In the 43rd game of IPL 2018, the hosts Rajasthan Royals (RR) claimed an important victory by 4-wicket (with the only ball to spare) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur) on Friday night. CSK scored 176/4 in 20 overs which were successfully chased down by the hosts in 19.5 overs after losing 6 wickets.
CSK skipper MS Dhoni decided to field first after winning the toss. After opener Ambati Rayudu departed early for just 12 runs, another opener Shane Watson and no.3 batsman Suresh Raina put a brilliant 86-run partnership for the second wicket. Watsons scored 39 runs while Raina completed his half-century (52 runs off 35 balls) before getting out.
While both the set batsmen departed in quick successions, there was another good 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket between the skipper MS Dhoni and Sam Billings. Those important efforts helped CSK to put a good fighting total on that board as they scored 176/4 in 20 overs. Billings scored 27 runs while Dhoni was unbeaten on 33 runs off 23 balls.
Among the RR bowlers, only Jofra Archer (2/42) and Ish Sodhi (1/29) were able to take wickets in that innings.
In reply, the in-form opener Jos Buttler almost single-handedly guided his team to a crucial victory. In the beginning, Buttler began the innings with his familiar attacking batting while another opener Ben Stokes (11) and no.3 captain Ajinkya Rahane (4) were dismissed cheaply.
From the middle of that innings, Buttler got some important short help from Sanju Samson (21 runs off 22 balls), Stuart Binny (22 runs off 17 balls) and Krishnnapa Gowtham (13 runs off 4 balls) while he was not out on 95 runs off 60 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Buttler’s superb sensible knock secured an important victory for the hosts.
Apart from the 48-run opening partnership, RR had two more important partnerships and those were 46-run for the third wicket between Buttler and Samson and 37-run for the fifth wicket between Buttler and Binny. Those partnerships had important roles for Rajasthan’s victory in this game.
Among the CSK bowlers, David Willey, Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur and Dwayne Bravo all picked up one wicket each.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Rajasthan Royals using Butler. #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/Cju58HkD1U
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 11, 2018
Sensational innings from Buttler. Batted all the way through which was critical. But the three sixes from Gowtham and Binny played a big part.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2018
Most consecutive 50+ scores in IPL:
5 – Virender Sehwag
4 – JOS BUTTLER*
4 – Virat Kohli #RRvCSK— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 11, 2018
Jos Buttler, the man does it once again. Ends on the winning side, for once.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 11, 2018
What a game! What a game! What an innings by Buttler! This is IPL, the best league in the world. 😭
— Ojas Rohit's Warrior Korde (@Ojasism) May 11, 2018
Prashant Chopra is an opener. Just like Tripathi. So is Rahane. #RR have found ways to make people bat in positions that aren’t familiar to them. Interesting. #RRvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 11, 2018
Everytime I go to a cricket match, I wish the umpires have a good day. Otherwise the game suffers. Think of Jofra Archer. Nice first over and that wide call changed it.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2018
Suresh Raina completes 300 runs for this season.
He's the only player to have scored 300+ runs in all 11 IPL seasons. #RRvCSK
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 11, 2018
Me to Buttler#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/0fsuTtK2Hl
— Arun LoL (@dhaikilokatweet) May 11, 2018
Dhoni in every Post match presentation ceremony. #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/N8tqgAOOA8
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 11, 2018
Rahane using his resources in this IPL. #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/WS0s6x5aMq
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 11, 2018
Honestly, Rajasthan has had a couple of weird selections. And tactics.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) May 11, 2018
bowlers in death overs when Dhoni is batting#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/YxJSovnvRa
— Dr. Gill (@ikpsgill1) May 11, 2018
Ajinkya Rahane, after realising that he can still qualify for the play-offs. #RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/XiemO2EZhj
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 11, 2018
RR have done well to restrict CSK. 15 short of where they should have got to. #RRvCSK
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) May 11, 2018
Sodhi has bowled with good control and picked up wickets too. Surprising he hasn't played more matches.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 11, 2018
Umpiring in #IPL pic.twitter.com/NDM4snnts9
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 11, 2018
