Rajasthan Through To Semi’s

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Rajasthan Royals became the first team to go through to the IPL Semi-finals after last nights victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. Full scorecard

It was the disciplined bowling of Shane Warne’s team which set up the win, as Kolkata were limited to just 147-8 from their 20 overs. Three wickets for suprise IPL package Sohail Tanvir and tight bowling from Aussies Warne and Watson gave Rajasthan an easy target and helped set up their fourth consecutive victory.

Good new ball bowling from Pakistani Umar Gul gave Rajasthan an early fright after he removed Graeme Smith and Tanvir but Indians Mohammad Kaif and Yusuf Pathan put on a big hitting partnership to make the 148 needed for the win, look very modest. Pathan in particular making 48 from just 18 balls.

It was the shrewdness of the legendary Warne though which condemned Kolkata to defeat and incidentally, virtually ruining any chance they had of reaching the semi’s themselves. His captaincy showed its class again as his bowling changes and field placements unsettled Kolkata and even the usually reliable David Hussey and Sourav Ganguly found it hard going.

Result from Eden Gardens: Rajasthan Royals won by 6 wickets.