A clinical Rajasthan Royals (RR) inched closer to securing a play-offs berth with a convincing 24-run win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. Both RR and LSG are now tied on 16 points from 13 matches and need another win to confirm their place in the next stage of the tournament. Thanks to their margin of victory, RR also toppled LSG from the second place.
Batting first, Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 41 while Devdutt Padikkal blazed away to an 18-ball 39, as Rajasthan Royals posted 178 for six. Skipper Sanju Samson made 32 off 24 balls. Ravi Bishnoi was the most successful bowler for LSG, picking 2/31 in four overs. When their turn to bat came, LSG were stopped at 154 for eight.
But something weird happened in the ground during the match which hogged the limelight. On the third ball of the penultimate over, RR's star allrounder Riyan Parag celebrated after Marcus Stoinis holed out a catch to him. A second look revealed that the ball had made contact with the ground before going into his hands. Eventually the third umpire had to overturn the decision.
In the last over, Parag once again caught Stoinis. But this time, it was a clean catch and while celebrating Parag gestured the ball dropping on the field. His gesture drew flak from all over ranging from commentators to the trollers in the social media.
"I have got some advice for you young man, cricket is very very long game and we all have very long memories. Never ever tempt fate because it comes around quickly," said legendary batsman Matthew Hayden. “Future will determine that," opined veteran commentator, Ian Bishop.
Parag has had a mix season in the ongoing IPL season as he has amassed mere 154 runs in a total of 13 matches including a half-centurion knock. Being an all-rounder he didn't get to bowl much.
Meanwhile, RR will next face Chennai Super Kings on Friday (May 20). A big win in that fixture will all but confirm a top-two finish for them. Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans have booked their berth in the first qualifier of IPL 2022.
