Fortress breached: Sandeep Sharma kept his cool as he successfully defended 21 runs off the last over. His two low full-tosses, which were dispatched by Dhoni for sixes, were followed by a couple of accurate yorkers that were hard to put away. Rajasthan notched up its first win against Chennai in Chennai since 2008 and only second overall.
Agony and ecstasy: Chennai Super Kings fans had to swallow a heartbreaking three-run defeat despite an electric exhibition of clean hitting by their skipper M.S. Dhoni. While a loss at Chepauk is a bitter pill to swallow for CSK loyalists, they will take heart from the fact that Dhoni, like days of yore, is still capable of taking the team over the line in tense situations.
Almost there: M.S. Dhoni showed glimpses of his late-overs genius by smashing back-to-back sixes in the final over, from which Chennai Super Kings needed 21 runs to win. His 17-ball unbeaten 32 almost took Chennai over the line in front of a pumped-up crowd at Chepauk.
Stepping up: Devon Conway compiled a composed 38-ball 50 even as wickets fell around him to anchor the chase for Chennai Super Kings. The Kiwi’s knock ensured Super Kings remained in the fray throughout even though the task got too steep towards the end.
Homecoming: Home boy Ravichandran Ashwin silenced the fans at Chepauk by denting Chennai Super Kings with the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube, which swung the momentum in Rajasthan Royals’ favour. Ashwin also struck a 22-ball 30 with the bat after being promoted to No. 5 and was adjudged Player-of-the-Match for his all-round brilliance.
Jaddu ka jaadu: Ravindra Jadeja’s two for 21 from four overs was instrumental in restricting Rajasthan Royals to 175 for eight as the left-arm spinner claimed the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal and Sanju Samson in the space of three deliveries after the visitors got off to yet another strong start.
Buttlers’ day out: Jos Buttler’s wife Louise and daughters Margot and Georgia seem to have enjoyed watching the opener taking the Chennai Super Kings bowlers to task.
Jos the Boss: Rajasthan Royals’ fortunes have largely revolved around its swashbuckling opener Jos Buttler and the England skipper delivered yet again with a 36-ball 52 and also became the third fastest batter to scale the 3000-run mark in the IPL in his 85th innings. The IPL 2022 Orange Cap winner entered the top five list of run-scorers this season to emerge as one of the frontrunners for top honours.
Double trouble: Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson fell for a second consecutive duck when he lost his off-stump to a Ravindra Jadeja delivery that turned away from the right-hander. The wicket left Royals in a spot of bother as Devdutt Padikkal had been dismissed a couple of deliveries earlier.
Double-hundred: MS Dhoni is felicitated by former ICC Chairman and President of the BCCI N. Srinivasan ahead of his 200th appearance as captain of Chennai Super Kings. The talismanic skipper has led Super Kings to four IPL titles and holds the record for most matches as captain in the tournament’s history.
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