Picture : BCCI
Rajasthan Royals outclassed Chennai Super Kings by 32 runs in a TataIPL2023 encounter in Jaipur. The Royals hence continue to punch over their weight with yet another fine showing. RR were powered by the young Yashasvi Jaiswal who continued his good form with a brilliant half-century to set the tone for the ide .
With shots all- round the ground Jaiswal smashed 77 off 43 — his third fifty of IPL 2023 before Devdutt Padikkal (27 from 13 balls) and Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15) provided the final flourish to register the highest total — 202 for five — at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Jaiswal targeted Akash Singh, hitting three fours in the very first over. The youngster started off with boundaries through the covers off the first two balls before flicking the fourth ball in the gap through midwicket for the same result.
Jos Buttler also made a bright start as he hit Tushar Deshpande for a couple of fours in the second over.
Left-hander Jaiswal again took Singh to the cleaners, hitting the pacer for three fours and a six in his second over.
Buttler smashed spinner Mahesh Theekshana twice straight down the ground for two fours as Royals raced to 64 for no loss in six overs.
After minor dip in the middle overs and loss of wickets, the big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer was bowled by Theekshana for eight as Royals lost three wickets for 21 runs in the space of 17 balls.
Jurel and Paddikal then counter-attacked in the last few overs, as Royals smashed 49 in the last three overs to take their total above the 200-run mark.
CSK bowlers which skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in post- match presentation admitted that the side gave away too many runs and it hurt them badly.
In reply, RR Spinners Adam Zampa (3/22 in 3 overs) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/35) put CSK on the back- foot as they shared five wickets between them to restrict CSK to 170/6 despite quickfire knocks from Ruturaj Gaikwad (47 from 29) and Shivam Dube (52 from 33 balls).
CSK were way behind the asking rate as they were struggling on 72/2 at the halfway mark.
Ashwin (2/35) dented CSK further in the middle overs with the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane (15) and ‘Impact Player’ Ambati Rayudu (0).
But Dube had different plans as the left-hander upped the ante, hitting some much-needed sixes to give CSK a glimmer of hope.
The all-rounder brought his third consecutive fifty with the help of four sixes and two fours. However, he couldn’t take his side over the line.
CSK Impact Player: Ambati Rayudu replaces Akash Singh
RR Impact Player: Kuldip Yadav replaces Shimron Hetmyer
Match: IPL 2023, 37th Match
Venue: Jaipur | Date: April 27, 2023
