Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals produced a disciplined all-round performance to notch up a convincing nine-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers and seal their semifinal berth in the Champions League Twenty20 here on Sunday.
Riding on a fine bowling performance by Kevon Cooper (four for 18) and resolute unbeaten half-centuries by Ajinkya Rahane (62) and Sanju Samson (50), Rajasthan continued their unbeaten run in the tournament.
The hosts didn’t put a foot wrong as they first bundled out the visitors for a modest 120 in their stipulated 20 overs and then returned to overhaul the target with consumate ease, reaching 121 for one in just 16.3 overs.
Rajasthan now have 12 points from three matches and have their last league match here on Tuesday against Otago, who are placed second with 10 points after three outings.
Mumbai Indians too are in the reckoning with six points from as many matches.
Chasing a victory target of 121 runs, Rajasthan lost their skipper Rahul Dravid (2) in first over but Rahane and Sanju didn’t allow the it to affect their chase and kept them well in the hunt.
The duo added 120 runs for the second wicket, sharing 11 boundaries and four sixes between them in 95 balls at the Sawai Man Singh stadium here.
Earlier, Cooper led a disciplined bowling attack and didn’t allow the visitors to get off to a good start. Beside Cooper, Pravin Tambe (2-17), James Faulkner (2-16) and Shane Watson (1-23) also contributed with the ball.
Earlier, the Scorchers never looked up to the task as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals after being inserted by Rajasthan skipper Rahul Dravid. (PTI)
