IPL 2018: Rajasthan Royals Seal Emphatic Victory Over CSK to Keep Their Hopes Alive

Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept their hopes in the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) season eleven alive after registering a nail-biting thriller against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by four wickets and with a delivery to spare in Jaipur.

It was a master class by Jos Buttler yet again as Rajasthan chased down a pretty stiff target in the end.

Earlier in the day, it was Suresh Raina’s half-century which propelled Chennai to a competitive score of 176 in their allotted 20 overs.

Given their bowling line-up, Chennai would have definitely backed to defend the score. However, it wasn’t to be as Buttler played a brilliant knock which proved to be the nail in the coffin for Chennai.

It was Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the toss and opted to bat. Chennai lost in-form batsman Ambati Rayudu quite early. It was a loose shot from Rayudu as he inside edged a short of length delivery straight on to his stumps.

From there on, it was a great partnership between Shane Watson and Suresh Raina which got Chennai back on track.

Watson struck a couple of fours and sixes each during his knock of 39 in 31 deliveries before his departure. Yet again it was Jofra Archer, who provided the breakthrough.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sam Billings played some good shots towards the end of the innings which eventually got them over the 175 mark. Dhoni wasn’t quite able to capitalise on his six hitting form. He eventually remained unbeaten on 33 of 23 deliveries which included a four and a six.

On the other hand, Raina was the top scorer for Chennai with a well-composed 52 of 35 deliveries. The innings was studded with six fours and six.

Chennai’s score of 176 was a respectable one. Archer was the pick of the Rajasthan bowlers bagging a couple of wickets. The leg-spinner Ish Sodhi also chipped in with a wicket conceding only 29 runs.

Also Read: IPL 2018: 44th Match, KXIP vs KKR – Kings XI Punjab Predicted XI

Rajasthan was provided a sensational start by Buttler. He took on the Chennai bowlers with disdain and got Rajasthan off to a sensational start.

The hard-hitting batsman took Rajasthan to 48 before the end of the 4^th over. It was when his partner Ben Stokes who was the first victim. The southpaw who is having a pretty below part tournament failed to make a mark at the top of the order.

Wickets continued to fall at the other end. However, Buttler kept on the momentum and allowed Rajasthan to be well in course of the chase.

Stuart Binny struck 22 of 17 deliveries which got the target down to manageable margin. With 27 required of the final two, Krishnappa Gowtham smashed a couple of sixes of Jaydev Unadkat in the penultimate over.

However, he was dismissed in the final delivery of the 19^th over.

Buttler continued his rich vein of form and remained unbeaten on 95 to seal off the deal for Rajasthan. He smashed a four and a six in the final over to take Rajasthan to the victory line.

It was a sensational run-chase and Rajasthan will take a lot of confidence going in the last phase of the tournament.

Despite their victory, Rajasthan needs to win all their games in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Brief Scores:

Chennai Super Kings 176/4 in 20 overs (Suresh Raina 52, Jofra Archer 2/42, Ish Sodhi 1/28)

Rajasthan Royals 177/6 in 19.5 overs (Jos Buttler 95*, Dwayne Bravo 1/31)

Rajasthan Royals won by four wickets (with a delivery to spare)

Also

Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept their hopes in the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) season eleven alive after registering a nail-biting thriller against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by four wickets and with a delivery to spare in Jaipur.

It was a master class by Jos Buttler yet again as Rajasthan chased down a pretty stiff target in the end.

Earlier in the day, it was Suresh Raina’s half-century which propelled Chennai to a competitive score of 176 in their allotted 20 overs.

Given their bowling line-up, Chennai would have definitely backed to defend the score. However, it wasn’t to be as Buttler played a brilliant knock which proved to be the nail in the coffin for Chennai.

It was Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the toss and opted to bat. Chennai lost in-form batsman Ambati Rayudu quite early. It was a loose shot from Rayudu as he inside edged a short of length delivery straight on to his stumps.

From there on, it was a great partnership between Shane Watson and Suresh Raina which got Chennai back on track.

Watson struck a couple of fours and sixes each during his knock of 39 in 31 deliveries before his departure. Yet again it was Jofra Archer, who provided the breakthrough.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sam Billings played some good shots towards the end of the innings which eventually got them over the 175 mark. Dhoni wasn’t quite able to capitalise on his six hitting form. He eventually remained unbeaten on 33 of 23 deliveries which included a four and a six.

On the other hand, Raina was the top scorer for Chennai with a well-composed 52 of 35 deliveries. The innings was studded with six fours and six.

Chennai’s score of 176 was a respectable one. Archer was the pick of the Rajasthan bowlers bagging a couple of wickets. The leg-spinner Ish Sodhi also chipped in with a wicket conceding only 29 runs.

Also Read: IPL 2018: 44th Match, KXIP vs KKR – Kings XI Punjab Predicted XI

Rajasthan was provided a sensational start by Buttler. He took on the Chennai bowlers with disdain and got Rajasthan off to a sensational start.

The hard-hitting batsman took Rajasthan to 48 before the end of the 4^th over. It was when his partner Ben Stokes who was the first victim. The southpaw who is having a pretty below part tournament failed to make a mark at the top of the order.

Wickets continued to fall at the other end. However, Buttler kept on the momentum and allowed Rajasthan to be well in course of the chase.

Stuart Binny struck 22 of 17 deliveries which got the target down to manageable margin. With 27 required of the final two, Krishnappa Gowtham smashed a couple of sixes of Jaydev Unadkat in the penultimate over.

However, he was dismissed in the final delivery of the 19^th over.

Buttler continued his rich vein of form and remained unbeaten on 95 to seal off the deal for Rajasthan. He smashed a four and a six in the final over to take Rajasthan to the victory line.

It was a sensational run-chase and Rajasthan will take a lot of confidence going in the last phase of the tournament.

Despite their victory, Rajasthan needs to win all their games in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Brief Scores:

Chennai Super Kings 176/4 in 20 overs (Suresh Raina 52, Jofra Archer 2/42, Ish Sodhi 1/28)

Rajasthan Royals 177/6 in 19.5 overs (Jos Buttler 95*, Dwayne Bravo 1/31)

Rajasthan Royals won by four wickets (with a delivery to spare)

Also Read: IPL 2018: The Bowlers Let Us Down, Says Mahendra Singh Dhoni

 IPL 2018: The Bowlers Let Us Down, Says Mahendra Singh Dhoni