Buttler keeps RR hopes alive

Jos Buttler anchored a tricky chase to perfection as Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by four wickets in a thrilling encounter to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Indian Premier League in Jaipur on Friday.

Chasing a target of 177, Buttler struck his fourth successive half-century, a 60 ball 95 studded with 11 fours and two sixes as Rajasthan reached the target in 19.5 overs. They now have 10 points from 11 games.

CSK on the other hand, couldn’t secure their playoff berth and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s frustration at his bowlers faltering at the death was once again evident.

Needing 12 off the last over, Buttler smacked Dwayne Bravo’s fourth delivery over mid-wicket for a six and then scampered home for a double to finish the match.

Having scored 50 off 26 balls, Buttler did struggle in the middle overs but kept going and took the game deep before finishing off in style.

The two sixes hit by Krishnappa Gowtham off David Willey in the penultimate over also helped in the larger context.

Buttler’s blazing blade created a lot of damage in the initial overs as he hit a flurry of boundaries and sixes.

He started with three boundaries off countryman David Willey’s over.

Ben Stokes (11 runs in 7 balls) at the other end was looking to end the struggle in his role as an opener before he was bowled middle-stump trying to give Harbhajan the charge.

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane (4) was fooled by Ravindra Jadeja and the catch was taken at slip by Suresh Raina after it bounced off Dhoni’s gloves.

After the first four overs, CSK conceded 48 runs and Dhoni made some good bowling changes in his bid to slow the pace of the game. It worked as in the next seven overs, only 51 runs were scored.

Jadeja (1/28 in 4 overs) did well along with ever-improving Shardul Thakur (1/22 in 4 overs) and Dwayne Bravo as Buttler failed to maintain the momentum after the initial overs.

Sanju Samson (21) was run-out after a horrible mix-up while debutant Prashant Chopra (8) hit a couple of boundaries before failing to pick a slower from Shardul, who bowled a total of 14 dot balls in his spell.

Raina’s knock

Earlier, Raina struck his 34th half-century as Chennai Super Kings posted a competitive 176 for four.

CSK’s most consistent performer over the years, Raina struck 52 off 35 balls with the help of six boundaries and a six, adding 86 runs for the second wicket with veteran Shane Watson (39 off 31 balls).

The duo provided the platform for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to launch a final assault smashing 33 off 23 balls in the company of Sam Billings (27 off 22 balls).

The duo added 55 runs in 6.4 overs to take the team’s total past 175-run mark.

For Royals, Jofra Archer (2/42 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler even though he got hit towards the end.