The Free Press Journal

ROYALS DROWN IN CSK’S ALL-ROUND DEPTH

Batsmen, spinners and fast bowlers give three-time champions a comfortabl­e 45-run victory against Sanju Samson’s side

- FPJ NEWS SERVICE Mumbai

The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali tor mented the Rajasthan Royals batting line-up to ensure a second consecutiv­e win for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL here on Monday.

Cameos from Faf du Plessis (33 off 17), Dwayne Bravo (20 not out of f 8), Ambati Raydu (27 of f 17) and Ali (26 of f 20) helped CSK post 188 for nine after being put in to bat.

Royals made a promising start in the run chase courtesy Jos Buttler (49 off 35) before the batsmen succumbed to the spinners on the Wankhede pitch which offered more tur n than earlier games. CSK won the game by 45 runs after Royals' innings ended at 143 for nine.

Ali (3/7 in 3 overs) picked up three wickets in quick succession to ef fectively seal the game for his team after Jadeja (2/28 in 4) provided the crucial breakthrou­gh by castling Buttler with a classical away tur ning delivery. One of the best fielders around, Jadeja also took four catches.

It was another emphatic win for CSK after they outplayed Punjab Kings while Royals suffered their second loss in three games.

Earlier, CSK lost wickets towards the end with the batsmen going for big hits and also in the face of some good bowling by Royals.

Bravo smashed a huge six of f the last ball of the innings from Mustafizur Rahman (1/37) to ensure the Super Kings got close to 190.

Du Plessis top scored with 33 as the CSK batsmen got starts but couldn't capitalise on them after.

Young Chetan Sakariya (3/36 from 4) was the best bowler for Rajasthan while Chris Morris finished with 2/33 despite conceding 15 runs in his final over.

M S Dhoni, in his 200th match as CSK captain, came in to bat at No.7 but could not get going as quickly as he would have liked. He, however, managed two boundaries in his 17-ball 18 before being beat

en by an of f-cutter Sakariya only to give catch to Jos Buttler.

He survived a run-out chance and a few anxious moments in his brief knock.

Rayudu and Suresh Raina (18, 15 balls, 1 four, 1 six) added 45 runs in quick time for the fourth wicket before the for mer perished going for an attacking shot on the of f-side of f Sakariya.

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Sakariya struck again a few balls later, getting Raina to hit one straight to Morris at mid-off as CSK slipped to 125 for fice in the 15th over.

Rayudu hit sixes off successive deliveries in Tewatia's second over, scoring 14 runs as he and Raina attempted to take advantage of the fifth and sixth bowlers (Tewatia and Riyan Parag) employed by Royals skipper Samson.

Tewatia had begun well by conceding only five runs in his opening over and got ride of Moeen Ali (26 of f 20).

Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad's struggles continued as his attempt to hit his way out saw him miscue a pull only to see it lob to Shivam Dube off Rahman. He fell for 10 (13 balls, 1 four) after adding 25 runs for the first wicket with fellow opener du Plessis.

The South African showed intent and waded into Jaydev Unadkat in the fifth over, hammering three fours and one six before an ambitious shot brought his downfall of f Morris' bowling.

 ?? — ANI Photo/IPL ?? Sam Curran of Chennai Super Kings celebrates the wicket of Sanju Samson at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.
— ANI Photo/IPL Sam Curran of Chennai Super Kings celebrates the wicket of Sanju Samson at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.

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