CHENNAI, India: Defending champion Chennai Super Kings remained in contention for the playoffs after beating Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
Chennai prevailed in the low-scoring match thanks to skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 41-ball 42 not out in his team’s successful chase.
Pacers Simarjeet Singh and Tushar Deshpande had shared five wickets to restrict Rajasthan to 141-5 on a slow-paced wicket. Chennai chased that down in 18.2 overs, finishing on 145-5, to seal its first win over the Rajasthan Royals in five games.
With its seventh win in 13 games, Chennai climbed to third in the IPL table on 14 points, the same as Sunrisers Hyderabad but ahead on net run-rate.
Rajasthan is still second with 16 points from 12 games after its third straight loss and needs a solitary win in the remaining two games to confirm its last-four spot.
The visitors had won the toss and opted to bat, but didn’t make use of the opportunity in the afternoon heat.
Its top-order trio all got starts, but couldn’t capitalize for bigger knocks. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 24 and put on 43 with Jos Buttler (21). Sanju Samson scored a slow 15 off 19 balls and all three batters were out to Singh, who finished with 3-26 in four overs.
Riyan Parag then played a rescuing hand with 47 not out off 35 balls, including three sixes. Dhruv Jurel contributed 28 off 18 to give him company.
Deshpande (2-30) claimed two wickets at the death and prevented Rajasthan from having a slog at the end.
Chasing 142, Chennai was prepared for an attritional game. Gaikwad dropped anchor at one end, while New Zealand duo Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell scored quickly.
Ravindra made 27 off 18 balls, while Mitchell scored 22 off 13, to propel Chennai in the power play.
Rajasthan spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin put on the brakes as boundaries dried up.
Shivam Dube broke the impasse with two fours and a six, scoring 18 off 11 balls, before he holed out.
Ravindra Jadeja was out obstructing the field. He came across Samson’s throw while returning from a second run, and was adjudged out.
Impact player Sameer Rizvi then smacked 15 not out off eight balls to help Chennai cross the finish line.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosts Delhi Capitals in a must-win game later Sunday.
___
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - Associated Press)