01 May 2008 - Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur : Shane Warne and his men stomped to their fourth successive win by beating the Kolkata Knight Riders by 45 runs, here at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The target set at 196 always needed some getting and a completed spirited performance by the Rajasthan Royals ensured that the Kolkata Knight Riders got nowhere close to that figure.

Warne won the toss, and as expressed earlier, choose to bat on a scorching afternoon. The initial success enjoyed by Graeme Smith gave way as he was bowled cheaply off Ishant Sharma. Shane Warne's tactic of playing a regular opener and strengthening the batting paid rich dividend as debutant Swapnil Asnodkar (man-of-the-match) took charge of the Rajasthan Royals innings. Kaif, promoted to number 3, along with Asnodkar bought up the 50 for Rajasthan Royals in the seventh over with a six over long-off. However, a slower-delivery from Agarkar lead to the downfall of Kaif.

The dismissal bought in the inform Yousuf Pathan. The pair got the tempo going for the innings with Asnodkar hitting is maiden half-century on debut off 29 deliveries. Ganguly then bought on Umar Gul who lead to a double blow for the Rajasthan Royals in the form on Asnodkar and Watson, who was unfortunate to be dismissed leg before.

Jadeja, whom Warne has praised and foresees as a rising star, lived up to the skipper's expectation by playing another cameo (33 off 19) and raising a half-century partnership with Pathan. The innings included the first six off a free hit that came off Umar Gul. Pathan went off to make his second half century (55 off 33) of the tournament as Rajathan Royals looked good for a total of 200 plus. However, disciplined bowling towards the end from Sharma and Gul restricted the total to 196.

The Kolkata Knight Riders innings could have got to a disastrous start, had substitute Patel held on to a sitter that came of Salman Butt. Thankfully, Butt did not last too long as he was bowled by Tanveer for 7. The Kolkata Knight Riders came up with a surprise in the form of Agarkar who hit a quick 20 off 13. Experienced campaigner and the late draft Brad Hodge joined Ganguly, but was unfortunately run-out at the bowler's end through a deflection off Siddhart Trivedi.

Ganguly and David Hussey steadied the Kolkata ship through a healthy 68 off 47. Ganguly complied 51 off 39, but was lucky to be given not out off the bowling of Pathan. Kolkata faced a double blow as they lost Ganguly and inform Laxmi Shukla in quick succession. The task looked daunting at that point as the visitors needed close to 75 runs in the last six overs. Rajasthan Royals bought their A-game as the home team significantly lifted their fielding standards, Jadeja leading from the front.

At no point did Shane Warne and his men let complacency set in and bowled outstandingly right through the innings, especially at the death-overs with some immaculate yorkers. Once again, Warne marshaled his men brilliantly - getting the combination right, having the correct field settings, making the bowling changes and leading from the front. Take a bow!