Hyderabad, April 10 (IANS) Johan Botha struck a sparkling 67 not out as Rajasthan Royals cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League here Saturday.
Deciding to field, Rajasthan Royals restricted Chargers to 137/8 in 20 overs with good spells from Siddharth Trivedi (3-15), Amit Singh (3-35) and skipper Shane Warne (2-21).
After a good start given by Amit Paunikar (20) and experienced Indian batsman Rahul Dravid (28), Botha, promoted up the order, and Ross Taylor (21 not out) took the team home with a 58-run stand.
Deccan Chargers' jinx at their home ground continued as they once again failed to notch up a win at the Rajeev Gandhi International Stadium here.
Chasing a modest total on a batting track, Paunikar and Dravid rustled up 31 runs in 5.4 overs before the former edged a Dale Steyn delivery and skipper and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakarra dived to take a brilliant catch.
Dravid, who got off to a slow start, soon gathered steam and with Botha added 52 runs for the second wicket. But just when the former India captain was looking to come good, he was deceived by the change of pace of a Dale Steyn delivery that went on to crash his off stump. He struck two fours in his 35-ball innings.
Botha justified his promotion up the order with his 47-ball innings which included eight fours and a six. Taylor, who came after Dravid's dismissal, hustled up the chase with his 14-ball knock which came with the help of a four and two sixes.
Botha finished the chase in style, smashing left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for 18 runs and reaching the target with seven deliveries to spare. He struck a straight six and then swept a four to open Rajasthan's account in the fourth edition.
Apart from Steyn (2-18), none of the Chargers bowlers could be successful.
The hosts had got off to a blazing start with Shikhar Dhawan (24) and Ishank Jaggi (25) putting up 40 runs in 4.5 overs much to the delight of a packed stadium crowd. Amit Sigh gave Royals the breakthrough when Dhawan slogged him straight to Abhishek Raut at midwicket.
Sangakkara's (0) stint with a new franchise got off to a forgettable start as he was caught behind off the third ball he faced, edging Trivedi. Trivedi struck for the second time within two overs when Bharat Chipli (6) inside-edged a slower one while attempting to pull.
Jaggi's presence inspired confidence but he dragged Warne to long-on to stun the crowd to silence, with Chargers reeling at 69/4.
J.P. Duminy (14), who came down the ground to slam Warne for a six, failed to gauge his another delivery and was caught at long-off.
Daniel Christian (26) and Dwaraka Ravi Teja (28) shared 37 runs for the sixth-wicket but Trivedi dismissed Christian with a slow bouncer in his second spell.