CSK vs RR Man of the Match: Rajasthan Royals’ overseas batsman was declared the ‘Man of the Match’ in Abu Dhabi tonight.
Advertisement
During the 37th match of the ongoing 13th season of the Indian Premier League between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi, Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by 7 wickets to remain alive in the tournament.
Having won fourth out of their 10th match, Royals have climbed to the fifth position on the points table and will need to win their remaining four matches to qualify for the playoffs.
Advertisement
After Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat, an all-round disciplined bowling performance from RR’s bowlers restricted the opposition to 125/5 in 20 overs.
ALSO READ: “This season we weren’t there,” says MS Dhoni post losing to Rajasthan Royals
While the likes of Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer and Kartik Tyagi picked a wicket apiece, it was each one of them not giving away runs which laid the foundation of a clinical victory.
CSK vs RR Man of the Match
Much like Rajasthan’s bowlers, Chennai’s pacers also came hard at the opposition batsmen by restricting them to 31/3 in the powerplay. Just when it seemed that Dhoni would put together a coup, an unbeaten 98-run partnership between Royals captain Steven Smith and batsman Jos Buttler sealed the chase for them in the 18th over.
Having scored his 11th IPL half-century, Buttler also proved the team management’s decision to bat him down the order. Dominating the match-winning stand alongside Smith, Buttler was declared ‘Man of the Match’ for scoring 70* (48) with the help of seven fours and two sixes on a difficult surface.
Advertisement
“We let a couple of games slip so it’s nice to win tonight. I tried to come out with a bit of intensity with my batting, something I felt I didn’t have last match. I felt more comfortable at the crease. It was a nice feeling.
“In T20 cricket you can kick yourself for bad form because you never play too many balls but you have to trust yourself. I’m happy to bat wherever the team needs me,” Buttler said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Advertisement