Match 17 Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals

CSK vs RR IPL 2023

Introduction 

Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2023 Highlights: Sandeep Sharma nailed two perfect blockhole deliveries to keep Mahendra Singh Dhoni (32 off 17 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (25 off 15 balls) under check

CSK win toss, opt to bowl first

It's time for the toss and MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson are in the middle. The coin goes up and Dhoni wins it. CSK will bowl first against the Rajasthan Royals. 

Mutual respect between rivals

Did one just see Sanju Samson bowing to MS Dhoni when he came for the toss? At least, that's what it seemed like when the two captains shook hands in the middle. It could be an innocuous show of respect for one's idol, leading his beloved franchise for the 200th time in his own den, and Samson didn't hide the fact that he holds the Chennai Super Kings skipper in high regard. “Always a pleasure to come to Chepauk to play against CSK and Mahi bhai,” he said. And Dhoni always comes across as a warm and affectionate mentor for youngsters who look up to him.

A costly slip

When one has someone of the pedigree of Ajinkya Rahane when it comes to slip fielding, especially for spinners, why would you have anyone else standing there? At least, a skipper of MS Dhoni's astuteness would be expected to keep that in mind. Moeen Ali, who was entrusted with that responsibility, seemed  genuinely surprised when the two chances came to him. The one of Devdutt Padikkal off Maheesh Theekshana's bowling came at his bootlaces, while the one of Ravichandran Ashwin in a memorable Ravindra Jadeja over almost hit him in the chest. All this while, Rahane was fielding in the outfield.

One would have expected Dhoni to make the change after the first chance went down, but he still persisted with the Englishman on a pitch which had ample in it for the spinners. Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal can be expected to make the most of such a surface, with the option of including Adam Zampa   to improve their prospects. 

Moeen also missed a relatively easy run-out opportunity and with the ball, gave away 18 runs in his first over with his compatriot Jos Buttler pulling two short-of-length deliveries way into the stands.

Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by three runs in the IPL on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 176, Chennai Super Kings were restricted to 172 for 6 as Sandeep Sharma nailed two perfect blockhole deliveries to keep Mahendra Singh Dhoni (32 off 17 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (25 off 15 balls) under check. Ravichandran Ashwin was the best RR bowler on view with figures of 2/25.

Chennai need 176 to win

Tushar Deshpande to bowl the last over and Hetmyer drives through the line for a four!! Takes 2 more next as he retains strike. The next ball, he gets down on his knees and misses. A single and Holder will face the remaining 2 balls. And he is out first ball as Holder hits it well but fails to clear the field. Conway with the catch. Zampa in for Buttler now. And the catch is dropped but it's a run our to end this over. Rajasthan Royals finish at 175/8 after 20 overs

Jadeja's sixes keep Chennai in the hunt

Chennai need 40 from 12 balls and Json Holder will bowl the 19th. Jadeja on strike. Jadeja swings and misses. Takes a single and Dhoni on strike. Excellent bowling as Dhoni takes a single. Lovely shot by Jadeja off the 3rd ball to get 4. Still in it, CSK. Wide!!! He has to bowl this one again. And heaved away in the leg side for a six!!!! Jadeja keeping Chennai alive. Brilliant ball next as he gets a dot now. And the last ball of the over is thumped for 6 more!!!

Rajasthan win!!

Sandeep Sharma in to bowl the last over and it's Dhoni on stike. And he starts with a wide!!! Nerves, nerves, nerves!! and another wide!! Excellent delivery as he gets a dot ball. Gets the next one very wrong as Dhoni hits a flat six!! And another full toss and Dhoni has hit it for another 6!!! Chennai very very close!! Need 7 from 3 now. And that's a single. Onus on Jadeja to finish this one off. Brilliant ball from Sandeep as Chennai need a 6 now to finish. And a brilliant ball to end as Dhoni gets a single and Rajastha win by the skin of their teeth.

Dhoni turns it on

Zamapa to bowl the 18th and that's four from the first ball as the fans are up on their feet. A single follows.. And that's a six by Dhoni!!!! Zampa under a world of pressure.

Chennai Super Kings Squad: 

MS Dhoni (c & wk), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwaine Pretorius, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Sisanda Magala, Tushar Deshpande, Ambati Rayudu, Akash Singh, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, RS Hangargekar, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Bhagath Varma, Nishant Sindhu

Rajasthan Royals Squad: 

Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Murugan Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Akash Vasisht, KM Asif, Donavon Ferreira, Joe Root, Adam Zampa, KC Cariappa, Obed McCoy, Devdutt Padikkal, Kuldip Yadav, Kuldeep Sen, Abdul Basith, Kunal Singh Rathore

Rajasthan Royals Scoreboard:

Chennai Super Kings Scoreboard:

Conclusion : 

 MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja’s efforts fall short as Rajasthan defeat Chennai by 3 runs