IPL 2023, CSK VS RR: Dhoni’s Cameo in Vain as RR Beat CSK by 3 Runs

IPL 2023, CSK VS RR: Rajasthan Royals (RR) weathered a storm named MS Dhoni to beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final over of the 17th match of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday, April 12.

CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the coin toss and opted to field first considering the dew factor might come into play in the second innings. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) struck a couple of boundaries to get the Royals going at the start of the innings. However, he perished in the second over while trying to attempt a big shot off Tushar Deshpande’s bowling.

Given a promotion up the batting order, Devdutt Padikkal (38) came to the number 3 position and displayed aggressive intent by smashing a couple of boundaries against CSK’s new ball bowlers in the powerplay. Ace all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (2/21) stalled their momentum with a magnificent double-wicket over, dismissing Padikkal and Sanju Samson (0). Ravichandran Ashwin (30) forged a crucial partnership with Jos Buttler (52) Ashwin departed in the 15th over. Soon Buttler also got out after reaching his half-century. Shimron Hetmyer’s later flourish (30*) took RR to 175/8 with a cameo in the death overs.

IPL 2023, CSK VS RR: Sandeep’s Last Over Heroics Kept CSK at Bay

With a target of 176 runs, CSK lost their star opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) early in the chase to Sandeep Sharma as he holed out on 10. Ajinkya Rahane (31) and Devon Conway then joined hands to stitch a solid partnership to drive the innings. Rahane was dismissed by Ashwin. Shivam Dube couldn’t get any momentum to his innings as he was out by Ashwin.

However, Ravichandran Ashwin (2/25) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/27) bowled well for combined figures of 4/52 runs in eight overs. At the halfway stage, CSK was 80/2. But the asking rate kept climbing up when the spinners were operating in the middle-overs. Succumbing to the pressure they went for big shots and lost wickets. Impact player Adam Zampa got Moeen Ali out in the 14th over. CSK’s impact player Ambati Rayudu couldn’t open his account and was dismissed for 1(2). When Dhoni walked out to bat, CSK needed 62 runs from the final five overs. In the final two overs, CSK needed 40 to win with MS Dhoni (32*) and Ravindra Jadeja (25*) but they ended up losing the match by just three runs.