CLT20: Pravin Tambe bowls Rajasthan Royals to a resounding victory

Brad Hodge was at his lethal best as a finisher

Rajasthan Royals, powered by solid cameos from Stuart Binny, Brad Hodge and a four-wicket haul from Pravin Tambe, registered their second consecutive victory in the Champions League T20 campaign by defeating Highveld Lions at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

Earlier in the evening, the IPL outfit lost Ajinkya Rahane, whose off-drive was brilliantly caught at mid-off by Hardus Viljoen, and Sanju Samson, nicking an attempted cut shot to the keeper, early into the innings. Rahul Dravid(31) and Shane Watson(33) failed to convert their starts to leave Rajasthan in a spot of bother, with the score at 110/4 and 6.2 more overs remaining.

Watson, having blasted 17 off the 22 runs conceded by Aaron Phangiso in the 13th over, was threatening to take the game away from the Lions before being foxed by Lonwabo Tsotsobe, to become his second victim.

However, Stuart Binny and Brad Hodge, after being the cornerstones of RR’s impressive run in the IPL 6, showcased their deadly finishing skills yet another time to take their team to an imposing total of 183 in the 20 overs.

Binny reserved his special treatment for Phangiso, who gave away 52 runs in his 4 overs while Hodge spoiled Sohail Tanvir’s figures by taking him for 20 runs of the last five deliveries of the innings.

In reply, Lions lost three quick wickets including that of openers Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen.

With the score at 36/3 at the end of 5 overs, Alviro Petersen and Viljoen attempted a recovery, one which they managed to pull it off by scoring 53 runs of the next 6.3 overs. But the introduction of Pravin Tambe derailed the chase.

The 42-year-old leg spinner’s variations proved to be too good for the South African batsmen. Tambe’s four wickets reduced Lions from 89 for 3 in 11.2 overs to 120 for 7 in 15.1 overs.

A position from which a victory looked a far-fetched option. Pietersen top scored with a 28-ball 40 as Lions could only manage 153 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their 20 overs, falling short by 30 runs.