After the highs of the weekend doubleheaders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, the fifth week started on a low note. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) played a completely one-sided affair out a one-sided encounter in Abu Dhabi with RR winning it comprehensively owing to a brilliant half-century from Jos Buttler. However, it was their bowling that did the job to restrict the opposition.
Earlier, MS Dhoni won’t the toss and decided to bat first, but after the toss, nothing went their way atter the toss as none of their batsmen could back their skipper’s decision to bat. Sam Curran came out to open the innings with Faf du Plessis but the latter got out early. Shane Watson was soon dismissed and the youngster failed to soak-in the pressure of dot balls as he perished after scoring 22 off 25 balls. Ambati Rayudu too couldn’t do much as he got out to Rahul Tewatia.
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At 56/4 after 10 overs, MS Dhoni joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja to rebuilding the innings. The duo rotated the strike even as the spinners, Tewatia and Shreya Gopal, who scalped a wicket each. Meanwhile, Jadeja and Dhoni trudged along to complete a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket but only managed to help CSK to reach a total of just 125 runs on the board after 20 overs.
The 126-run chase wasn’t big enough to scare the Royals batsmen, still, Ben Stokes was dismissed early by Deepak Chahar and soon Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson left RR reeling at 28/3 in the fifth over. However, Steve Smith and Jos Buttler had other plans
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Smith struggled early in his innings, but with no pressure of required run-rate, but then along with Buttler, who smashed a fiery fifty, added 98 runs for the 4th wicket. RR ended the chase in the 18th over itself improving their net run-rate.On the other hand, CSK have nothing much left in the tournament now as they are almost knocked out.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Bit of a Monday back to work kind of game compared to a Sunday of wild entertainment.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2020
Such a tough batsmen to bowl to is Buttler. You bowl straight, give him no room… he has the great skill to carve the ball towards cover and whip it on the leg side too. And with wonderful timing. So basically he scores easily off good balls too. Class act! 🙏👏👏👏#CSKvsRR
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 19, 2020
Rahul Tewatia & Shreyas Gopal bowled 8 overs and conceded 32 between them. Plus 2 wickets. Why has Piyush Chawla bowled his first over in the 13th, with 2 right handers at the crease throughout? #RRvsCSK #IPL2020
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) October 19, 2020
Looks like even Dhoni thinks so. He virtually called time on this year's campaign and talked about giving the youngsters a run. But what a run CSK have had in making every playoff in their time
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) October 19, 2020
Dear @msdhoni @ChennaiIPL
Next game let's open with Jagadeesan, give Curran the finisher role, Play Sai Kishore instead of a spinner.Nothing more to lose, let's get to see them play now. #CSK
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) October 19, 2020
#JosButtler at his best in a low scoring game. @IPL #CSKvRR #IPL2020 #RR
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) October 19, 2020
You are always trying to address things. You are always checking if you are going the process wrong. We are trying a few things, you don't want to make too many changes, insecurity is something you don't want to prevail in the dressing room – MS Dhoni
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 19, 2020
Mathematically they're still in, but basically Chennai Super Kings are out of playoff contention, for the first time in the franchise's history. #IPL2020
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) October 19, 2020
Okay guys, I'm embarrassed. I caught myself wishing for no IPL winner this season. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 19, 2020
