Promising Yashasvi Jaiswal once again showcased his talent as the Rajasthan Royals spinners smashed a fine half-century before handing Chennai Super Kings a comfortable 32-run win and going top of the IPL table on Thursday. Jaiswal (77 off 43) continued his rich form with his third half-century of the tournament before Devdutt Padikkal (24 not out) and Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15) shared the highest score – 202 for five. provided the final climax to Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Spinners Adam Zampa (3/22 in 3 overs) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/35) took five wickets between them to restrict CSK to 170 for 6 despite excellent efforts from Ruturaj Gaikwad (47) and Shivam Dube (52). Shared the wickets.
With the win, the Royals moved to the top of the table, while CSK slipped to the third spot.
Unlike RR, CSK openers were finding it difficult before Gaikwad, who was dropped for four, broke the shackles and squared off deep backward in the fourth over before hitting Jason Holder (0/49) over mid-on Hits it for a six over square leg. Above.
RR skipper Sanju Samson ramped up the pressure by bowling spin from both ends and it paid dividends.
Devon Conway (8) continued to struggle and with the required run rate rising he was forced to hit a Zampa delivery flat at mid-off to Sandeep Sharma.
Unfazed by the wicket, Gaikwad kept stealing boundaries in each over to keep the scoreboard moving, before Zampa dismissed the dangerous player once again.
CSK’s score was 72 runs for two wickets.
Ashwin (2/35) then took the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane (15) and “impact player” Ambati Rayudu (0) to reduce CSK’s chances further. But Dubey had different plans. He upped the ante, hitting some much-needed sixes to give CSK a glimmer of hope.
The all-rounder completed his third consecutive half-century with the help of four sixes and two fours. However, he could not get his side over the line.
Earlier, opening the innings, Jaiswal started aggressively and hit boundaries all around the ground.
He hit Akash Singh (0/32) for three fours in the very first over. The youngster hit the first ball of the match over wide over cover and then sent the next two over deep extra cover and deep midwicket for the same result.
The Rajasthan opener then collected 18 runs in Singh’s second over. Jaiswal sent the ball thrice to the boundary and also scored a run for a six over long on.
With Tushar Deshpande (2/42) and Singh penalised, CSK skipper MS Dhoni introduced spin as Mahesh Thikshana (1/24) got off to a good start.
Jaiswal, however, completed his half-century in 26 balls.
Jos Buttler also joined the party, hitting a few boundaries. The two shared an 86-run opening partnership before Ravindra Jadeja (1/32) ended the Englishman’s 27-run innings.
CSK bowlers were able to restrict boundaries wicket after wicket and then came the mini batting collapse.
Returning for his second spell, Deshpande dismissed skipper Sanju Samson (17) and also picked up the valuable wicket of a confident Jaiswal in the 14th over.
After this, Tikshana sent Shimron Hetmyer (8) to the pavilion.
Padikkal and Jurel then added 48 runs towards the end of the innings.
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