CSK also keep their playoffs hopes alive with five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals
FIGHTING knock from skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and a three-wicket haul by Simarjeet Singh helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secure a five-wicket win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Chennai on Sunday.
With this win, CSK is in the third spot with seven wins and six losses, giving them 14 points. RR is at second spot, with eight wins and four losses, giving them 18 points.
In the run chase of 142 runs, openers Rachin Ravindra and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad started off really well for CSK. Rachin, took a more attacking approach against RR pacers, first smashing Sandeep for a six and then hitting Trent Boult for a four and six.
Ruturaj took a lesser aggressive role, letting Rachin express himself. However, Rachin’s quick start ended with Ravichandran Ashwin dismissing him for 27 in 18 balls, with a four and two sixes. CSK was 32/1 in 3.4 overs.
Daryl Mitchell was the next up on the crease. Mitchell made an impact from the get-go, punishing spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Sandeep with some elegant boundaries.
CSK reached the 50-run mark in 5.2 overs. CSK at the end of six overs of the powerplay, was 56/1, with Mitchell (20*) and Gaikwad (6*) unbeaten.
The partnership between the duo was cut short by Yuzvendra Chahal, trapping Mitchell leg-before wicket for 22 in 13 balls, with four boundaries. CSK was 67/2 in 7.5 overs.
Halfway through the innings, CSK was 77/2, with Ruturaj (20*) and Moeen Ali (4*) unbeaten.
Moeen Ali could not stick around for longer, dismissed by Nandre Burger for 10 in 13 balls, being caught by Avesh Khan at deep point. RR was 86/3 in 11.5 overs.
With some brief assault by Shivam Dube on Ashwin, CSK reached the 100-run mark in 13.2 overs.
Ruturaj kept guiding CSK to the brink of a win, with one stroke at a time, leaving the side with five runs needing in 12 balls.
CSK ended the run-chase successfully, finishing at 145/5 in 18.2 overs, with Gaikwad (42*) and Sameer Rizvi (15* in eight balls, with three fours).
Ashwin (2/35) was the pick of the bowlers for RR. Chahal and Burger got a wicket each. Scores: Chennai Super Kings 145/5 in 18.2 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 42*, Rachin Ravindra 27, R Ashwin 2/35) beat Rajasthan Royals 141/5 (Riyan Parag 47*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 24, Simarjeet Singh 3/26).