2008 champions Rajasthan Royals' IPL IV dreams end after loss to Kochi
Brad Hodge's all-round performance saw Kochi Tuskers thump Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) here yesterday.
With this loss, Rajasthan Royals are out of contention for the play-offs. They have 11 points from 13 matches.
Kochi Tuskers have a slim chance of making the cut depending on how other top five teams perform. They are at sixth place with 12 points from 13 matches. Tuskers will take on Chennai Super Kings in their last match.
Shane Warne
Kochi Tuskers first bowled out Rajasthan Royals for 97 in 18.3 overs with Hodge taking four wickets. They then raced to the target in just 7.2 overs with the help of seven sixes. Hodge top scored with 33 off 17 balls, slamming two sixes.
Brendon McCullum (29) and Parthiv Patel (21) also scored at a quick pace. Rajasthan Royals, who made as many as six changes to the side, struggled with their batting. S Sreesanth took two wickets at the top and Rajasthan Royals were reduced to 26 for three.
Shane Watson hit some lusty blows, smashing three sixes in his 13-ball 20, but could not carry the momentum. Left-arm seamer Prasanth Parameswaran (2-20) bowled Watson in the 9th.
Watson and Ashok Menaria (31), who has been the most consistent batsman for Rajasthan Royals, put up 37 runs for the fourth wicket. But once the partnership was broken, the rest of the batting caved in.
Eventful IPL
It has been an eventful IPL for Warne, who is involved in a controversy with Rajasthan Cricket Association official Sanjay Dixit. He also received some heat from his franchise.
In another controversy, the spin legend also reacted sharply to Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar's reported comments on the Jaipur pitch when the two sides met recently. Warne's relationship with actress Liz Hurley too attractedu00a0 huge attention as did his decision to quit after the fourth edition of the IPL. Rajasthan can never thank him enough for his services and what he did for the players who played under him.
"Shane Keith Warne, you beauty! We will miss you on the field," they would all yell out. Rajasthan's game against Mumbai Indians on May 20 will be Warne's farewell
IPL tie.
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