measured 52 off 48 balls to stabilise the innings. Hodge and Rahane formed a 44-run stand for fifth wicket to repair the damage. After Rahanes departure,the veteran Australian single handedly took the side to victory in an exciting finish. The hosts raced to 43 after batting powerplay overs as Rahane hit five elegant drives on the off side,playing comfortably against both pacers and spinners. Dravid (10) though struggled with his timing and his 17-ball stay finally ended when he was caught by Nathan off spinner Nick Beard. James Neesham (3/22) raised the hopes of Volts as Sanju Samson (5),Shane Watson (2) and Stuart Binny (1) fell in quick succession. But Rahane played brilliantly to help Royals get close to target before being Neesham. Instrumental role Earlier,generating good pace and bowling a good line,Shukla finished with three for 23 but was instrumental in restricting the visitors to a manageable total. For the hosts,apart from Shukla,Kevon Cooper (2/33) took two wickets while Pravin Tambe (1/17) and Shane Watson (1/24) scalped one batsman each. Otago Volts made a sedate start through Neil Broom (11) and Hashim Rutherford (5) who added 16 runs in three overs. Neesham (32) and ten Doeschate steadied the innings with a partnership of 53 runs off 47 balls for the fifth wicket. Left-handed Neesham,who had hit a brisk 25 ball 52 in his previous innings against Perth Scorchers,holed out to Watson at long on off Cooper. Nathan and Butler then added 39 quick runs for the side. Brief Score: Otago Volts 139 for 7 in 20 overs (Nathan McCullum 28 not out,James Neesham 32; Rahul Shukla 3/23); Rajasthan Royals 142 for 6 in 19.1 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 52,Brad Hodge not out 52,N Wagner 2/33,J Neesham 3/22) MI vs Perth,Live at 4pm; CSK vs T&T,live at 8pm
