Jos Buttler’s magnificent 95 off 60 balls kept the Rajasthan Royals’ playoff hopes alive as they chased the Chennai Super Kings’ 177-run target to claim a four-wicket win.
The Rajasthan Royals’ chase was dominated by an incredible knock from Buttler. The England wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 11 fours and two sixes to seal a four-wicket victory with one ball remaining.
It was a heroic knock by Buttler, who opened the batting for RR and survived the entire innings, supported only by 21 from Sanju Samson and 22 from Stuart Binny.
The hosts needed 12 runs off the last over. Buttler scored nought, two, two, six and two to seal a victory for his side.
It started with the Chennai Super Kings winning the toss and electing to bat.
Their innings was highlighted by a second-wicket partnership between Shane Watson and Suresh Raina. The pair struck 86, taking their side past the 100-run mark after the loss of Ambati Rayudu for 12.
Watson lost his wicket on 39 off 31 balls (two sixes and two fours) but Raina went on to reach his half-century. He lost his wicket after a well-played 52 off 35 balls, with six fours and a six, and his side were reduced to 119-3.
MS Dhoni sparked CSK’s recovery by stringing 55 together with Sam Billings (27 off 22 balls), before the latter was sent back to the stands with his side on 174-4. Dhoni contributed one four and a six for his 23-ball 33 as CSK posted 176-4.
Buttler’s heroics won RR two points against the side who are second on the log, keeping their playoff spot alive as they draw level with the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians on 10 points.
Photo by: Rahul Gulati /SPORTZPICS for BCCI
