IPL 2019: Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals beat Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore
Facing off for the first time in nearly two years, Steve Smith came out on top in his running battle with Virat Kohli as Rajasthan trumped Bangalore in the IPL.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Steve Smith has helped Rajasthan Royals to their first win of the IPL season as his side beat Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets.
In their first meeting in a year and a half, the Australian finished on the winning side and outscored his Indian rival, who made a pedestrian 23 off 25 opening the batting.
Smith scored a steady 38 from 31 balls but was unable to see his side over the line after being dismissed in the penultimate over when he was caught at long on by Umesh Yadav trying to hit Mohammed Siraj for the six runs needed to win the game.
Stream every game of the 2019 Indian Premier League on KAYO SPORTS. Stream on your TV or favourite device in HD. Get your 14 day free trial >
READ MORE
Ashes hopeful, fiery speed demon: Shield’s brightest emerging stars
‘He’s like Hussey’: ex-teammate hails changed Bancroft
Seven for eight in three overs: Epic IPL choke
The former Test skipper looked furious as he departed the field, but can take solace from chalking up his highest score of the competition so far as he continues his comeback to top level cricket after a 12-month ban.
Rahul Tripathi sealed the victory by clearing the rope with a ball to spare after England’s Jos Buttler had laid the foundations with an impressive 59 that included eight fours and a six from 43 deliveries.
Shreyas Gopal was the hero with the ball for Rajasthan, taking 3-12 from his four overs, including the vital wickets of Kohli (23) and AB de Villiers (13).
A fighting 67 from the experienced Parthiv Patel helped Bangalore to a competitive total but it looked at least 15 runs short of a winning score.
Originally published as IPL 2019: Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals beat Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore
Smith makes final call on opening experiment
After a brief stint as a Test opener, Steve Smith has decided where he wants to bat in the blockbuster five-match series against India.
Cummins back, big chance for batting prodigy
Two players absent on daddy duties has opened the ODI door for a batting dynamo as the Australian skipper returns for the first time in a year.