The Chennai Super Kings snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when they beat the Rajasthan Royals by four wickets to solidify their spot at the top of the IPL table.
Having won the toss and electing to field first, the Super Kings restricted the Royals to a mediocre 151-7 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The visitors went on to clinch a dramatic four-wicket victory when Mitchell Santner (10) smashed a match-winning six off the final delivery of the innings.
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Not much happened with the bat for the Royals as the English pair of Ben Stokes (28) and Jos Buttler (23) top-scored for the home side. Ravindra Jadeja (2-20) was the pick of the Chennai bowlers. while South African Imran Tahir remained wicketless on the night.
Shreyas Gopal added 19 runs off just seven deliveries after smashing Shardul Thakur (2-44) for 18 runs in the final over of the first innings.
The Royals continued their positive momentum by picking up four quick wickets in the powerplay, including that of Proteas captain Faf du Plessis for just seven off 10 balls. Things picked up when Ambati Rayudu (57) and MS Dhoni shared a 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take the Super Kings close to victory.
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Dhoni was unfortunate to lose his wicket in the final over, but had already contributed 58 (43 balls, 2×4, 3×6) before Stokes (2-39) rearranged his furniture. He eventually walked away with the Player of the Match award once Santner took the visitors over the line.
Photo: Arjun Singh/SPORTZPICS/BCCI
