CSK won the toss and opted to bat first. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu opened the innings while Krishanappa Gowtham bowled the first over for RR. The strategy looked plain and simple for Rayudu continued with his attempts at big shots. Rayudu got a thick inside edge, going for a big shot, and the ball hit the stumps. Suresh Raina came in to bat, and started with a boundary towards on-side, CSK were 55/1 after the powerplay.
A partnership was building between Raina and Watson, though at a slower pace. CSK were 80/1 after 9 overs.
CSK were cruising at a scoring rate of 9 runs per over. Archer came back to attack and created a difficult chance when Watson got a thick edge on the ball and it went high up in the sky, Buttler easily caught the ball. Dhoni came in next to bat. Still, CSK kept the run-rate steady. Raina reached his fifty comfortably. CSK were 111/2 after 12 overs.
The pressure was building on Raina to score quick runs and he mis-hit a ball that created an easy chance for Stuart Binny at the short fine leg. Sam Billings came in to bat after Raina’s departure. CSK stood at 134/3 after 16 overs.
CSK innings had come to a standstill after a reasonably quick start.
Stokes started the final over of the innings and looking to accelerate, Billings welcomed him with two consecutive boundaries. But he fell prey to an unlucky run-out later in the over. Bravo came in to bat. Stokes made a comeback and finished the over pretty well. CSK managed to put up a decent score on the board and ended their innings with 176/4.
Jos buttler and Ben Stokes opened for RR and Buttler started with three consecutive fours. It was a solid start for RR. Buttler was taking the score up. Stokes bowled by Harbhajan Singh on a knuckle Delivery.
Rahane was the next man in and provided an easy catch at the slip. Sanju Samson was the next man in. RR were 85/2 after 9 overs.
Bravo returned and ran Samson out, courtesy of a mix-up between the two batsmen. Prashant Chopra was the next batsman for the Royals. Chopra hit Bravo for a boundary, a first for Bravo in this match. RR stood at 104/3 at the end of 12 overs.
Shardul Thakur returned to bowl the 13th over and just Prashant Chopra looked like a surprise entry on to the scene, he was made to depart through a soft-dismissal. Stuart Binny was the next man in. Buttler, who had been towing Rajasthan Royal’s scoreboard throughout the innings, had the responsibility to take RR across the line. RR were 131/4 after 16 overs.
RR needed 46 in 24 balls.
On the 4th ball of 18th over binny hands a catch to Watson and goes back.
Gowtham came in and smashed two back to back sixes, which took RR back in the game.
Gowtham, out Caught by Dhoni. He added 13 of 4 balls. One over 12 runs needed, Buttler smashed six on the fourth ball and before doubles twice took RR close to win. RR needed 2 runs of 2 balls and Jos took doubles and RR snatched win from the mouth of the Kings. Extreme Show by Buttler.
This win keot the hopes of RR in the playoffs.
Dhoni was unhappy with the performance of his team. This win raised questions on the bowling of CSK which has been not so good in the tournament so far.
CSK has to look into it’s bowling squad and Dhoni has to resemble his tricks and techniques.
All the way match was fantastic. Hosts win and gifted it to the crowd who was cheering for them for hours. Party in Jaipur begins….
“Ankit Vaishnav”
