Wednesday, 17 April 2019:
 | | STEVE SMITH of Australia plays a shot during game three of the One Day International series between Australia and England at SCG in Sydney, Australia. | |
|
Rajashtan Royals have slumped to yet another IPL defeat, dealing a huge blow their hopes of reaching the play-off stages after losing by 12 runs to Kings XI Punjab.
Steve Smith and Ben Stokes were rested for the game with Australian allrounder Ashton Turner named in the Royals side for the first time this season.
Jofra Archer, strongly tipped to be included in England's 15-man World Cup squad on Wednesday, starred with the ball for the Royals taking 3-15, including the big wicket of Chris Gayle for 30.
However, KL Rahul (52), David Miller (40) and Mayank Agarwal (26) helped Kings post a formidable total of 6-182.
The Royals started well with the bat, making up for the loss of Jos Buttler (23) by moving to 2-127 thanks to a half-century from Rahul Tripathi.
But Tripathi's departure for 50 led to a clatter of wickets with Turner out for a golden duck, Archer scoring just one and Shreyas Gopal then perishing first ball.
Stuart Binny clubbed 33 from 12 deliveries but it wasn't enough to get his side over the line as they slumped to a sixth loss of the season.
