Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored the fastest fifty in Indian Premier League history when he raised his half-century in 13 balls in a nine-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday (NZ time).
Chasing a modest target of 150 to win at Eden Gardens, 21-year-old Jaiswal began the run-chase with two sixes and three fours off the first over bowled by Kolkata captain Nitish Rana.
That set the tone as the red-hot Jaiswal reached his 50 in the third over but the 21-year-old was denied a century when skipper Sanju Samson joined him at the crease and scored a brisk 48 not out.
With Jaiswal on 94 and Rajasthan needing three runs to win, the opener hit a low full toss for four, missing out on his second century in the IPL this season after making 124 against Mumbai Indians.
Blackcaps bowler Trent Boult made a handy contribution with the ball for the Royals, nabbing two wickets - including the key scalp of English opener Jason Roy - to finish with figures of 2/15 from three overs.
"The shot with which I won (the game) is what's most pleasing because I'm learning to play till the end and win it for the team," Jaiswal said after he was named the player of the match. "That's my motto."
The Royals' Yuzvenrda Chahal took four wickets to become the leading wicket taker in IPL history, taking the spinner's overall tally to 184.
The result snaps a three-game losing streak for the Royals, who sit third in overall standings.
Reuters.
