Picture : Twitter / IPL
Rajasthan Royals powered their way to the second spot in the points table of the Tata IPL 2022 as they beat Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in the 68th match of the tournament at Brabourne stadium.
CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chose to bat first but the Royals bowlers did not give away any freebies and made them work hard for their runs. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad ( 2), Devon Conway ( 16 ) fell early. Narayan Jagadeesan ( 1), Ambati Rayudu ( 3) meant the CSK batting was in tatters. But thanks to brilliance of Mooen Ali CSK reached a total something to bowl at. Ali was superb in his knock of 93 ( 57 balls, 13 fours, 3 sixes) . CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored 26 as the men in yellow reached 150/6 in their 20 overs.
For the Royals the bowling figures read : Obed McCoy 2/20 (4 overs), Yuzvendra Chahal 2/26 (4 overs) , Ravichandran Ashwin 1/28 (4 overs), Prasidh Krishna 0/ 32 ( 4 overs), Trent Boult 0/ 44 ( 4 overs)
In reply, Royals lost Orange cap holder Jos Buttler early again for ( 2). But other opener Yashasvi Jaiswal kep the chase on on track with a fine fifty , 59 ( 44 balls, 8 fours, 1 six). Skipper Sanju Samson once again was out for 15. Devdutt Padikkal went for 3. Suddenly the chase wobbled . But in bold move by the Royals Ravichandran Ashwin coming ahead of Riyan Parag proved to be the game changer. Playing against his former franchise Ashwin played a superb unbeaten knock of 23 ball 40 ( 2 fours, 3 sixes) . Shimron Hetmyer back in side after a short break could score ( 6), Riyan Parag not out 10 saw Royals home as they reached 151/ 5 in 19. 4 overs.
CSK bolwing figures were : Mukesh Choudhary 0/41 ( 4 overs) , Simarjeet Singh 1/ 18 ( 3 overs) , Mitchell Santner 0/ 15 ( 3 overs) , Matheesha Pathirana 0/ 28 (3.4 overs) , Moeen Ali 1/ 21 ( 4 overs) , Prashant Solanki 2/ 20 ( 2 overs)
3⃣ Places in the Playoffs, sealed. 👍
Who will grab the 4⃣th & final spot in the Playoffs? 🤔#TATAIPL | #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/ZxVnKgAQkV
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 20, 2022
As a result of Ashwin’s all-round show, the Royals, second ranked team in the points table, will face Gujarat Titans at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on May 24 with both teams having two chances at making the final.
