IPL 2020 CSK vs RR: Jos Buttler and Steven Smith get the job done for Rajasthan after a hard-fought battle with the Super Kings
Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 7 wickets after Jos Buttler‘s 11th IPL fifty. The game was a low scoring one after wild entertaining games on Sunday.
MS Dhoni‘s landmark 200th game in the Indian Premier League did not go as planned for CSK who faced a batting order collapse in Abu Dhabi. CSK won the toss and opted to bat first but lost key wickets at key intervals of the game. Sam Curran played a good knock of 22 runs with one six and one four. The consistent players of CSK, Shane Watson, and Faf du Plessis lost their wicket in the powerplay itself and were 26/2 after the fourth over.
RR spinners kept picking up the crucial wickets at key moments of the match. As a result of which CSK batting collapsed for just 125/5 after the end of 20 overs. MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja batted through the middle overs scoring at slow run rate after Dhoni was runout trying to steal a single off a misfield. Jadeja made 35 runs which was the highest for CSK.
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Rajasthan Royals survive a scare chasing 126 runs
RR had a wonderful opportunity to rise up in the points table after the bowlers restricting CSK to just 125 runs. Ben Stokes and Robin Uthappa once again opened the batting for RR. The duo made quick 26 runs in the first three overs but struggled to face Deepak Chahar and Josh Hazlewood‘s swing bowling. Stokes made 19 runs in 11 balls and was bowled by Chahar, while Uthappa gave his wicket to Hazlewood.
Sanju Samson departed for yet another duck in IPL 2020 after MS Dhoni took a brilliant catch diving to his left. RR were reduced to 28/3 in the powerplay with skipper Steven Smith and Jos Buttler on the crease. Smith was given out LBW and was walking back, but decided to review the decision soon after.
Buttler played his strokes freely and piled up 70 runs in 48 balls. Smith decided the hold the innings from the other end as RR chased CSK target without any difficulty with 15 balls to spare. Buttler was the man of the match for his unbeaten 70 runs innings.
With this defeat, CSK are at the bottom of the IPL 2020 points table with 7 defeats in 10 games and just 3 wins. The road to playoffs will now be even tougher for CSK who will play four games in the tournament. RR on the other hand pick themselves up to move to 5th position with 4 wins and 6 losses.
Rishabh Tripathi
(170 Articles Published)