IPL 2018, RR vs CSK: Jos Buttler heroics help RR upset CSK by 4 wickets

Jaipur: Jos Buttler played on of the sensational knock of his Indian Premier League career as he guided Rajasthan Royals to shock 4 wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at Sawai Man Singh Stadium on Friday. The England Wicket-keeper batsman scored 95 of 60 balls to guide his team to victory.

Chasing 147 runs to win Rajasthan Royals got of to blazing start thanks to Buttler . Ben Stokes who opened the innings for the first time in his career, once again failed  to fire as he was clean bowled by Harbhajan Singh for 11 runs. The openers put on 48 run stand with Buttler scoring the bulk of the runs.

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s innings was short lives as he edged Jadeja’s delivery to Suresh Raina at first slip. Buttler was then joined by Sanju Samson to revive the required rate has gone over 10, and Rajasthan Royals fortune depends on Buttler who is playing really well.

His wicket here and CSK could cruise home RR  innings. The 46 run stand between the two was finally brought to an end as terrible mix-up between both the batsman resulted in Samson getting run out for 21 runs.

Suart Binny then provided support to Buttler as RR tries to get closer to target in the last five overs. With Binny dismissed the onus was on the the England wicket keeper to steer the team to victory.

RR came back in the matchin the 19^th over as CSK pacer David Willey was hit for 16 runs with two huge sixes by K Gowthamn to close down the equation.

With 12 needed of the final and Buttler at the crease RR sniffed chance for victory and in the end the England international managed to hit the winning runs for the side.

The required rate has gone over 10, and Rajasthan Royals fortune depends on Buttler who is playing really well.His wicket will be crucial for CSK to win the match.

RR 177-6 after 19.5 overs:

WICKET! Shardul thakur dismisses RR debutant Prashant Chopra caught by  Dwayne Bravo at short mid-wicket for 8 runs

RR 88-2 after 10 overs:

After brilliant start in the powerplay, the boundaries seemed to have dried up as CSK bowlers make a good comeback.

RR 55-2 after 5 overs:

After explosive start by Buttler, RR has lost two quick wickets. Is this the start of CSK comeback.

WICKET! Rajasthan lose their second batsman and its skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Jadeja gets the ball to turn as Rahane edges one to slip where Raina takes an easy catch.

WICKET! Harbhajan Singh strikes and its Ben Stokes who is clean bowled. This has been a tournament to forget for the England all-rounder. ANother failure as he scores just 11 runs.

Rajasthan Royals Innings

Chennai Super Kings innings

CSK 176-4 after 20 overs: Suresh Raina scored a fine half century (52 runs of 35 balls) as Chennai Super Kings reached 176-4 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Man Singh Stadium on Friday.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, CSK made a decent start to the innings as Ambati Rayadu was quick to get of the blocks , but his inngs was short lived as Jofra Archer clean bowled him for just 12 runs.

Suresh Raina and Shane Watson then took over the mantle and went after RR bowlers especially Raina who looked in good touch. Both the batsman put on 86 run stand before Shane Watson was dismissed by Jofra Archer. Raina then went onto complete his half century before falling to Ish Sodhi for 52 runs.

CSK skipper MS Dhoni and Sam Billings looked to increase the run rate, as they took on RR bowlers as both of them put on 55 run stand before Billings was run –out in the second last ball of the final over.

The target looks small and achievable, but with the kind of bowlers  CSK have in their ranks, the small total looks to be challenging. With Rajasthan Royals be able to chase the target?

CSK 127-3 after 15 overs:

RR bowlers have just managed to pull things back with wickets of Shane Watson and Suresh Raina, but will be avoid onslaught in the final 5 overs or leak runs with Dhoni and Billings at crease.

CSK 119-3 after 13 overs:

WICKET! The final ball of the 13th over and New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi has dismissed Suresh Raina, who was looking dangerous and was in for a big knock. What a wicket for  the Royals

WICKET! This is a big one and Jofra Archer has got his second wicket. Shane Watson is dismissed for 39 runs. Short ball from the bowler and Watson goes for pull only to find edge and into the hands of Jos Buttler.

CSK 90-1 after 10 overs:

With no furthur loss of wickets CSK are cruising towards a huge total with plenty of batting to come.

CSK 49-1 after 5 overs:

Inspite of strong start, CSK have lost their in-form batsman Ambati Rayadu, who was clean bowled by Jofra Archer for just 12 runs. Rajasthan bowlers have had not been bowling well so far as runs are being scored thick and fast. Will RR make comeback in the match.

CSK 19-1 after 2.1 overs:

WICKET! This is a huge breakthrough, Ambati Rayadu is clean bowled by Jofra  Archer. The batsman drags the ball back onto the stumps.

Toss: Chennai Super Kings wins the toss and opted to bat first

Preview: The stage is all set as Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan Royals host MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in the 43^rd match of Indian Premier League (IPL) which is set to take place at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday.

The game will also see Rajasthan Royals taking the field with a pink jersey (to promote Cancer awareness). Not only the change in colors, but the Royals will be hoping to  also change their fortunes and win the match against a strong CSK side .

The last time when these two teams faced ach other at Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune, It was CSK all-rounder Shane Watson(106 runs from 57 balls) who decimated  the RR bowling attack and helped his team win a one-sided contest by 64 runs.

Both the teams will be coming into the match win victories in their previous games. While RR got the better of KXIP by 15 runs, MS Dhoni-led CSK beat Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets.

While Jos Buttler has been the shining star for the Royals at top of the order, other players especially Sanju Samson and Ben Stokes will have to  make a mark with the bat. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane also needs to get some at the top in order to save the season. 

Looking ar CSK side, the team are  closer to seal their place in the play-offs and victory in Jaipur will secure them the ticket. For a team that is filled with players who are on wrong side of  30, it has been a fantastic season with different match winners in different games.