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Chennai vs Rajasthan Live Commentary, Match 12, Indian Premier League, 2019, March 31, 2019

CSK 175/5 (20)
Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 8 runs
RR 167/8 (20)
Match over
Chennai Super Kings Inning Rajasthan Royals Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome for the 12 game of the 12th edition of the Indian T20 League. Quite a bit of contrast in the two sides playing this evening. Chennai have won both their games so far, while Rajasthan have lost the two they have featured in. One of them happened despite a fantastic Sanju Samson century. The visitors have plenty to figure out. Still early days in the competition of course. The hosts are an experienced side, are well balanced and have carried on from where the left off in the prev
TOSS - Rajasthan win the toss and elect to field first!
Ajinkya Rahane says they will bowl first. Adds that he isn't sure about the wicket, and the dew might come in later on. States that Chennai are a good batting side, so have to be wary of that as well. Ends by informing that there are no changes in their playing XI.
MS Dhoni says the dew will come in, if it hasn't already, so things usually even out. Mentions that there is one change as Mitchell Santner comes in for Harbhajan Singh.
We are ready to get underway. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu walk out to the middle amid a loud cheer from the yellow wave. The Rajasthan players spread out across the field. Dhawal Kulkarni will take the ball first for them. Here we go...
0.1 : D Kulkarni to A Rayudu, Good length delivery around off, a hint of shape away, Rayudu opens the face of the bat and taps it down on the off side.
0.2 : D Kulkarni to A Rayudu, First run of the evening for Rayudu and Chennai. Outside off on a good length, the batter runs it down to third man and crosses over.
0.3 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, Targets the top of off stump with a length delivery, Watson stays back and defends it out.
0.4 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, On the fuller side of things, attacking the stumps, Watson hits it straight back to the bowler.
0.5 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, Some extra bounce on this occasion. A back of a length delivery outside off, Watson cuts but misses.
0.6 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, This length ball on off is punched straight to the man at cover. Tidy first over from Kulkarni. Just one run from it.
Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : J Archer to A Rayudu, Hurls it in the channel outside off, on a good length, it is left alone.
1.2 : J Archer to A Rayudu, Keeps it around the off stump, Ambati punches it away on the off side.
1.3 : J Archer to A Rayudu, Some width on offer outside off, it's smacked from the crease, but Rayudu can't get it past the cover fielder.
1.4 : J Archer to A Rayudu, Skidding off the deck a bit on this occasion, just behind a length on the stumps, Rayudu backs away a touch to play on the off side but is caught on the forearm.
So the physio is out. After copping a blow on the last delivery, Rayudu is feeling some pain on his forearm. He's receiving medical attention. Shouldn't be anything too serious though, some magic spray to do the trick.
1.5 : J Archer to A Rayudu, Five dots in a row from Jofra Archer. This is good bowling. Fires it full on off stump, Rayudu slogs off the inner half towards mid on.
1.6 : J Archer to A Rayudu, OUT! Brilliant stuff from Jofra Archer. A wicket-maiden from him. Sensational. Not much pace on this, at 133 clicks, since no runs have come in this over Rayudu tries to be a little unorthodox by backing away and running it down to third man. But all he can manage is an edge behind which Buttler collects gleefully.
Suresh Raina walks in at no.3.
And some drama here straightaway. Watson has been caught behind and given out, but the batsman has decided to review it. Let's see what happens here.
2.1 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, Not out! Relief for Watson and the yellow army in the crowd. Kulkarni angles it on leg and it keeps going further down, Watson attempts to flick it down fine but there seemingly is some noise behind as the ball passes the bat. There's an appeal and the umpire raises his finger. The Aussie thinks about it and then takes the DRS. Replays show there's no bat involved whatsoever, so he survives.
2.2 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, Fuller length ball and it is blocked out with a straight blade.
2.3 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, FOUR! That will make him feel a lot better. First boundary of the evening for Chennai. Back of a length on off, Watson sits back for it and swings across the line. Clears mid-wicket and finds the fence.
2.4 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, Short of a good length outside off, it's punched with good timing through the covers for a couple of runs.
2.5 : D Kulkarni to S Watson, A bit of a misfield from Stokes. Watson punches this square on the off side. Big Ben at point moves to his right from point, tries to stop it with a tumble but it goes through. The batsmen change ends.
2.6 : D Kulkarni to S Raina, Full and darted outside off, driven hard straight to the extra cover fielder.
Ben Stokes into the attack now.
3.1 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, Length ball quite close to off, Shane meets it with the full face of the bat.
3.2 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, SIX! He's really got a hold of that one, hasn't he? Finding the middle of the bat now, is Watson. Short of a length on middle and off, the opener picks the length up early. He goes back and pulls it powerfully over square leg for a maximum.
A replacement has been called for as Watson has hit that deep into the stands. Powerful hit from the big man, eh?
3.3 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, Pitched this well outside off, on a back of a length and there's some movement away from the batsman. He goes after it but can't reach it.
3.4 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, OUT! Stokes gets his revenge. This is exceptional fielding placement from Rahane. Stokes deliberately bowls it well outside off, offering Watson width. He goes after it, cuts it and it goes off the outer half. Jofra Archer at short third man is placed quite fine and he moves to his left to take the catch. Both the Chennai openers are back in the dugout now.
Kedar Jadhav is next in to bat.
3.5 : Ben Stokes to K Jadhav, FOUR! Wastes no time in opening his account. In fine style too. Short ball into the body from Stokes, Jadhav pulls it with good control over backward square and finds the fence.
3.6 : Ben Stokes to K Jadhav, FOUR! Takes the aerial route again and gets the desired result once more. Bumper banged in, Jadhav pulls it over mid-wicket for another boundary. Not in complete control of this one, but it's enough to fetch him what he wants. 14 runs and a wicket off this over, quite an eventful one for sure.
4.1 : D Kulkarni to S Raina, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, Raina slogs from inside his crease, off the inner half though to mid-wicket.
4.2 : D Kulkarni to S Raina, Clever. Takes the pace off this one and hurls it just outside off, on a length. Raina looks to cut but is too early into the shot.
4.3 : D Kulkarni to S Raina, Top edge and FOUR! Short ball on middle, Raina moves inside the line and looks to pull. It goes off the top edge and flies over the keeper's head, making its way to the boundary line behind.
4.4 : D Kulkarni to S Raina, Shaping back in on middle and off, the southpaw gets an inside edge onto his thigh pad and rolls on the off side. A quick run is pinched.
4.5 : D Kulkarni to K Jadhav, OUT! Kulkarni picks up his first and Chennai have lost their third already, well inside the Powerplay. A loose shot from Jadhav. It's full and wide outside off, seaming away, Kedar goes after it with a booming drive and nicks it behind. Buttler moves to his right and takes a relatively easy catch. The hosts in a spot of bother here.
Amid the loudest cheer of the evening so far, here comes the skipper MS Dhoni. He will bat next.
4.6 : D Kulkarni to MS Dhoni, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line, left alone by MSD.
Jofra Archer returns to the attack.
5.1 : J Archer to S Raina, Raina waits for this length delivery to come to him, moves inside the line and works it down on the leg side with gentle hands.
5.2 : J Archer to S Raina, Archer angles it across the left-hander, well outside off, Raina is tentative as he has a tame poke at the ball. Needs to be careful.
5.3 : J Archer to S Raina, Fraction straight in line, it's turned through the vacant square leg region for one run.
5.4 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Close. Could have been gone. Chennai would have been in real trouble then. Back of a length on off, Dhoni looks to play at it but it goes off the inside edge, deflects off the pads and touches the stumps. Surprisingly, the bails don't come off. Steven Smith notices this first and has a cheeky laugh at it.
5.5 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Dhoni gets off the mark. Works it away on the leg side through backward square leg and takes a single.
5.6 : J Archer to S Raina, Jaffa! Sharp bouncer from Archer, on middle, takes Raina completely by surprise and all he can do is somehow get out of its way. That's the end of the Powerplay, Chennai are 29/3.
Time for some spin. Shreyas Gopal on now.
6.1 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
6.2 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Tossed up on middle and leg, it's paddled fine down the leg side for a double.
6.3 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Uses his feet to this one. Steps out and pushes it back down the track before the ball can even turn.
6.4 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Some pace on this one. Full and in line of the stumps, MSD is well forward in defense.
6.5 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Once again Dhoni jumps out of his crease and offers a defensive shot in response.
6.6 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Quick, flat and short, Dhoni goes back and punches it down to long on for a single.
Krishnappa Gowtham to roll his arm over.
7.1 : K Gowtham to MS Dhoni, Spinning in from off stump, Dhoni goes with the spin as he turns it on the leg side. A single is collected.
7.2 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Looped up on middle and leg, from around the wicket, Raina looks to play at it but it goes off the pads on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.
7.3 : K Gowtham to MS Dhoni, Back to over the wicket, full around off, MSD drills it through to long off for one.
7.4 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Switches the angle again, quicker on the stumps, Raina comes half forward and pushes it towards covers.
7.5 : K Gowtham to S Raina, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
7.6 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Raina leans into the full ball and eases it to long off to keep strike.
8.1 : S Gopal to S Raina, The googly around off, it turns away sharply. Raina opens the face of the bat and dabs it late down to short third man.
8.2 : S Gopal to S Raina, Skips down the track to this floated ball and drills it down the ground, towards long off, for a run.
8.3 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Short, flat and turning away from off, Dhoni goes deep inside the crease and slaps it towards the long on fielder. He rotates strike.
8.4 : S Gopal to S Raina, FOUR! Cut away and cut away hard! Short and wide outside off, there to be hit. Raina obliges as he rocks back and cracks it through backward point for a boundary.
8.5 : S Gopal to S Raina, Quicker delivery around off, Suresh forces the punch to the covers but won't get any run for it.
8.6 : S Gopal to S Raina, Goes on the back foot and hits it through to deep mid-wicket. Single to end the over.
Strategic break. Rajasthan clearly on top after picking up three early wickets. Kulkarni, Archer and Stokes all picked up one each, but since then, Chennai have made a decent recovery with Raina and Dhoni patiently building a partnership. Let's see how the next phase goes. Crucial for both teams.
9.1 : K Gowtham to S Raina, FOUR! Right after the break! A flighted ball outside off, Raina reaches out and lifts it over the covers for a boundary. Good shot!
9.2 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Flatter one on the off stump line, Raina defends it to covers this time.
9.3 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Good placement! Outside off and quicker, the ball is reached out for by Raina and he pushes it wide of cover for a couple of runs. It brings up the 50 for the hosts!
9.4 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Wide! Sprayed down the leg side this time by Gowtham.
K Gowtham to S Raina, Inside edge but safe! A slower one on the off stump, Raina pushes at it coming ahead but gets it off the inner edge and it goes towards fine leg for a single.
9.5 : K Gowtham to MS Dhoni, Fired in the blockhole, Dhoni digs it out and gets it past the bowler who dives to his right to stop the ball. A single is taken.
9.6 : K Gowtham to S Raina, High full toss outside off, pushed to long off for a single. Chennai are 55/3 at the end of 10 overs.
10.1 : S Gopal to S Raina, SIX! A boundary of the first ball of the over once more! This seems to be a plan. A flighted leg spinner on middle, Raina goes down on one knee and lifts it over wide long on for a huge one!
10.2 : S Gopal to S Raina, Bowled quicker and full on middle, driven to long on for a single by the southpaw.
10.3 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Shortens the length to Dhoni, he pulls it away to deep square leg for a run.
10.4 : S Gopal to S Raina, Bowled fast and short at the pads of Raina, he makes room and flicks it away to mid-wicket for a run.
10.5 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, Bowled on the leg stump line, Dhoni paddle sweeps it fine on the leg side but short fine leg runs to his right and stops it at a single.
10.6 : S Gopal to S Raina, Another single to end the over. A six and 5 singles, 11 off the over. Easily done by the experienced duo out in the middle.
Jaydev Unadkat to bowl now.
11.1 : J Unadkat to S Raina, Short ball outside off, Raina upper cuts it and guides it to third man for a single.
11.2 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Length ball outside off, Dhoni pushes it to covers.
11.3 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, FOUR! This is in Dhoni's region. Changes line this time and bowls it on his legs, Dhoni pulls it to the on side and the ball rolls to the sqare leg fence for a boundary.
11.4 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Excellent running! Both of them are very swift between the wickets. Bowls it outside off, Dhoni moves across and flicks it to mid-wicket and completes a quick double.
11.5 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Length ball outside off, Dhoni guides it towards third man. Stokes from point runs to his left and tries to stop it but ends up down on his shoulders. Could have been an injury but he looks fine.
11.6 : J Unadkat to S Raina, FOUR! DEFT! Raina looks in form here. Unadkat strays on the legs, Raina shuffles across and plays it fine into the fence. 12 runs from the 12th over.
Ben Stokes is back on.
12.1 : Ben Stokes to MS Dhoni, Short of a length ball on middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single by Dhoni.
12.2 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, Run down to third man for a single by the lefty. Good rotation of strike, makes it difficult for the bowlers.
12.3 : Ben Stokes to MS Dhoni, Length ball on off, pushed to cover by Dhoni coming slightly ahead.
12.4 : Ben Stokes to MS Dhoni, Bouncer! Dhoni looks to pull it but the ball does not bounce as much as he expects and goes under the bat. Looks like the surface is also a sticky, sluggish one.
12.5 : Ben Stokes to MS Dhoni, Those famous wrists of Dhoni come into play as Dhoni opens the face of his bat to this length ball outside off and he plays it in the gap through point for a couple of runs.
12.6 : Ben Stokes to MS Dhoni, This time a short ball is turned away to fine leg for a single by MS. He will keep strike for the next over.
13.1 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Dhoni at his very best. Back of a length delivery outside off, Dhoni dances down the track and slaps it straight back past the bowler for a boundary.
13.2 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Bowls it short this time outside off, Dhoni guides it to third man for a single.
13.3 : J Unadkat to S Raina, Changes the angle for the southpaw and bowls it on off. Raina moves across and plays it fine but straight to the fielder. He has a shy at the striker's end as Raina was way out of his crease but the throw was not accurate and he misses to hit.
13.4 : J Unadkat to S Raina, OUT! Unadkat strikes! What a way to get Raina out. Bowls a scrambled seam ball. This one is a full ball and Raina tries to move away and play it over covers. He does not connect and misses completely and the ball rattles the stumps. That is a big wicket for Chennai as Raina was well set and the partnership was well built. Now, Rajasthan could capitalize on this opportunity and pick one or two more wickets here to stop the run scoring.
Dwayne Bravo walks out to bat next.
13.5 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, Length ball on off from around the wicket, defended watchfully back to the bowler by Dwayne Bravo.
13.6 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, Slower cutter outside off, kept out back to the bowler.
Strategic break - Rajasthan have wrested control back in their favour just when it looked like the partnership between Dhoni and Raina was taking Chennai out of jail. The hosts will now have to rebuild once more with the duo out in the middle. They do have a couple of more batsmen left in the line-up but their aim now will be to not lose any wickets at least for the next 2-3 overs. Meanwhile, the away side will hope for a wicket or two more which will certainly put them in the driver's seat here
14.1 : Ben Stokes to MS Dhoni, DROPPED! That was a tough, tough chance but was a chance nonetheless. A length ball outside off, Dhoni comes down the track and thrashes it but in the air towards cover. The ball goes at really fiery pace to cover. Krishnappa Gowtham there cannot hold on. Lucky for Dhoni and Chennai. A single is taken.
14.2 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, FOUR! Short of a length outside off, Bravo rocks back and using his Caribbean style lifts this one over the head of cover. Gowtham is once again teased as he jumps for the catch but cannot reach the ball. It runs away to the boundary.
14.3 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, Slower ball outside off, defended on the back foot.
14.4 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, Pushed to cover by Bravo on the front foot.
14.5 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, In the air... but safe. This one was on a length but stuck in the surface a bit before coming to the batsman. Bravo flicks it but was early into his shot. The ball flies wide of mid-wicket luckily for the batsman. 2 runs are taken.
14.6 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, FOUR! Caribbean Calypso on show here! On a length outside off, Dwayne Bravo uses those wrists and gets the ball over the head of point for a boundary. 11 off the over, a good one for Chennai.
15.1 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, On a length outside off, pushed to point by Dhoni and a single is taken. 100 up for the hosts! A loud cheer from the crowd as well.
15.2 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, From around the wicket and on middle, Bravo uses his wrists and places it through mid-wicket. 2 runs taken once more, good running!
15.3 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, Angled down to third man for another run by Bravo as he brings his skipper back on strike.
15.4 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Excellent running! A length ball outside off, cut away by Dhoni to the right of point. Couple of runs taken as the skipper forces Bravo to run back for the second.
15.5 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Quick single! MSD pushes this to cover and sets off for a run. Gowtham at cover picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Dhoni would have been in even if it was a direct hit.
15.6 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, Wide! Slower one gone wrong. Unadkat puts this down the leg side and the umpire penalises him.
J Unadkat to D Bravo, Cut away off the back foot by Bravo but a fingertip on it by Rahane at point means that only a single can be taken. Surely saved 3 runs there for his team.
Jofra Archer to bowl now.
16.1 : J Archer to D Bravo, Slower ball outside off, run down to third man for a single by Bravo.
16.2 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, FOUR! What a deft touch! On a length outside off and slower, Dhoni just chops it away in the gap between backward point and short third man for a boundary. Insane knowledge of where the fielders are exactly.
16.3 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Yorker on off, Dhoni can only push it back to the bowler as he tries to get under it.
16.4 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, A quick single as MSD pushes this length ball on off to cover.
16.5 : J Archer to D Bravo, A fuller length ball on off, Bravo gets under it and lifts in his his terrific Caribbean style over cover for only a single though as there is protection in the deep.
16.6 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Slower bouncer! Dhoni is completely deceived and lets the ball go in the end.
Dhawal Kulkarni is back on.
17.1 : D Kulkarni to D Bravo, Smart bowling here from Kulkarni. He sees Bravo moving across so bowls it on his body and cramps him for room. Bravo could only keep it down to the leg side and take a run.
17.2 : D Kulkarni to MS Dhoni, Excellent fielding! Bowls a short ball on leg, Dhoni rocks back and pulls it hard to the square leg region. Gowtham in the deep does well to stop it on his left and keep it down to two.
17.3 : D Kulkarni to MS Dhoni, Full toss way outside off, Dhoni leaves it alone. It has been wided.
D Kulkarni to MS Dhoni, No ball! Not for the front foot but for the height. The dew playing its part here. Dhawal bowls a full toss above the waist height outside off and Dhoni slaps it through covers and take a couple. Free Hit coming up...
D Kulkarni to MS Dhoni, SIX! The Free Hit goes for a maximum! A full toss outside off, Dhoni gets under it and smashes it over the covers for a biggie.
17.4 : D Kulkarni to MS Dhoni, Short ball on middle, Dhoni runs down the track and swats the ball to mid-wicket for a single. Moves to 49 now.
Looks like the ball has lost its shape and there is a change in store...
17.5 : D Kulkarni to D Bravo, FOUR! That is lucky for Chennai and Bravo. A length ball outside off, Bravo looks to cut it away but the ball takes the outside half and goes past the short third man fielder to his right. Once it beats him, there is no stopping that ball.
17.6 : D Kulkarni to D Bravo, SIX! What an over this has been! 24 off it in the end! A length ball outside off, Bravo lifts it over covers and deposits it way back into the crowd. Kulkarni after just conceding 13 runs in his first 3 overs, ends with figures of 4-0-37-1.
18.1 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, FOUR! 21st fifty for Dhoni in the Indian T20 League! Jofra bowls a full toss outside off, Dhoni opens the bat face and guides it past point for a boundary.
18.2 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Full ball on middle, Dhoni flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.
18.3 : J Archer to D Bravo, OUT! Bravo holes out! A shorter one from Archer, Dwayne looks to pull it away but the ball gets too big on him. The ball goes more high rather than far and Kulkarni at long on settles under the ball and takes an easy catch. Archer has been really good tonight, this is his second wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja walks in next.
18.4 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Slower ball this time and outside off, Dhoni pushes it to mid on for a single.
18.5 : J Archer to R Jadeja, Length ball outside off, Jadeja guides it to third man and gets off the mark.
18.6 : J Archer to MS Dhoni, Short ball outside off to end the over. Dhoni pushes it to covers and takes a run. 8 runs from the over. Archer finishes with excellent figures of 4-1-17-2.
Jaydev Unadkat to bowl the final over.
19.1 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Fuller one on middle, worked away to deep mid-wicket by Dhoni and a single is taken.
19.2 : J Unadkat to R Jadeja, SIX! What a shot! The flattest of all the sixes tonight for sure. Slower ball on middle, Jadeja walks down the track and smashes it right back over the bowler's head for a six. Straight as an arrow! That brings up the 150 for the hosts!
19.3 : J Unadkat to R Jadeja, Jadeja cannot get under this fuller length ball. He only manages to hit it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.4 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Wide! Unadkat gets under pressure and throws this really wide outside off. A wide is signalled.
J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, SIX! Short length ball, Dhoni waits for the ball and deposits it way over the deep square leg fence for a maximum. This is an extremely strong finish by Chennai and might be the difference in the end.
The ball seems to be lost in the empty stands once more and there is some time being wasted in trying to retrieve the ball.
19.5 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, SIX! Thala has gone mad and he has made the Chennai crowd go mad as well. A length ball outside off, nothing ball to be honest. Sitting up to be hit, Dhoni smashes it over long off for a really big six. 21 off the over so far.
19.6 : J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, Wide! The slower bouncer and the ball goes way over the head of Dhoni who just lets the ball go. It is given as a wide.
J Unadkat to MS Dhoni, SIX! What a finish this is! 28 off the over! A length ball outside off, Dhoni swings and connects. He gets this way over the long on boundary. The fielder there is a mere spectator. CHENNAI END WITH 175/5 and Dhoni ends with 75 not out! This is a brilliant comeback from Chennai as well as a really formidable score to defend.
A powerful end for Chennai after getting off to a shaky start, and it's all down to their leader and captain cool MS Dhoni. The people's champion, giving them what they want. 76 runs came in the final 5 overs and that should tell you all about how much MS Dhoni is still the MS Dhoni of old. Losing 3 wickets in the Powerplay, Raina and Dhoni steadied things up with a 50-run stand. The former departed but the skipper carried on. Put on two vital stands with Bravo and Jadeja, scoring his own fifty
Rajasthan will feel disappointed with how they fared in the death overs. They fared well for the most part of the innings, but just couldn't contain the run flow towards the fag end. Archer was the standout bowler, picking up 2/17 in his 4 overs. But, Unadkat and Kulkarni got taken for a lot of runs, conceding 28 and 24 in their respective final overs. Big task now lies ahead of the visiting side, but we've seen the dew already heavily coming into play. Will be interesting to see if the hosts ca
Jofra Archer is caught for a little chat. He feels that these conditions are the worst ones he has bowled in and the ball got ruined really fast as the seam got lost. He reckons that there is a lot of dew and it gets inside the ball very quickly. States that it comes onto the bat really well. When asked if he can train for conditions like these, he mentions that the one time they did was when they were in Bangladesh and does not remember any other place where the ball gets so wet.
0.0 : We are back for the run chase. Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler stride out to the middle. Deepak Chahar will be bowling the first over for Chennai. A slip in place for him. Let's see how it all unfolds...
0.1 : D Chahar to A Rahane, A length ball outside off, shaping away. It is defended well by Rahane after getting inside the line.
The umpire has gone upstairs. He just wants to check if Jadeja has taken the catch cleanly or not. The soft signal is out.
0.2 : D Chahar to A Rahane, OUT! Out flashes on the big screen and Rahane has to continue walking. That is a brilliant catch by Jadeja! Chennai strike on the second ball! A length ball outside off, Rahane looks to push coming a bit ahead but plays away from the body. The ball goes off the upper half of the bat and flies towards Jadeja at point. He dives forward full length and takes an excellent catch, keeping his fingers well under the ball. Rahane asks Jadeja whether that was taken cleanly and
Sanju Samson walks out at no.3.
0.3 : D Chahar to S Samson, Short length ball on middle, Samson looks to pull it but the ball gets the under edge and goes to the thigh pad.
The groundsmen are making their way to the middle with some sawdust. There is some issue that Chahar is having with the landing area.
0.4 : D Chahar to S Samson, On a length outside off, solid defense by Sanju coming ahead.
0.5 : D Chahar to S Samson, What a beauty! A length ball outside off and no shape on this one. Holds it's line. Samson looks to drive but fails to put bat on ball as he plays inside the line.
0.6 : D Chahar to S Samson, Slightly shortens the length, Samson defends off the back foot. A wicket maiden to start off with.
Shardul Thakur to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : S Thakur to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Buttler and Rajasthan are underway. Starts off with a length ball outside off, Buttler reaches for it and pushes it through the covers for a boundary.
1.2 : S Thakur to Jos Buttler, Full ball on off, Buttler punches it to covers and thinks of a run but then goes back.
1.3 : S Thakur to Jos Buttler, Well-fielded! Jadeja in the scene again. Buttler guides this length ball towards third man, Jadeja from point runs to his left and saves three for his side.
1.4 : S Thakur to S Samson, Samson pulls hard on this length ball but straight to the mid-wicket fielder.
Change of bat here for Samson. He seems to have cracked his bat courtesy the previous shot.
1.5 : S Thakur to S Samson, 2000 runs for Samson in the Indian T20 League! He gets there by pulling a short ball outside off towards the deep mid-wicket region. The fielder at mid-wicket runs behind and stops it just inside the ropes to keep it to two.
1.6 : S Thakur to S Samson, Full ball outside off, Samson guides it to point and keeps the strike for the next over. 8 runs from this over.
2.1 : D Chahar to S Samson, FOUR! Timing! This guy just oozes class. A length ball outside off, Samson just lazily lunges and times this beautifully through cover-point for a boundary. Elegance!
2.2 : D Chahar to S Samson, Flicked away for a single to deep square leg. Signs of a man in form, a single after a boundary. Very easily done.
2.3 : D Chahar to Jos Buttler, On the hips and the ball is pushed to mid-wicket by Buttler.
2.4 : D Chahar to Jos Buttler, Good short of a length ball outside off, kept out towards the bowler. This is good tight bowling, two dots after the boundary and a single.
2.5 : D Chahar to Jos Buttler, Quick single this time to mid off. On a length outside off, pushed by Buttler as he sets off immediately for a run.
The third umpire is being called for once more. Soft signal is out again. Looked perfectly out to the naked eye but Samson wants it to be rechecked and so do the umpires.
2.6 : D Chahar to S Samson, OUT! This is even more cleaner than the first one and is no doubt out. Another scorching catch from the Men in Yellow! Length ball outside off, Samson pushes at it away from the body and fails to keep it down. Suresh Raina at cover-point comes a bit ahead and takes a good tumbling catch. Samson waits for the confirmation of the cleanliness of the catch and the umpires take it upstairs. One replay is enough for the decision to be taken. Out it is. The in-form Sanju walk
3.1 : S Thakur to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! This time it's Buttler who has to depart. Rajasthan are losing the plot here. They are already three down. Buttler goes to flick this length to the leg side but he is a hint early into the shot and closes his bat face. The ball takes the leading edge and lobs up in the air. Bravo from mid off runs to his left and takes the catch easily.
0.0 : Steven Smith is the next batsman.
3.2 : S Thakur to R Tripathi, On a short length outside off, run down to third man for a single by Tripathi to get off the mark.
3.3 : S Thakur to S Smith, FOUR! What a way to start! Smith trying to get on top of the bowler and making his intentions clear straightaway. Short one on middle, pulled away for a boundary to deep square leg.
3.4 : S Thakur to S Smith, FOUR! Two in two! That is a bad ball and it gets the treatment it deserves. A fuller length ball on the pads, it is flicked away nonchalantly and the ball finds the rope at square leg once more.
3.5 : S Thakur to S Smith, On a length outside off, much better from Thakur. Smith defends it towards point.
3.6 : S Thakur to S Smith, Wide! Way outside off and shaping away. Smith goes after it but fails to put bat on ball. This one is wided by the umpire as it past the tram line.
S Thakur to S Smith, Short again to Smith, he mistimes his pull this time to mid on. That was a bad ball, Shardul was lucky to escape.
4.1 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, On a length and with some away movement around off, Tripathi punches it on the off side.
4.2 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, Taps this down in front of point to steal a brisk single but won't get that.
4.3 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, A little bit of width on offer outside off, slightly shorter in length. Tripathi cuts it to backward point.
4.4 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, Wide! Short and angling down leg, Tripathi lets it be. The umpire signals it as a wide.
D Chahar to R Tripathi, Good stop from Bravo at mid off. The batsman jumps out of the crease and drills it down the ground. Bravo moves to his right and dives to stop a certain boundary. The batsmen take one.
4.5 : D Chahar to S Smith, In the blockhole, angling in on middle and leg, Smith digs it out towards mid on and rushes to the other end.
4.6 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, Just ahead of a length, in line of the stumps, Rahul works it to the vacant mid-wicket area inside the ring and calls for a quick run. Gets it easily too.
Mitchell Santner will have a go with the ball.
5.1 : M Santner to R Tripathi, FOUR! Welcomes Santner with a boundary. A juicy full toss on the stumps, Tripathi accepts that with a smile and dispatches it over mid-wicket. Nobody out there in the deep, so the batsman will get a boundary.
5.2 : M Santner to R Tripathi, Quicker and fuller on pads, it is defended out well.
5.3 : M Santner to R Tripathi, No ball and FOUR! The dew showing its effect again. High full toss outside off, Tripathi cuts it down to third man and finds the fence. Free Hit coming up...
M Santner to R Tripathi, SIX! Makes full use of the opportunity. It's tossed right up there, in the slot for Rahul Tripathi who absolutely puts this away. He clears his front leg and smokes it straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum.
5.4 : M Santner to R Tripathi, Sliding in on leg stump, nudged to square leg for a single.
5.5 : M Santner to S Smith, Full and outside off, driven to the covers.
5.6 : M Santner to S Smith, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. 17 off this over, a big one for the visitors. They are 45/3 at the end of the Powerplay, compared to Chennai's 29/3.
6.1 : D Chahar to S Smith, A little too straight in line, Smith works it off his pads behind square leg for a single.
6.2 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, Skidding off the surface as it's landed on a length on middle and off, Rahul clips it through backward square leg and gets to the other end.
6.3 : D Chahar to S Smith, Works this square on the leg side and takes another run.
6.4 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, In the air but safe! Short ball which climbs onto the batsman. Tripathi takes the pull on and it goes off the top edge. Falls safely in the square leg region as the batsmen cross over.
6.5 : D Chahar to S Smith, In the channel outside off, on a good length, it's punched through to sweeper cover for one.
6.6 : D Chahar to R Tripathi, FOUR! Ends the over in fine style. Short ball which is angling in on leg, Tripathi moves inside the line and helps the pull across the fine leg fence for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja into the attack now.
7.1 : R Jadeja to S Smith, Full and fired outside off, driven to sweeper cover for a single.
7.2 : R Jadeja to R Tripathi, FOUR! The placement is immaculate from Rahul Tripathi. Beautiful timing. There's some pace on this as it's pitched full, Tripathi drives it through the gap in the covers. Jadhav out in the deep runs to his right and dives, gets a hand to it but he still can't keep it from the rope.
7.3 : R Jadeja to R Tripathi, Goes through the same region, the covers, but gets just a single this time.
7.4 : R Jadeja to S Smith, A bit slower through the air, full around off, Smith eases it to the left of the bowler and finds long off. Single to the total.
7.5 : R Jadeja to R Tripathi, Sliding in on middle and leg, shorter in length, it's blocked back down the track off the back foot.
7.6 : R Jadeja to R Tripathi, Short and wide outside off, cut through point for two. Another good over for Rajasthan, 9 runs have come off it. 113 still needed off 72.
Mitchell Santner back on.
8.1 : M Santner to S Smith, Short and sliding in on leg, Smith goes deep inside the crease and works it with the angle to backward square leg. Gets off strike with a run.
8.2 : M Santner to R Tripathi,In the air but in the gap. Tossed up outside off, Tripathi drives it uppishly well wide of the cover fielder. Comes back for the second as the man in the deep collects.
8.3 : M Santner to R Tripathi, FOUR! Shot. The execution on this shot is spot on. Had no margin for error and he hits it with perfection. Loopy and full on off, Tripathi opens his body up and lofts it over the leaping cover fielder to find the fence.
8.4 : M Santner to R Tripathi, Width offered outside off, cut down to short third man for a quick one.
8.5 : M Santner to S Smith, Pace on offer outside off, pushed firmly wide of the cover fielder for a run.
8.6 : M Santner to R Tripathi, Played off the outer half as the ball spins away late. Straight to the short third man on a couple of bounces. 9 off this one too.
Strategic break. Imran Tahir is brought on to roll him arm over.
A stumping appeal against Steven Smith is referred upstairs. Dhoni doesn't seem too interested though. Let's see...
9.1 : I Tahir to S Smith, Not out! Smith is safe but what a delivery from Tahir to start things off. Lands it on off, there's some nice shape in before it turns away. Beats the outside edge of the bat and Dhoni is lightning quick to take the bails off, as always. He isn't keen, but Smith's leg did come off for a second. So it's referred upstairs. Replays show Smith survives.
9.2 : I Tahir to S Smith, Full on off, it is kept out off the front foot.
9.3 : I Tahir to S Smith, On the fuller side of things, outside off, drilled through the gap in the covers for a run.
9.4 : I Tahir to R Tripathi, Aerially hits it down to long on. Falls well short of the fielder there as the batsmen cross over.
9.5 : I Tahir to S Smith, Tossed right up there, driven down to long on again for a single.
9.6 : I Tahir to R Tripathi, OUT! GONE! Tahir strikes and he gets rid of the dangerous Tripathi. This is huge for Chennai. It's the leg break, full on off, spins away as Tripathi comes forward. Isn't quite to the pitch of it and ends up handing a catch back to Tahir who takes it sharply. Rahul isn't happy with himself at all, he feels he should have done better on that. This could allow Chennai to claw their way back into the game. Partnership of 61 comes to a close.
Ben Stokes walks into the middle next. Meanwhile, Dwayne Bravo is brought onto bowl now.
10.1 : D Bravo to S Smith, Angling back in on middle and leg, worked behind square on the leg side for a single.
10.2 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, Full and well outside off, Stokes gets off the mark by reaching out and driving it through the covers for a single.
10.3 : D Bravo to S Smith, A low dipping full toss from Bravo, on middle and leg, Steven Smith works it off the pads in front of square leg.
10.4 : D Bravo to S Smith, Excellent yorker and equally well played by the Australian. Fired on middle, Smith somehow gets his feet out of the way and digs it out square on the leg side. One run added to the total.
10.5 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, Little ahead of a length, on off, Stokes meets it with the full face of the bat.
10.6 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, Too straight in line, allows Stokes to clip this through backward square leg and come back for the second. 96 required off 54 for Rajasthan to win this game.
11.1 : I Tahir to S Smith, Smith takes it on the full and whips it to long on. Rotates strike without much trouble.
11.2 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, Leans forward to this fuller length ball and eases it through to long off for a run.
11.3 : I Tahir to S Smith, Drifting in on middle and leg, full in length, drilled to wide long on for two.
11.4 : I Tahir to S Smith, The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
11.5 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, Short, flat and turning in on middle and leg, Stokes uses the depth of the crease to go back and wrist it through mid-wicket to get off strike.
11.6 : I Tahir to S Smith, Steven clears his front leg as Tahir darts it full on leg and digs it out towards mid-wicket. Single to end the over and he'll keep strike with that.
Another change of balls. The dew is making it really tough for the bowlers as the ball is getting damaged far too quickly.
12.1 : D Bravo to S Smith, Wide! Bravo bowls this down the leg side. Smith looks to flick but misses. Dhoni collects and appeals but the umpire signals it as a wide.
D Bravo to S Smith, Wide! Slower one gone wrong, Bravo bowls it down the leg side again. This time, it is really wide.
D Bravo to S Smith, Short outside off, cut away for a single to deep third man by Smith.
12.2 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, Outside off from around the wicket to the lefty, run down to third man by Stokes for a run.
12.3 : D Bravo to S Smith, Missed out there! A length ball wide outside off, Smith looks to cut but fails to put bat on ball. Lets out a scream after missing out.
12.4 : D Bravo to S Smith, Slower ball on off, well read by Steven who drives it along the ground to long on for a single.
12.5 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, Really full and on middle, worked away by Ben Stokes for a single to deep mid-wicket. No boundary so far in this over, Chennai will be happy.
12.6 : D Bravo to S Smith, A length ball outside off and cutting into the right-hander. Stokes fails to put bat on ball once more. A decent over from Bravo, despite the two wides, comes to end. Just 6 off it.
13.1 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, Googly on a shorter length outside off, flat-batted down the ground to long off for a run by Stokes.
13.2 : I Tahir to S Smith, OUT! Smith is heading back and the Tahir train is off on its way once more. A flighted ball, Smith comes down the track and takes it on the full. The ball hits the bottom part of the bat and hence there is no power. It goes to Dhruv Shorey who is a substitute fielder. He takes an easy catch. This is a huge wicket and the Chennai crowd know the value of it.
Krishnappa Gowtham walks in at number 7.
13.3 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, Flighted ball on middle, pushed to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs by Stokes.
13.4 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, Bowled on a quick pace outside off, driven to cover by Stokes.
13.5 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, On the pads, run down to fine leg by Ben. A quick run is taken.
13.6 : I Tahir to K Gowtham, Flatter one on middle, Gowtham can only push it back to the bowler. End of another exceptional Tahir over. 4 runs and a wicket off it in the end.
Ravindra Jadeja is back on.
14.1 : R Jadeja to Ben Stokes, In the air... but lands where there is no one. Jadeja bowls this flat on middle, Stokes pulls it away but fails to time it well. The ball goes in the gap over mid-wicket and two runs are taken.
14.2 : R Jadeja to Ben Stokes, Flicked away off the pads through the same region as the first ball, this time all along the ground. Another couple of runs are taken.
14.3 : R Jadeja to Ben Stokes, SIX! That is a true connection and Stokes needs many more of these. A flatter one on middle, Ben gets on his knees and launches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. The fielder there was interested for a bit but then watched the ball sail over his head.
14.4 : R Jadeja to Ben Stokes, Quicker one aimed at the pads, pushed by Stokes towards the left of the bowler for a single.
14.5 : R Jadeja to K Gowtham, Clipped away by Gowtham off the middle stump line for a single to deep mid-wicket.
14.6 : R Jadeja to Ben Stokes, Flatter one on the pads, Stokes manages to find the gap in this huge ground towards mid-wicket once more. Two runs are taken.
Strategic Break - The hosts are surely ahead in the game but Rajasthan are not yet out of it. As long as Ben Stokes is out there, anything can happen especially with the ball being really wet. Tahir has a single over left and that is important in the scheme of things. An exciting last 5 overs left here!
15.1 : I Tahir to K Gowtham, SIX! Gowtham tonks Tahir for a maximum on the first ball after the break. A googly on middle, Krishnappa reads that one and comes down the track before depositing it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.
15.2 : I Tahir to K Gowtham, Beaten by the turn this time! A flighted ball outside off and Gowtham goes for the slog once more but fails to put bat on ball as the turn takes it away from the batsman.
15.3 : I Tahir to K Gowtham, Flatter one on the pads, Gowtham misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball goes towards the leg side where Dhoni goes after it immediately and stops the ball.
15.4 : I Tahir to K Gowtham, Overthrow conceded! Unnecessary from the hosts. A really flat one on middle, Gowtham looks to flick but misses once more. The ball goes off the pads and towards the short third man fielder who throws the ball when it was not needed. An overthrow is taken.
15.5 : I Tahir to Ben Stokes, Full toss on the off stump line, pushed along the ground to long off for a single by Stokes.
15.6 : I Tahir to K Gowtham, Gowtham dances down the track and pushes it down the ground for a single. Stokes was out of his crease there and if Tahir had got the ball in his hand well and onto the stumps, he could have run out the Englishman at the bowler's end. Nevertheless, that is the end of an insane spell from the leggie, 4-0-23-2 are his figures.
Shardul Thakur is called back into the attack.
16.1 : S Thakur to K Gowtham, OUT! Thakur strikes and another nail in the coffin of Rajasthan. A length ball outside off, the idea was right from Gowtham to go over mid off who was in the circle but the execution was not right out there. The bat turns in his hand and the ball flies towards cover. Raina there makes no mistake and completes the catch. Things not looking good for the away side, they need 56 runs off 23 balls now.
0.0 : Jofra Archer walks out to bat next.
16.2 : S Thakur to J Archer, FOUR! That is some kind of a start for Archer. A length ball wide outside off, cut away wide of point and to the right of third man for a boundary.
16.3 : S Thakur to J Archer, Good bouncer! Archer manages to fend it towards the leg side and gets to the other end, bringing Stokes on strike.
16.4 : S Thakur to Ben Stokes, On a length outside off, driven to deep cover for a single by Stokes.
16.5 : S Thakur to J Archer, Peach! A length ball outside off and it holds its line. Archer looks to push it towards the off side but fails to put bat on ball. Ends up getting beaten.
16.6 : S Thakur to J Archer, SIX! That is a beautiful strike! A length ball on middle, Jofra Archer lifts it over long on to spoil what was a good over from Thakur until that point. 44 off 18 is the equation now.
Dwayne Bravo to bowl now.
17.1 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, SIX! That is the brute power of Stokes. A length ball outside off, Stokes stands tall and gets it over the rope at wide long off. That is the perfect start for Rajasthan to this over.
17.2 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, FOUR! That is smart stuff from big, burly Ben. A length ball from around the wicket, Stokes gets inside the line and paddles it over fine leg for a boundary. 10 runs off the first two balls.
17.3 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, Slower ball from over the wicket, Stokes hits it to cover and runs to the other end. Raina at cover makes a good stop and prevents the second from being taken.
17.4 : D Bravo to J Archer, Full toss on the pads, flicked away well by Archer through square leg for a couple of runs. 13 off the first 4 balls, how many off the next 2?
17.5 : D Bravo to J Archer, SIX! That is into the stands! The Archer show is starting to trouble the Chennai crowd here. A fuller length ball on middle, lifted by Jofra way back into the long on stands. 92 meters!
17.6 : D Bravo to J Archer, Good yorker to end the over. Off the pads, Dhoni runs to the ball and stops it well, preventing any run. 19 runs off the over though. 25 needed off 12 balls now.
Another change of ball. The dew here is insane and the ball has to be changed as the water has got into it and lost its shape once more!
18.1 : S Thakur to Ben Stokes, A good ball from Thakur to start the over! On the pads from around the wicket, Stokes comes down the ground and looks to lift it over long on but fails to put bat on ball. It goes off the pad towards the off side and a leg bye is stolen.
18.2 : S Thakur to J Archer, Good running! On a fuller length outside off, Archer swings across the line but gets the outside edge and the ball flies on a couple of bounces towards third man. Two runs are taken. Excellent running but not such good fielding.
18.3 : S Thakur to J Archer, Slower ball on middle, Archer mistimes the pull. The bottom edge goes to the leg side for a single.
18.4 : S Thakur to Ben Stokes, SIX! One-handed sixer and the Chennai crowd has its hands on its heads. A length ball at the body of Stokes. He goes deep in the crease and lifts it over deep square leg for a maximum. Ben's right hand came off the bat during the shot and that is what makes it even more special. 15 off 8 now.
Change of gloves for Stokes. The dew not only affecting the ball, but the batsman and his gear as well.
18.5 : S Thakur to Ben Stokes, Full toss low on the off side, Stokes pushes it in the gap through point for a couple of runs.
18.6 : S Thakur to Ben Stokes, Short of a length on middle, pulled away for a single to deep mid-wicket. Stokes will keep strike for the last over.
11 runs to defend in the last over. Dwayne Bravo to bowl it. His captain has a small discussion with him on where the fielders must be placed.
19.1 : D Bravo to Ben Stokes, OUT! Is that the game? Is that the game? Bravo, the man for all seasons does it yet again! A fuller length ball outside off, almost yorker length. Stokes goes deep in the crease, tries to lift it over cover. He does not get the elevation though and the ball goes straight to Raina who pouches it safely. The Chennai crowd has come alive once again!
Shreyas Gopal walks into a tense situation. Rajasthan need 11 runs to win off 5 balls.
19.2 : D Bravo to S Gopal, Short of a length ball, Gopal goes back and looks to cut the ball but fails to put bat on ball. Huge roars from the crowd and huge pressure on the batsman.
19.3 : D Bravo to S Gopal, Slower bouncer on middle, Gopal is past his shot even before the ball arrives. He misses it and gets hit on the shoulder. The batsmen steal a leg bye as the ball runs towards short third man.
A discussion between Dhoni and Bravo once more regarding the field placement for Archer.
19.4 : D Bravo to J Archer, Misses out! That one was a half-volley outside off, Archer looks to hit it over cover but fails to hit it well. He seems to have broken his bat as well in the process. A single taken to cover.
19.5 : D Bravo to S Gopal, OUT! Tahir settles under the ball, takes it and starts running! This game is all but over! A length ball on off, slower in pace. Gopal goes for the swing over mid-wicket but fails to hit it well. The ball flies off the leading edge and goes towards third man where Tahir is there and takes a good catch.
Jaydev Unadkat walks out to bat next.
19.6 : D Bravo to J Archer, That is it! CHENNAI WIN BY 8 RUNS and continue their winning streak! Bravo yet again proves why he is one of the best going around. Defending 11 runs in the final over, he has just conceded 3 and taken his team over the line. Coming to the final ball, it was a pacy delivery on middle, skid on after landing. Archer looks to pull but is late. The ball goes towards cover. A single is taken but Raina does not care. The people in the stands all go up in unison.
Another humdinger involving Chennai. No surprise there, eh? This went right down to the wire, well almost, but the hosts came out on top. Their experience showed in the death overs which helped them bag another win under their belt. Rajasthan were rocked early after losing their top order in the Powerplay itself, but then Smith and Tripathi took things under their control before they started to motor along. The latter's wicket saw the former also depart quickly and that dented the visitors' mome
When all seemed lost, Stokes kept the fight going and eventually, found an able partner in Archer. Their 44-run stand almost got the job done, but Bravo's amazing final over, where he had to defend 11, turned the game on its head. Got Stokes off the very first ball and didn't let anything leak after that. It proved to be too much for Archer alone to conquer.
Chennai once again doing the business. There are players with age probably not on their side, but with age, come experience, maturity and the calm to weather out the tense situations. First, captain Dhoni led the charge in the death overs, powering his side to 175 with Raina and Bravo's help. And then, the home side's bowlers played their part. Barring Santner and Jadeja, everyone picked up two wickets each. It was a collective performance, something which they will be most proud of.
Ajinkya Rahane, the Rajasthan skipper, says that he is very disappointed with the way they bowled in the last five overs. Despite Dhoni being known as a great finisher, Rahane feels that they needed to bowl to the plan and not give so many runs away in the end. He reckons that with the conditions being the way they were, even 175 was chaseable. Mentions that the conditions cannot be blamed and he praises the Chennai bowlers for bowling well. Feels that his team needs to step up together and win
Imran Tahir, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, says that he is feeling pretty good. He states that he was trying to use his experience while bowling in the tough conditions. Laughs when asked if he has nerves trying to take a catch and says that every catch is a pressure one. Mentions that he does not take anything for granted and always strives to give his best for the team.
MS Dhoni, the victorious Chennai skipper is also the Man of the Match in tonight's game for his 75 not out off 46 balls. He says that he wanted to get a partnership going when he came out to bat, recognized that should take it deep with the dew coming in and also knowing that they are batting long, especially with Santner coming into the side. He states that they are comfortable with the playing eleven and there is no need for change when they keep performing. He hopes that the batsmen keep play
So then, we come to the end of Super Sunday. The second weekend of the Indian T20 League is done and dusted. Only one team remains unbeaten at the end of it, no prizes for guessing, it is Chennai. The action though rolls on in the League. We head to the north of the country on Monday to see Punjab hosting Delhi at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Join us for the coverage of the same. Till then, take care and have a good night. Cheers!