Wanindu Hasaranga’s excellence disrupted the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) chase as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured a six-run victory to claim their maiden triumph of the tournament. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad spearheaded CSK’s resistance with a 44-ball 63 (7×4, 1×6), but Hasaranga’s (4/35) consistent breakthroughs kept the chase under control restricting them to 176/6. This marks CSK’s second consecutive loss.
Ravindra Jadeja (32* off 22) and MS Dhoni (16 off 11), who walked in at No. 7 delivered late fireworks, but the target remained out of reach. Dhoni ignited CSK’s hopes with a six and a four in the 19th over, where Tushar Deshpande conceded 19 runs with Jadeja capping it off with a six. However, with 20 needed in the final over, Sandeep Sharma kept his composure, giving away just 13 and dismissing Dhoni, thanks to a spectacular catch by Shimron Hetmyer sealing RR’s triumph.
Nitish Rana’s Explosive 81 Guides Rajasthan to a Competitive Total
Rajasthan, batting first at their home ground in Guwahati, got off to a shaky start as Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Khaleel Ahmed after scoring just four runs. Following the early setback, Riyan Parag selflessly gave up his batting position to accommodate Nitish Rana. Rana displayed an explosive approach smashing 81 runs off just 36 balls laced with 10 fours and five sixes. Meanwhile, Riyan Parag contributed with a steady 37-run knock included two fours and two sixes in 28 balls.
After Riyan Parag and Nitish Rana’s departure, Rajasthan struggled to maintain the momentum as they added only 52 runs in the final eight overs. RR, who often surpass the 200-run mark ended up with 182 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs. CSK’s Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmed, and Matheesha Pathirana claimed two wickets each.
Chennai Super Kings Struggle in Chase as Rajasthan’s Bowlers Dominate
Chasing 183 runs, Chennai had a shaky start as their opener Rachin Ravindra was dismissed for a duck by Jofra Archer. After that, Rahul Tripathi took his time at the crease scoring 23 off 19 balls with three boundaries and a six. Although Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube tried to steady the ship, CSK lost two wickets for just 46 runs. Dube couldn’t keep his momentum either falling for 18 off 10 balls with one four and two sixes. In the end, Chennai captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also went out in the final moments after scoring 63 off 44 balls, marked by seven fours and a six.
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