IPL 2020, CSK vs RR: RR ace ‘battle of survival’, leave MS Dhoni’s CSK on brink of elimination with 7-wicket win

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• It was  a special occasion for CSK skipper Dhoni, who became the first cricketer to play 200 IPL games in the tournament history. In addition, he became the first-ever player in the history of T20 cricket to play 200 matches in the same league.

• At the coin toss, Dhoni-led CSK opted to bat first at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. The CSK innings never got going as the new pair of Sam Curran and Faf du Plessis lasted only for 3 overs.

• Du Plessis was the first one to bite the dust as he walked back for 10 with Shreyas Gopal striking early. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu remained inconsistent and couldn’t add much to the score.

• On the other hand, Curran played a few shots but was dismissed for a 25-ball 22. Barring Ben Stokes, all the RR bowlers kept it tight as Rahul Tewatia, Karthik Tyagi and Jofra Archer returned with one scalp apiece.

Altroz Super Striker of Match 37 between @ChennaiIPL and @rajasthanroyals is Ben Stokes. @TataMotors_Cars #AltrozSuperStriker #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/k3ZpNJoSo6

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 19, 2020

CRED Power Player of Match 37 between @ChennaiIPL and @rajasthanroyals is Jofra Archer.@CRED_club #CREDPowerplay #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/H0Sv0kLj7L

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 19, 2020

• CSK depended on Dhoni-Ravindra Jadeja to bail them out of crisis and post a competitive total. However, they never managed to accelerate.

• Dhoni managed a run-a-ball 28 whereas Jadeja top-scored with 36 off 30 balls. With only five boundaries in the last ten, with no six at all, CSK managed 125 for 5.

• In reply, RR were off to a disastrous start. Ben Stokes perished off Deepak Chahar’s delivery as he got an inside edge.

• The left-hander had given a flourishing start but failed to get a move on. Robin Uthappa premeditated a scoop, as Josh Hazlewood shortened the length, which gave a simple catch to Dhoni. In addition, Sanju Samson’s miseries continued as he flicked only to see Dhoni complete a sharp low-catch.

• While it seemed like the match was swinging in CSK’s favour, their low-total couldn’t prove to be too much. Captain Smith and Jos Buttler, coming out at No. 5, took over the responsibility to see off seamers Chahar and Hazlewood.

• From thereon, Buttler attacked the likes of an erratic Shardul Thakur and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

FIFTY!@josbuttler brings up a well made half-century. This is his 11th in IPL.#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/uxXirAYkMI

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 19, 2020

Jos the Boss!@josbuttler is awarded Man of the Match award for his match-winning knock of 70*#Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/cw915oSrP8

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 19, 2020

• Smith joined the party later as he played the anchor’s role to perfection. The duo were involved in an unbeaten 94-run stand, for the fourth-wicket, as RR romped past CSK by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare.

• With seven defeats from 10 games, the story is almost over for Dhoni’s camp. While mathematically they still have a chance, they need a few miracles to sneak into the playoffs after this loss. RR, meanwhile, take the fifth spot with 8 points.

A look at the Points Table after Match 37 of #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/lHOAWzMdKV

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 19, 2020