Sanju Samson and Steve Smith captain of Rajasthan Royals.
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KL Rahul's resurgent Kings XI Punjab faced off with Steve Smith's Rajasthan Royals knowing a victory would put them in a strong position for one of the three remaining play-off qualification spots for IPL 13 in the UAE on Friday night.
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Rajasthan won the toss and put Punjab in to bat. The in-form Jofra Archer was soon among the wicket as he took out Mandeep Singh for a duck.
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However, skipper, run-machine and fellow opener Rahul kept his head to put on 46 runs from 41 balls.
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The better-late-than-never Chris Gayle continued his hot streak with a blazing 99 from 63 deliveries, including eight sixes and six fours.
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Nicholas Pooran chipped in with 22 to help get KXIP to a very healthy 185-4 in their 20 overs.
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Gayle's best-yet 99 took him into the top 25 top run-getters this season, despite having played only six matches, with all others above him having played many more.
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Abu Dhabi was playing like Sharjah with batsmen going for the big scores. Ben Stokes of Rajasthan opened up with a perfect 50 off 26 balls.
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Sanju Samson and skipper Smith carried on from there, keeping the required run rate in sight.
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Samson was run out on 48 off 25 deliveries as Smith put on an unbeaten 31.
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Smith and Jos Buttler (22) closed out the chase comfortably with 14 balls to spare to dent Punjab's hopes of making the top four and a qualifying spot in the play-offs. KXIP are still fourth but have Rajasthan and Kolkata breathing right down their necks, with all teams on 12 points having played 13 matches.
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