The players of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) seem to have no negative bone as they have made it a habit of coming out winning in humdingers and the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is no exception. Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, CSK was in trouble during the run-chase against Rajasthan Royals (RR), nevertheless, the defending champions won by four wickets in the last delivery. CSK has now strengthened its position at the top of the points table. In the meantime, the Royals’ campaign in the tournament went from bad to worse.
After winning the toss, Dhoni decided to bowl first and the Royals ended up scoring 151 for seven in 20 overs. Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler started off well, but both perished in back-to-back overs. Even as Buttler fell prey to Shardul Thakur after getting 23 runs off 10 balls. Rahane was found in the front of stumps by Deepak Chahar. Mitchell Santner got rid of Sanju Samson in his very first over.
WATCH – MS Dhoni Takes A Successful Last Second DRS
Even Steve Smith and Rahul Tripathi got into the double figures only to be nipped out by Ravindra Jadeja. From RR’s perspective, no one could go and score big. However, everyone chipped in with decent scores in the lower order that helped RR to the competitive total. Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Jofra Archer, and Shreyas Gopal came out with some vital contributions of 28, 16, 13 and 19 respectively.
During the chase, CSK got off to a horrendous start as the visitors slumped to 24 for four in 5.5 overs. Dhawal Kulkarni knocked over Shane Watson to strike first blood. Thereafter, Suresh Raina was dismissed by the direct hit from Jofra Archer. Faf du Plessis was nipped out by Jaydev Unadkat. Then Archer also dismissed Kedar Jadhav in the 6th over with the help of Stokes’ flying catch. After the stutter, Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni took the onus on themselves.
WATCH – Last Over Drama During The RR And CSK Game
Dhoni and Rayudu added 95 runs in 71 balls to gave some momentum into the innings and most importantly, got the visitors to a decent position. Ben Stokes removed Rayudu after he scored 57 runs from 47 balls with two fours and three sixes. The CSK skipper scored a fifty, but a superlative Yorker from Stokes dismissed him. After his wicket, Mitchell Santner got CSK home with an over-boundary over long-on off Stokes.
Brief Score:
Chennai Super Kings – 155/6 in 20 overs (MS Dhoni 58, A Rayudu: 57; B Stokes: 2/38) defeated Rajasthan Royals – 151/7 in 20 overs (B Stokes 28; R Jadeja: 2/20, S Thakur: 2/44) by 4 wickets
Here is how Twitter reacted:
What a tournament this IPL is …. unbelievable matches … yesterday mumbai and now CSK ..only better competition is the World Cup
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) April 11, 2019
Unedifying to see @msdhoni lose his cool the way he did in the last over, storming on to the field to demand a no-ball. Even if right in his assessment of the delivery, wrong to be so demonstrative IMO
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 11, 2019
How good Mitch Santner 🏄🏻♂️👏👏👏. #IPL2019
— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) April 11, 2019
Dramatic last over that. Seen it all #CSKvsRR
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 11, 2019
What do we reckon, no ball…? a better replay would have helped mind… #ipl2019 pic.twitter.com/qNKZmukKNz
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) April 11, 2019
Unbelievable game.. @ChennaiIPL
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) April 11, 2019
Is daar Krieket aan? #masters 😀
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) April 11, 2019
Stokes desperate efforts to lose the match finally bore fruits. No-balls, wide, length balls in the slot.. Abysmal last over, frankly #RRvCSK #IPL2019
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 11, 2019
Its all about the intent. All about the mind. Never thought Dhoni would turn out to be @ChennaiIPL's leading run getter at this stage of the IPL. 4/24 when he walked in. He may not have batted through to take CSK home but this is Incredibly Special being his 100th win #RRvCSK
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 11, 2019
Umpiring this season has deteriorated! Some times you feel what do you play for, the cup or the fair play award? #RRvCSK #VIVOIPL congratulations #msd for 100th win as captain. #GameBanayegaName
— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 11, 2019
Mad last over that 👀
— Tymal Mills (@tmills15) April 11, 2019
🤦🏾♀️ Stokes again will have nightmares of bowling the final over in India #RRvsCSK Meanwhile great striking by Mitch Santner 👏🏽👏🏽
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 11, 2019
Long live the IPL, long live T20 cricket! 👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏#CSKvRR
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 11, 2019
This is not a good look for the game … No place at all for a Captain to storm onto the pitch from the Dugout … !! #IPL
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 11, 2019