With convincing win in tonight's match Rajasthan Royals not only bag 2 crucial points but also improve their NRR. With 8 points and a NRR of -0.591 Steve Smith's team have suddenly jumped the fifth spot on the points table. Will they be able to create a late upset in the league phase and qualify for the playoffs? For that to happen they need to win their remaning matches.
For CSK unfortunately it is all over. They have slipped to the bottom of the points table with just 6 point from 10 matches. With just 4 more league matches to go for them it is now certain that MS Dhoni's side will miss the playoff spot for the first time in their history.
A lot more action still to come. Tomorrow another team which could create late drama in the league phase is back in action. Kings XI Punjab face Delhi Capitals. Join us for the coverage of that match. Good night!
Jos Buttler: Nice to get a win on the board tonight. I tried to come out with some intensity in my batting. I didn't think I had enough last game, and I decided to take a few more options tonight, and it came off. You have to keep trusting yourself and particularly when there's no scoreboard pressure, you can play yourself in and let cut loose in the end. I'm happy (batting at number 5) to do whatever the team needs to me do. This is my role for now.
Player of the Match
For scoring an unbeaten 70 and guiding his side safely home RR's Jos Buttler is the Player of the Match.
Steven Smith: Sharjah is a little different from here. The wicket was stoppy, not the best for batting, and good to be on the winning side. I thought we bowled well in the powerplay. The spinners bowled good lengths, with the googlies and leggies, building a lot of pressure. Tewatia and Shreyas have been sensational for us. Buttler took the pressure off me. I just knocked it around, and he just batted the way he usually does. He always maintains a good strike-rate. I didn't know I'd nicked the ball (LBW call), but I was relieved to see that I had.
MS Dhoni: There was a bit for the fast bowlers. The reason I brought on Jadeja was to see how much it's stopping. But it didn't stop much. In the second innings I think it got better because our spinners didn't get the same bite. It's about going back to the process, and then see if the process is wrong. We play in front of millions of people so there is nothing to hide. We're trying a few things. You don't want to chop and change. Insecurity is something you don't want to prevail in the dressing room. Fair enough, this season we weren't reallythere. Also the youngsters, we didn't see the spark to push the guys. But what this result has done is give those youngsters a chance in the rest of the tournament.
Result
RR win the match by 7 wickets.
RR 126/3 after 17.3 overs.
Jadjea to bowl. Buttler is on strike.
17.1 Fuller delivery and Buttler plays the ball to off side.
17.2 Fuller delivery and Buttler plays the ball to backward square leg for a single.
17.3 Short ball and Smith plays the ball down the ground for a run.
RR 124/3 after 17 overs.
Chawla to bowl. Smith is on strike.
16.1 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith slogs the ball to deep midwicket for a boundary.
16.2 Fuller delivery and Smith blocks.
16.3 Fuller delivery and Smith pushes the ball to cover for a single.
16.4 SIX! Fuller delivery and Buttler comes down the track and hits the ball down to long-on for a maximum.
16.5 Fuller delivery and Buttler plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
16.6 Fuller delivery and Smith defends.
RR 112/3 after 16 overs.
Thakur to bowl. Buttler is on strike.
15.1 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Buttler plays the ball to leg side.
15.2 Short ball outside off stump. Buttler pushes the ball back to the bowler.
15.3 Fuller delivery and Buttler works the ball down to long-on for a run.
15.4 Short delivery outside off. Smith plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
15.5 Short ball on off stump. Buttler plays the ball to leg side for a run.
15.6 Short ball outside off. Smith plays the ball down to third man for a run.
RR 108/3 after 15 overs.
Chawla continues. Smith is on strike.
14.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith scoops the ball to fine leg for 2 runs.
14.2 Fuller delivery and Smith drives the ball to off side for a single.
14.3 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Buttler hits the ball down the ground for a boundary.
14.4 FOUR! Short ball and Buttler cuts the ball off his backfoot through backward point for a boundary.
14.5 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Buttler smashes the ball down to long on for a boundary.
14.6 Short ball and Buttler plays the ball down to sweeper cover for a single.
RR 92/3 after 14 overs.
Thakur to bowl. Smith is on strike.
13.1 Short ball outside off stump. Smith works the ball down to third man for a run.
13.2 Full and straight delivery. Buttler pushes the ball back to the bowler.
13.3 Slightly short delivery and Buttler plays the ball down to fine leg for a single.
13.4 Short ball outside off stump. Buttler gets on the top of the bounce and plays the the ball to off side for a run.
13.5 FOIUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith plays a paddle scoop shot to send the ball down to fine leg for a boundary.
13.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Smith hits the ball through off side for a run.
RR 83/3 after 13 overs.
Piyush Chawla to bowl. Buttler is on strike.
12.1 Short ball and Buttler plays the ball ton cover.
12.2 Short ball and Buttler walks out of his crease and plays the ball to leg side for 2 runs.
12.3 Short ball outside off stump. Buttler goes for cut but misses.
12.4 Short ball outside off stump. Buttler hits the ball through off side and settles for a run.
12.5 Fuller delivery. Smith looks to play the ball to off side but misses.
12.6 Fuller delivery and Smith plays the ball to leg side for a run.
RR 79/3 after 12 overs.
Thakur continues. Buttler is on strike.
11.1 Short ball outside off stump. Buttler goes for shot through off side but the ball beats the edge of the bat and goes into Dhoni's gloves. There is a loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire tuns down the appeal.
11.2 Short ball and Buttler plays the ball through cover for 2 runs.
11.3 FOUR! Short ball outside off stump. Buttler cuts the ball through backward point for a boundary.
11.4 SIX! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Buttler comes on frontfoot and lifts the ball over the bowler's head down to long-of for a maximum.
11.5 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler plays the ball towards the fielder at short midwicket.
11.6 Good length delivery and Buttler plays the ball to cover for a single.
RR 66/3 after 11 overs.
Sam Curran to bowl. On strike is Buttler.
10.1 Short ball on off stump. Buttler plays the ball down to fine leg for 2 runs.
10.2 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler pushes the ball to cover.
10.3 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler works the ball down to third man for a couple of runs.
10.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Buttler pushes the ball through off side for a run.
10.5 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Smith gets the outside edge and the ball goes down to third man for a run.
10.6 1 Leg Bye! Short delivery on middle stump. The ball hits the pads and goes to off side. There was slight appeal but the umpire is not interested.
RR 59/3 after 10 overs.
Shardul Thakur to bowl. On strike is Buttler.
9.1 BEATEN! Good length delivery just around off stump. Buttler goes on backfoot and the ball goes through his defences.
9.2 WIDE! Poor ball by Thakur as he bowls down the leg side.
9.3 Good length ball outside off stump. Buttler pushes the ball through cover for 2 runs.
9.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery on middle stump. Buttler shuffles across and plays the ball through midwicket for a bounadry.
9.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Buttler edges the ball down to third-man for a single.
9.6 Good length delivery outside off stump. Smith plays the ball to off side.
9.6 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Smith plays the ball to mid-on.
RR 51/3 after 9 overs.
Hazlewood to bowl. Smith is on strike.
8.1 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Smith works the ball towards the fielder at short midwicket.
8.2 Short ball outside off stump. Smith plays the ball to mid-off and takes a risky single.
8.3 Short ball outside off stump. Buttler pulls the ball behind square on the leg side and gets 2 runs.
8.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery on middle stump. Buttler lifts the ball over infield. The ball goes down the ground for a boundary.
8.5 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler plays the ball to cover.
8.6 Fuller delivery on off and middle stump. Buttler plays the ball through off side for a single.
RR 43/3 after 8 overs.
Chahar to bowl his last over. Smith is on strike.
7.1 Full and straight delivery on middle stump. Smith pushes the ball to mid-on.
7.2 Fuller delivery on off stump. Smith looks to play the ball to leg side. The ball takes the leading edge and goes to off side.
7.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith drives the ball to cover. A misfield and Smith gets 2 runs.
7.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith blocks the ball.
7.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Smith hits the ball to cover.
7.6 Good length delivery on off stump. Smith hits the ball down to sweeper cover for a run.
RR 40/3 after 7 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja to bowl. Smith is on strike.
6.1 Fuller delivery and Smith drives the ball down the ground for a single.
6.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery on leg stump. Buttler plays a great reverse sweep for a boundary.
6.3 Fuller delivery and Buttler sweeps the ball to fine leg for 2 runs.
6.4 Short ball and Buttler works the ball behind square on the leg side for a run.
6.5 Fuller delivery and Smith drives the ball to the fielder at mid-off.
6.6 Short ball and Smith plays the ball through backward point for a run.
RR 31/3 after 6 overs.
Hazlewood continues. Smith is on stike.
5.1 Fuller delivery on middle stump. The ball raps on the pads. There is a loud appeal for LBW. The umpire gives that as NOT OUT. CSK take the review. The review shows that there is an inside edge.
5.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith plays the ball to off side for a run.
5.3 Good length delivery outside off stump. Buttler plays the ball to cover.
5.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Buttler drives the ball down to third man for 2 runs.
5.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Buttler pushes the ball to cover.
5.6 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler punches the ball to the fielder at cover.
RR 28/3 after 5 overs.
Chahar continues. Samson is on strike.
4.1 BEATEN! Fuller delivery outside off stump. The ball swings after pitching and goes past the outside edge of the bat.
4.2 Fuller delivery on off stump. Samson blocks the ball with full face of his bat.
4.3 WICKET! Samson c Dhoni b Chahar 0(3)
Fuller delivery on leg stump. Samson looks to flick the ball to fine-leg. Dhoni moves quickly to his left and jumps to take a one-handede catch.
Jos Buttler is the new batsman.
4.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Buttler defends.
4.5 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler plays the ball to mid-on.
4.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Buttler pushes the ball to cover.
RR 28/2 after 4 overs.
Hazlewood continues. Uthappa is on strike.
3.1 Fuller delivery and Uthappa lifts the ball over mid-on for 2 runs.
3.2 WICKET! Uthappa c Dhoni b Hazlewood 4(9)
Slow delivery on good length outside off stump. Uthappa walks across his stump to play a paddle shot. He lobs the ball in the air and Dhoni takes an easy catch.
Steve Smith is the new batsman.
3.3 Good length delivery on middle stump. Smith looks to play the ball to off side but the ball takes the leading edge and goes to off side.
3.4 Good length ball and Smith blocks the ball.
3.5 Good length delivery on middle stump. Smith goes on backfoot and defends the ball.
3.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Smith pushes the ball to off side.
RR 26/1 after 3 overs.
Chahar to bowl. Stokes is on strike.
2.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Stokes comes down the track and hits the ball to deep extra cover for a single.
2.2 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Uthappa plays the ball to mid-on.
2.3 Fuller delivery just outside off stump. Uthappa comes on frontfoot and defends.
2.4 Short delivery outsdie off stump. Uthappa cuts the ball and the ball goes down to third-man. Uthappa takes a run.
2.5 FOUR! Good shot from Stokes. Fuller delivery outside off stump. Stokes plays a stylish drive through extra cover for a boundary.
2.6 WICKET! Stokes b Chahar 19(11)
Short ball on off stump. Stokes goes for a shot on the off side. The ball takes the inside edge and hits the stumps.
RR 20/0 after 2 overs.
Josh Hazlewood to bowl. Uthappa is on strike.
1.1 4 Leg Byes! Short delivery on leg stump. The ball brushes the thigh pads and going down to fine leg for a boundary.
1.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Uthappa plays the ball to off side for a run.
1.3 Short ball on middle stump. Stokes comes out of crease to play abig shot but misses.
1.4 Good length delivery just outsdie off stump. Stokes plays the ball to the fielder at wide third slip.
1.5 FOUR! Short ball. Stokes pulls and the ball goes down to fine leg for a boundary.
1.6 Fuller delivery outsdie off stump. Stokes steps out of the crease and hits the ball to deep for a run.
RR 9/0 after 1 over.
Deepak Chahar to bowl the first over for CSK. On strike is Ben Stokes.
0.1 Good length delivery on middle stump. Stokes plays the ball to leg side.
0.2 FOUR! Short ball outside off stump. Stokes slashes the ball through extra cover for a boundary.
0.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Stokes comes down the track to play the ball to off side but misses out. The ball goes to Dhoni.
0.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Stokes plays the ball to cover and takes a single. An overthrow by Rayudu gifts 4 extra runs.
0.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Uthappa drives the ball to mid-off.
0.6 1 Leg Bye! Fuller delivery on middle stump. Uthappa looks to play the ball to leg side. The ball hits the pads and there is a loud appeal for LBW. The umpire gives that as NOT OUT. Chahar convinces Dhoni for the review. The review shows it is umpire's call. Uthappa takes a single.
Right then, RR's chase is about to get underway. CSK players are in a huddle with Dhoni inspiring his troop. Robin Uthappa and Ben Stokes walk out to open the inning for RR.
CSK 125/5 after 20 overs.
Ben Stokes to bowl the last over of the inning. Jadeja is on strike.
19.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Jadeja plays the ball to cover for a single.
19.2 DROPPED! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Jadhav plays the ball to long-off. Archer drops an easy chance. Jadhave takes 2 runs.
19.3 Fuller delivery and Jadhav plays the ball for a single.
19.4 Fuller delivey and Jadjea plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
19.5 1 Leg Bye! Slow ball. Jadhav goes for a big shot but misses. Jadhav takes a single.
19.6 1 Leg Bye! Slow ball. The ball hits the pads. Jadjea takes a single.
CSK 118/5 after 19 overs.
Archer to bowl his last over. Jadeja is on strike.
18.1 Fuller delivery on off stump. Jadeja plays the ball down to long-off for a single.
18.2 BEATEN! Fuller delivery outside off stump. The ball goes past the outside edge.
18.3 Good length delivery outside off stump. Jadhav plays the ball to cover for a single.
18.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery angled in to middle stump. Jadeja clears his front leg and plays the ball over mid-off for a boundary.
18.5 FOUR! Short ball going down the leg side. Jadeja guides the ball down to fine leg for a boundary.
18.6 Short ball and Jadeja guides the ball round the corner for a single.
CSK 107/5 after 18 overs.
Tyagi to bowl. Dhoni is on strike.
17.1 Full toss outside off stump. Dhoni plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
17.2 1 Leg bye! Fuller delivery on middle stump. The ball hits the back leg and goes to off side. The batsman takes a single.
17.3 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni hits the ball down to long-off. A misfielde by Archer gifts Dhoni a boundary.
17.4 WICKET! Dhoni run out (Jofra Archer/Samson) 28(28)
Fuller delivery and Dhoni powers the ball down to long-off. He takes the first run slowly and then he goes for the second run. Throw from the deep is good and to the keeper's end. Samson collects the ball and dislodges the bails. The replay shows that Dhoni is short of his gound by millimeters.
Kedar Jadhav is the new batsman.
17.5 Good short ball outside off stump. Jadhav leaves the ball for the keeper.
17.6 Good short ball outside off stump. Jadhav goes for but misses his shot.
CSK 100/4 after 17 overs.
Archer is back in the attack. Jadeja is on strike.
16.1 Full toss. Jadjea wants to play the ball to leg side. The ball takes the leading edge and goes to off side. The batsman takes a single.
16.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni plays the ball down to third man for a run.
16.3 Fuller delivey outside off stump. Jadjea goes for drive but the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat.
16.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Jadeja plays the ball to square leg for a single.
16.5 Short ball outside off stump. Dhoni leaves the ball for the keeper.
16.6 Short ball and Dhoni plays the ball to short fine leg for a run.
CSK 96/4 after 16 overs.
Ben Stokes is back in the attack. Jadeja is on strike.
15.11 Leg Bye! Good length delivery on off stump. The ball hits the pads and goes to off side. Jadeja takes a single. There was slight appeal for LBW but the ball was pitching outside the leg stump.
15.2 Short ball on off side and Dhoni plays the ball to leg side for a run.
15.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Jadeja plays the ball to off side for a run.
15.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Dhoni punches the ball down to long-on for 2 runs.
15.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Dhoni plays the ball to off side for a run.
15.6 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja cuts the ball to the fielder at short third man and takes a quick single.
CSK 89/4 after 15 overs.
Tewatia to bowl his last over. Dhoni is on strike.
14.1 Flat delivery going down leg. Dhoni goes on the backfoot and plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
14.2 Short delivery outside off stump. Jadeja cuts the ball and sends it to sweeper cover for a singe.
14.3 Fuller deivery outside off stump. Dhoni plays the ball to extra-cover and the ball falls just short of Smith.
14.4 Short ball and Dhoni plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
14.5 Short ball on off stump. Jadeja plays the ball to off side.
14.6 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja guides the ball ti sweeper cover for a run.
CSK 85/4 after 14 overs.
Tyagi is back to bowl. Dhoni is on strike.
13.1 Fuller delivery fired on off stump. Dhoni goes on the backfoot and plays the ball to off side.
13.2 FOUR! Much needed boundary for CSK. Fuller delivery on middle and off stump. Dhoni powers the ball through cover for a boundary.
13.3 Short ball outside off stump. Dhoni goes for cut but misses. The ball goes to the keeper.
13.4 Good length delivery on middle and leg stump. Dhoni plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
13.5 WIDE! Short ball way down the leg side.
13.5 FOUR! Good length ball outside off stump. Jadeja pokes his bat. The ball takes the outside edge and races down to third-man for a boundary.
13.6 FOUR! Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja cuts and sends ball through backward point for a boundary.
CSK 71/4 after 13 overs.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl. Dhoni is on strike.
12.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni streches his front leg forward and plays the ball down to third-man for a single.
12.2 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja plays the ball to off side.
12.3 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja guides the ball down to long-on for a single.
12.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni pushes the ball to cover.
12.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni plays the ball to cover.
12.6 Short ball outside off stump. Dhoni plays the ball to the fielder at sweeper cover for a single.
CSK 68/4 after 12 overs.
Tewatia to bowl his third over. Dhoni is on strike.
11.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni plays a late cut. A misfield by Tyagi gifts Dhoni 3 runs.
11.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Jadeja blocks the ball.
11.3 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja cuts the ball through backward point for 2 runs.
11.4 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja gudies the ball down to short third man.
11.5 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja plays the ball down to mid-off.
11.6 Fuller deivery outside off stump. Jadeja sweeps the ball to fine-leg for 2 runs.
CSK 61/4 after 11 overs.
Gopal is on strike. Dhoni is on strike. Ravindra Jadeja is the new batsman.
10.1 Short delivery and Dhoni pulsl the ball to leg side for a single.
10.2 Fuller delivery and Jadeja plays the ball to mid-on.
10.3 Fuller delivery and Jadeja blocks the ball.
10.4 Short ball and Jadeja pulls the ball through midwicket for 2 runs.
10.5 Short ball outside off stump. Jadeja plays the ball down to short third man for a single.
10.6 Short ball on leg stump. Dhoni plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
CSK 56/4 after 10 overs.
Tewatia to bowl. Dhoni is on strike.
9.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni pushes the ball to cover.
9.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni pushes the bal back to the bowler.
9.3 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Dhoni blocks the ball.
9.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni drives the ball down to long-off for a run.
9.5 Short delivery. rayudu comes down the track and pushes the ball back to the bowler.
9.6 WICKET! Rayudu c Samson b Rahul Tewatia 13(19)
Short delivery going down leg stump. Rayudu goes for sweep. The ball bounces. The ball hits the edge of the bat and lobs in the air. Samson takes an easy catch.
CSK 55/3 after 9 overs.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl his second over. Curran is on strike.
8.1 DROPPED! Short delivery. Curran goes for pull. The ball takes the edge of the bat and Samson drops the catch.
8.2 WICKET! Sam Curran c Buttler b Shreyas Gopal 22(25)
Fuller delivery outside off stump. Curran looks for a big shot. The ball takes the outside edge of the bat. The ball goes to long-off and Jos Buttler takes an easy catch.
MS Dhoni is the new batsman.
8.3 Good delivery from Gopal. Rayudu brings his front leg forward to block the ball. The ball hits on the pads. There is a loud appeal for LBW. After a few seconds the umpire raises his finger. Rayudu after consulting Dhoni takes the review and the review shows that the ball is going down the leg side. Rayudu survives.
8.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rayudu plays the ball to off side.
8.5 Short ball outside off stump. Rayudu pulls the ball to leg side and takes a single.
8.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Dhoni leans into his drive and plays the ball to off side for a run.
CSK 51/2 after 8 overs.
Rahul Tewatia to bowl. Curran is on strike.
7.1 Short ball outside off stump. Curran plays the ball towards the fielder at short third man for a single.
7.2 WIDE! Poor ball by Tewatai as he bowls a ball that is wide outside off stump.
NO BALLTewatia has overstepped too.
FREE HIT delivery!
7.3 Short delivery outside off stump. Rayudu comes down the track and plays the ball in the air to backward point. The fielder takes the catch and Rayudu takes a single.
7.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Curran plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
7.5 Fuller delivery and Rayudu gets the outside edge of the bat. The ball goes to third man.
7.6 Fuller delivery and Rayudu plays the ball to cover for a run.
7.6 Fuller delivery and Curran plays the ball for a run.
CSK 45/2 after 7 overs.
Shreyas Goplal to bowl. Rayudu is on strike.
6.1 Short of the length delivery and Curran plays the ball to point.
6.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rayudu pushes the ball down the ground for a run.
6.3 Short ball outside off stump. Curran plays the ball to cover.
6.4 Short ball outside off stump. Curran slashes the ball cover.
6.5 Fuller delivery and Curran plays the ball to cover.
6.6 Short ball outside off stump. Curran cuts the ball to off side for a run.
CSK 43/2 after 6 overs.
Kartik Tyagi continues. Curran is on strike.
5.1 Back of the length delivery on off stump. Curran plays the ball to off side.
5.2 Short ball outside off stump. Curran plays the ball through off side for a single.
5.3 Good length delivery outside off stump. Rayudu leaves the ball for the keeper.
5.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Rayudu wants to smash the ball through cover but misses.
5.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rayudu plays the ball to point. The fielder present there stops the ball.
5.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rayudu plays the ball to mid-on and takes a run.
CSK 41/2 after 5 overs.
Ben Stokes to bowl. Sam Curran is on strike. Ambati Rayudu is on strike.
4.1 SIX! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Curran smashes the ball over Stokes's head down the ground for a maximum.
4.2 Short ball outside off sttump. Curran plays the ball down to third-man for a single.
4.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rayudu plays the ball to the fielder at backward point.
4.4 FOUR! Short ball outside off stump. Rayudu pulls and sends the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.
4.5 Fuller delivery on pads. Rayudu guides the ball to leg side.
4.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rayudu comes down the track and hits the ball down to long-off for a boundary.
CSK 26/2 after 4 overs.
Kartik Tyagi to bowl. Curran is on strike. Shane Watson is the new batsman.
3.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Curran goes for a shot on the off side but the ball goes past him.
3.2 FOUR! Short delivery outside off stump. Curran cuts the ball through off side for a boundary.
3.3 Another short delivery outside off stump. Curran cuts the ball to third-man for a run.
3.4 FOUR! Stylish way to get off the mark. Short delivery outside off stump. Watson pulls and the ball goes through mid-wicket for a boundary.
3.5 FOUR! Watson is lucky here!! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Watson goes for a shot. The ball takes the inside edge of the bat and just misses the stumps. Goes past the keeper and behind the keeper for a boundary.
3.6 WICKET! Watson c Rahul Tewatia b Kartik Tyagi 8(3)
Fuller delivery on off and middle. Watson looks to play the ball on the leg side. He flicks and the ball goes straight to Rahul Rewatai at short midwicket.
CSK 13/1 after 3 overs.
Archer to bowl his second over. Curran is on strike.
2.1 Good length delivery on middle and off stump. Curran blocks the ball.
2.2 BEATEN! Good short delivery on off and middle. The ball moves and beats the outside edge of the bat and goes to the keeper.
2.3 Good length ball just outside off stump. Curran gets the outside edge of the bat on the ball and the ball goes to third-man. Curran takes a single.
2.4 Short ball outside off. du Plessis plays the ball to mid-off.
2.5 Fuller delivery on middle and leg line. du Plessis works the ball to leg side for 2 runs.
2.6 WICKET! du Plessis c Buttler b Jofra Archer 10(9)
Short ball which surprises du Plessis. du Plessis looks to play the ball to point buty beacuse of the slowness of the pitch the ball goes to short cover. Jos Buttler streches his arms and takes the catch.
CSK 10/0 after 2 overs.
Ankit Rajpoot to bowl from the other end. Faf du Plessis is on strike.
1.1 Good length delivery outside off stump. du Plessis plays the ball to off-side.
1.2 FOUR! First boundary of the match. Short delivery outside off-stump. du Plessis pulls and sends the ball to square-leg for a boundary.
1.3 Short ball on middle stump. du Plessis works the ball to fine-leg for a single.
1.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Curran pulls the ball to mid-on. A misfield by Robin Uthappa gifts Curran a single.
1.5 Short ball and du Plessis pulls. The ball flies over the keeper and goes towards third-man. Kartik Tyagi stops a certain boundary. du Plessis takes 2 runs.
1.6 Fuller delivery on middle stump. du Plessis blocks.
CSK 2/0 after 1 over.
Jofra Archer as always to bowl the first over for CSK. Facing Archer is Sam Curran.
0.1 BEATEN! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Hint of swing and the angle takes the ball away from Curran. Curran goes for drive but misses.
0.2 Fuller delivery on off stump. Curran pushes the ball to short cover and takes a quick single.
0.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. du Plessis plays the ball to mid-on and takes another single.
0.4 Good length delivery on middle stump. Curran plays the ball back to the bowler.
0.5 Good short delivery. Curran bails out just at the last moment and the ball flies to the keeper.
0.6 BEATEN! Good length delivey which moves away. The ball flies past the outside edge of Curran's bat.
RR players are in a huddle. Sam Curran and Faf du Plessis the CSK openers are warming up just in front of their dug out. The two umpires walk out and so do the players. We are ready for the action.
RR Playing XI
Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Kartik Tyagi
CSK Playing XI
Faf du Plessis, Sam Curran, Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Josh Hazlewood
Steven Smith: He (Ben Stokes) has put up okay fortunately, good to go tonight. The equation is pretty simple for us we need to keep winning, hopefully we can start tonight. We have to bowl first, restrict them and chase it down.
MS Dhoni: We will bat first. It is a used wicket and chances are it may slow down as the game progresses. He won't be available for the next few games. Injuries are not only our concern but the other franchises as well, that's because the players have not played for a long time. You spoke about it and that's how I got to know. It's just a number. I have been fortunate to have played so many games. We have couple of changes - Hazlewood and Chawla in.
Toss
CSK captain MS Dhoni wins the toss and opts to bat.
Trivia Alert!
CSK captain MS Dhoni plays his 200th IPL game tonight. He becomes the first IPL player to reach this milestone.
Deccan Herald’s Dream XI
Faf du Plessis, Ben Stokes, Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shardul Thakur, Kartik Tyagi, Karn Sharma
Impact player for RR
Jofra Archer: The onus of wickets is on Jofra Archer. On his day, he can be devastating. With 12 wickets so far, he will need to make an impact.
Impact player for CSK
Sam Curran: The 22-year-old is a valuable part of the team as he's a strong competitor. He can bat anywhere and can bowl whenever required. He is also a great fielder.
RR Threats: RR also have five must-win matches to go. The team's performances so far don't inspire a lot of confidence in what they can do.
RR Opportunities: Uthappa should probably continue as an opener. He gave RR a good start in the last match. It's a tough call on whether Ben Stokes should continue as an opener.
RR Weaknesses: Apart from Jofra Archer, the other bowlers haven't been able to take wickets. The pacer has twice as many wickets as Rahul Tewatia and Shreyas Gopal. The Indian pacers have also been unreliable.
RR Strengths: The strong batting core has turned out to be quite frail. On the positive side, Robin Uthappa found some form in his preferred opening slot in the last match. Steve Smith has three fifties but is still hunting for his best touch. Rahul Tewatia has stolen some games for RR down the order but he can't do it every time. And Sanju Samson has a bad habit of flattering to deceive every year.
The SWOT for RR.
CSK Threats: It is now or never for MS Dhoni. He needs to either write this season off or fight till the end. With just three wins from nine matches, it is one of their worst performances in recent years. CSK have to win all five remaining matches to give themselves a chase for play-offs.
CSK Opportunities: Dwayne Bravo’s injury will force a change of plans. Either Imran Tahir or Mitchell Santner will need to come in. Tahir is one of the best spinners around but Santner is a better option if CSK want to draft in an all-rounder. That might give Santner an edge.
CSK Weaknesses: The batting continues to have problems. Shane Watson has been a disappointment and the pressure is on Faf du Plessis in every match. Ambati Rayudu has clicked here and there but it's not been enough. MS Dhoni does not seem to have the match-winning skills of old. And Kedar Jadhav has been off colour all through the season.
CSK Strengths: CSK have depth in their bowling, which allowed them to drag the match against the Delhi Capitals into the last over. Dwayne Bravo's injury then messed up a match that they should have won. The bowling has been pretty good without once using the exceptional skills of Imran Tahir.
The SWOT for CSK
Form Guide (last five matches)
Chennai Super Kings: L-W-L-L-W
Rajasthan Royals: L-L-W-L-L
Head to Head:
Matches Played: 23
Chennai Super Kings: 14
Rajasthan Royals: 9
CSK have enjoyed playing against RR. Will the dominance continue or will RR be able to complete the double over CSK this season and mover ahead of them in the points table?
What happened in the reverse fixture?
Steve Smith and Sanju Samson’s blistering fifties propelled RR to 216/7 in 20 overs. In response, Faf du Plessis too hit a quick-fire half-century but CSK were stopped at 200/6 in 20 overs. RR won the match by 16 runs.
Good evening and welcome to the coverage of match 37 of the 2020 Indian Premier League. This evening Chennai Super Kings face Rajasthan Royals at Sheik Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi. With CSK at 7th and RR at 8th, tonight's match is huge. At the end of the night one team will lose and that should be it for that team for this season. This match is all about CSK and RR staying relavent in the league for this season.
It's a bottom-table brawl | IPL 2020 Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals: SWOT Analysis
The Chennai Super Kings face the Rajasthan Royals in match 37 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Here's our analysis.
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