Rajasthan Royals maintain winning streak at home to enter semis

Rajasthan Royals continued their winning streak at home as they beat Otago volts by four wickets and moved into the semi-final of the Champions League Twenty20 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here Tuesday.

With the win, Rajasthan Royals extended their winning run at home to 12 matches and also kept alive semi-final fellow IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.

Otago Volts were in a must-win situation to qualify for the semi-final. Put in, they struggled with bat as pacer Rahul Shukla demolished the top-order with his three for 23.

Dutchman Ryan ten Doeschate (26), James Neesham (32), Nathan McCullum (28 not out) and Ian Butler (25) took the score to 139 for seven in 20 overs.

While Shukla did the damage upfront, West Indian pacer Kevon Cooper (2/33) rattled the middl-order with his double strikes. Shukla was also adjudged as Man of the Match.

In reply, Rajasthan Royals made 142 for six with five balls to spare. Opener Ajikya Rhane struck a solid 52 off 48 balls to the set the stage and Brad Hodge hogged the limelight with a quickfire unbeaten 52 off 23 balls that was studded with five fours and three sixes.

Pacers Neil Wagner (2/33) and Neesham (3/22) broke the Rajasthan Royals middle-order but Hodge played a gem of an innings to end Otago's hopes.

Brief scores: Otago 139 for seven in 20 overs. (Neesham 32,McCullum 28 not out; Shukla 3/23, Cooper 2/33). Rajasthan Royals 142 for six in 19.1 over (Rahane 52, Hodge 52 n.o; Neesham 3/22, Wagner 2/33). Rajasthan Royals won by four wickets.