Two nights. Two thrillers. This is turning out to be quite an IPL.
Less than 24 hours after Alzarri Joseph stole a two off the last ball to give Mumbai Indians a sensational win over Kings XI Punjab, Mitchell Santner did even better. He smashed the last ball for a six to help Chennai Super Kings script an incredible four-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals.
The defending champion had needed three off that last ball, when Santner, playing only his second match of the season, lofted Ben Stokes over long-on. The final over, from which Chennai had required 18, had also seen some controversy with the CSK captain M.S. Dhoni running on to the field to argue with the umpire over a no-ball.
Highlights: Rajasthan vs Chennai
The night, however, was a special one for Dhoni in many ways.
He had made 58 and added 95 for the fifth wicket with Ambati Rayudu (57) – a partnership that would prove the match-winning one in the end. Chasing 152 to win, CSK was reeling at 24 for four in the sixth over when the two seasoned batsmen came together.
It was superb bowling by the Royal seamers and brilliant fielding that put CSK under pressure.
Stokes' catch at backward point – diving, rather flying, to his left -- to send back Kedar Jadhav will count among the best at the IPL. The tumbling catch by Shreyas Gopal near the ropes to end the crucial innings of Rayudu was a great one too, more so given the situation of the match.
In pictures: CSK vs RR
After Rayudu’s dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja joined Dhoni. He too made a contribution to Chennai’s remarkable chase. He hit the first ball of that eventful final over from Stokes for a six, easing the pressure considerably for his team.
And it was an amazing shot too; he fell over the ground after completing the stroke straight over the bowler’s head. In fact, the bowler too fell, making it more comical.
Earlier in the evening, Jadeja completed a milestone, taking his 100th wicket in the IPL. There was a different kind of century for Dhoni too; he became the first captain to win 100 matches in the IPL.The host, after being put in, could not capitalise on the brisk start provided by openers Jos Buttler and Ajinkya Rahane, who added 31 in less than three overs.
Soon after the captain played across the line and fell lbw to Deepak Chahar — the bowler insisted on a referral and got it right too - Buttler joined him in the dug-out soon. He skied a catch to extra cover after hitting Shardul Thakur’s first three balls for four.
It took a rearguard action by Stokes, who top-scored with 28, and Shreyas Gopal, who smashed 19 not out off just seven balls with two fours and a six, to bring some relief to the Royals camp.
Later in the night, Royals discovered that it just wasn’t quite enough, slumping to their fifth defeat in six games.
Dhoni’s men have now six wins from seven, the sixth and latest victory the sweetest of them all.
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