In the current season of the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals put on a complete performance with both bat and ball to defeat Chennai Super Kings, for the second time this season. Batting first, the Royals scored 202 runs, which seemed above average thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s outstanding performance. With the bat, CSK struggled to maintain the needed pace, ultimately falling short by 32 runs. However, Adam Zampa made a successful comeback to the XI by taking three crucial wickets, and R Ashwin contributed with two.
The powerplay opposition
Jos Buttler rarely has someone else steal his thunder while he is still batting in the middle of the order. But with Buttler taking a backseat, Jaiswal put on a show in the powerplay to astound the guests. As Royals sped to 42 in the first three overs, the young batsman smashed three fours off the opening four balls of the game and then faced Akash Singh again for three fours and a six. The assault persisted, and the home team eventually scored 64 goals while having a power play. On the other side, when CSK came out to bat on the powerplay, they had trouble putting the ball away. Devon Conway had a nightmare performance because they only made 13 runs in the first three overs, compared to RR’s 42. Even with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s assistance, CSK only managed 42 runs, with Adam Zampa putting an end to Conway’s suffering with the last ball of the powerplay.
Jaiswal keeps having a good time
Ravindra Jadeja’s answer to MS Dhoni’s turn to him after the powerplay was a sensational switch shot that went all the way. He reached fifty in just 26 balls and kept hitting the boundaries despite losing Buttler to Jadeja at the other end. Royals had 125 on the board after 13 overs until Tushar Deshpande took two wickets in one over to bring them back. When Sanju Samson and Jaiswal mistimed their shots as CSK tried to apply the squeeze at the end.
Did they make it?
In no way. The two risky batters may have been out, but Dhruv Jurel, the Royals’ new hero, once again held tall. Shimron Hetmyer was unable to shoot, but Jurel partnered with Devdutt Padikkal at the very end to secure crucial runs. Deshpande was destroyed for 16 runs in the penultimate over as the Royals achieved the highest total ever at this location in the history of the competition. Matheesha Pathirana wasn’t all that dreadful, but he still let runs slip at the end.
What happened to CSK after the powerplay?
The conflicts persisted. And to make matters worse, wickets fell like flies this time. Gaikwad, who scored most of the runs in the first ten overs, made a terrible timing error and was out for 47. In the very next over, Ajinkya Rahane’s attempt to clear Ashwin was intercepted by the fielder at long-on. As CSK lost three wickets in the span of nine deliveries, Ambati Rayudu was also dismissed by Ashwin two balls later, giving Royals control of the match.
A fightback occurred at any point?
Shivam Dube was expected to wreak havoc in the middle overs as the strain grew. With a few smashes outside the boundary ropes, the designated spin hitter was able to free himself of his restrictions, and he received assistance from Moeen Ali. The pair’s 51-run partnership in just 24 balls gave CSK new life, but the visitors needed the attack to go on in order to stay in the game. That most definitely wasn’t the case, as Sandeep Sharma came back at the very last moment and bowled two excellent overs to prevent the batting side from scoring runs. Dube was able to score fifty, but CSK ultimately fell well short.
What will these two sides do next?
After losing their last two games, the Royals really needed this victory. When they face the under-fire group on Sunday night in Mumbai, they will be a lot more confident. On their home turf, CSK will host Punjab Kings on the same day in a match they hope to win.
