Chennai: Dwayne Bravo (2/32) bowled a brilliant final over against Rajasthan Royals, where the visitors were requiring 12 runs to win but they scored only three losing two wickets including the well-set Ben Stokes (46, 26b, 1×4, 3×6), to help Chennai Super Kings script an eight-run win in their ongoing Indian Premier League game here, Sunday.
Chasing 176 runs to win, Royals were reduced to 14/3 in 3.1 overs and the credit goes to Deepak Chahar (2/19). However, Rahul Tripathi (39, 24b, 5×4, 1×6) and Steve Smith tried to make amends before the former got out off an Imran Tahir (2/23) delivery.
Then some quick wickets at regular intervals reduced Royals to 120/6 in 16.1 overs. Later, Stokes and Jofra Archer (24 n o, 11b, 1×4, 2×6) resurrected Royals’ innings with a 44-run stand to take Royals close to the target before Bravo stole the show.
Earlier, negotiating largely disciplined bowlers on a tricky pitch, skipper MS Dhoni (75 n o, 46b, 4×4, 4×6) produced a well-calculated half century as CSK posted 175/5 against Royals.
The pitch used in the previous match was a rank turner but Sunday it turned to be a different challenge for the batsmen since it was not conducive for stroke-play and helped pacers initially.
Dhoni paced his innings beautifully scoring an unbeaten knock to seize momentum from Royals bowlers who were off to an inspiring start.
Dhoni and Suresh Raina (36) added 61 runs for the fourth wicket, pushing the ball around and later the former India skipper raised a 56-run stand with West Indies’ Bravo, who added quick 27 runs.
The dew is already troubling the bowlers and it will be a challenge for the home bowlers to control the ball. Dhoni used his vast experience to read the conditions and mostly worked the ball around to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Royals were disciplined throughout but pacer Jaydev Unadkat conceded 28 runs in the final over with Dhoni finding three of his four sixes in that over after Ravindra Jadeja (8 n o) lofted the paceman for a maximum.
The Royals pace trio of Archer (2/17), Dhawal Kulkarni and Ben Stokes kept the CSK batsmen on a tight leash in the powerplay overs. They conceded just 29 runs and also got rid of three top order batsmen.
Each of them accounted for one CSK batsman, bringing experienced Dhoni and Raina together at the crease. The runs came in singles with spinners Shreyas Gopal and Krishnappa Gowtham maintaining the pressure with tight line and length.
Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 175/5 (MS Dhoni 75 n o, Suresh Raina 36; Jofra Archer 2/17) bt Rajasthan Royals 167/8 (Ben Stokes 46; Deepak Chahar 2/19, Imran Tahir 2/23) by 8 runs.
