Hetmyer, Chahal star in Rajasthan win

MUMBAI: Lucknow’s chase of 166 got off to a disastrous start with both KL Rahul and K Gowtham perishing to Trent Boult in the first over. Legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the star of the show with the ball taking four for 41.

Earlier, Star West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer smashed an unbeaten fifty as Rajasthan Royals recovered from a mid-innings slump to post 165 for six against Lucknow Super Giants.

Hetmyer, who was dropped at 15 by Krunal Pandya, lived up to his Rs 8.50 crore price tag as he blasted six maximums and a four in his unbeaten 36-ball 59 to lift RR to a decent score.

Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal added 42 runs in first five overs but it lost three wickets in a 15-ball burst to be reduced to 67 for four at one stage.

Hetmyer and Ravichandran Ashwin then rebuild the innings with a 68-run stand off 51 balls before the latter was strategically retired out by the RR camp in the slog overs.

The West Indian paced his innings well before going for the shots at the back end.

Earlier, Avesh Khan produced the first breakthrough with his first ball and then a two-wicket burst by Krishnappa Gowtham saw it reduce RR to 67 for four on a track where the ball was holding.

Jason Holder went for runs too many but managed two wickets, while Ravi Bishnoi too didn’t have a good day, which included a drop return catch from Paddikal in his first over.

Opening the innings after being sent into bat, Jos Buttler smoked Holder for a maximum before sending the next one across the short fine leg but he was castled by Avesh in the first ball of his spell.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 165/6 in 20 overs (S Hetmyer 59) bt Lucknow Super Giants 162/8