Picture : Twitter / IPL
Both the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals were in search for vital two points to keep alive their play- offs hopes. And in the end it was the Rajasthan Royals who came out on top in this one – sided encounter at Abu Dhabi.
Deciding to bat first after Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, CSK batting once was found wanting. Credit though goes to Rajasthan Royals bowlers for not allowing the CSK batsmen break free. The CSK top order flopped – Sam Curran ( 22) , Faf du Plessis ( 10 ), Shane Watson ( 8) , Ambati Rayudu ( 13), Mahendra Singh Dhoni ( 28) run-out this not often one sees. Ravindra Jadeja (35) and Kedar Jadhav remained not out ( 4). The poor scores meant the total was below par 125/ 5 in twenty overs.
Rajasthan bowlers were on top right from the start . Jofra Archer coming out with yet another impressive spell. he is having a dream run w3ih the ball. Archer had figures of 1/ 20 ( 4 overs) he rattled batsmen with his pace. He was supported well by Rahul Tewatia 1/ 18 ( 4 overs), Shreyas Gopal 1/ 14 ( 4 overs) , Kartik Tyagi 1/35 (4 overs).
In reply the Royals had initial jitters as they lost three quick wickets early and were reeling at 28/ 3. Ben Stokes once again was out to a inside edge when he looked threatening for 19. Robin Uthappa was out for 4, Sanju Samson without scoring .
But with the target not big one, experienced duo of skipper Steve Smith and Jos Buttler weathered the storm and put one a match winning unbeaten 98 runs partnership to seal the match with 15 balls to spare. Reaching 126 / 3 in 17. 3 overs. Jos Buttler who in the past got off to starts but could not carry on , found his touch and range of shots this time around. He stroked a power packed unbeaten knock of 70 off 48 balls with seven fours and two maximums. Steve Smith was happy playing second fiddle to the dominating Englishman. Smith scored 26 and remained unbeaten.
CSK bowlers managed to get early wickets but the total was too small to defend. Deepak Chahar 2/18 ( 4 overs), Josh Hazlewood 1/ 19 ( 4 overs) Shardul Thakur 0/ 34 ( 4 overs), Piyush Chawla 0/ 32 ( 3 overs).
A look at the Points Table after Match 37 of #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/lHOAWzMdKV
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 19, 2020
After this win the the Rajasthan Royals now move to the fifth position awhile the CSK languish at the bottom of the table. A very precarious situation for the three time champions . With 7 losses in ten games with 3 wins, CSK hopes of play- offs now virtually over in this season.
