Rajasthan Royals eased into the semi-finals of the Champions League T20, posting a nine-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers in their Group A game here on Sunday night. Set a modest 120, the Royals were methodical in their approach as they cruised to the target in 16.3 overs in the one-sided encounter. The early wicket of skipper Rahul Dravid had no real effect, with Ajinkya Rahane (62 not out, 53 balls) and Sanju Samson (50 not out, 42 balls) taking up the responsibility. The duo batted with ease and displayed calm heads as they trudged to the target picking up easy singles and boundaries. Their 120–run partnership (95 balls) for the second wicket paved the way for the win — the Royals’ 11th consecutive victory in T20 games at home this year — with the lack of big names in the Scorchers’ bowling attack also helping the hosts’ cause. In the evening, Royals’ bowlers maintained a tight line much to Dravid’s expectations, who won the toss and opted to field. The Scorchers, a largely inexperienced team with seven players who have played less than 10 T20 games each, were never expected to bother the in-form hosts and played to the script. The team were bowled out for 119 in 20 overs. Medium pacer Kevon Cooper troubled the opponents with his pace and nagging line, ending with 4/18, while leg-spinner Pravin Tambe (2/17) and James Faulkner (2/15) played perfect foils, keeping Scorchers on the back foot throughout.
Scores: Perth Scorchers 120 in 20 overs (A. Voges 27, L. Davis 18; Cooper 4/18, Faulkner 2/16, Tambe 2/17) lost to Rajasthan Royals 121/1 in 16.3 overs (A. Rahane 62 not out, Samson 50 not out; Behrendorff 1/28) by nine wickets
