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.
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.