RR vs CSK, IPL 2020: Steve Smith led Rajasthan Royals Beats Chennai Super Kings by 16 Runs in the Thriller Match
teve Smith led Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 16 runs. The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings who defeated Mumbai Indians to play their second match, lost to Rajasthan Royals.
The fourth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) was played between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in which Steve Smith led Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings by 16 runs. The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings who defeated Mumbai Indians to play their second match, lost to Rajasthan Royals, playing the opening match of IPL’s 13th season.
Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals at Sharjah ground. From Royals side, Sanju Samson emerged as a star player of the team. He smashed 74 runs off just 32 balls. Rajasthan’s team scored 217 runs on the basis of half-centuries made by Sanju Samson and captain Steve Smith.
Steve Smith smashed 69 off 47 balls by hitting 4 fours and 4 sixes. Whereas Debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed early on but then Samson and Smith played magnificently and made a partnership of 121-runs. Chennai made a good comeback late into the Royals innings but Jofra Archer scored 27 off just 8 balls by hitting four consecutive sixes off Lungi Ngidi’s final over to take his side in the driver’s seat in this match.
Although Ngidi bowled well initially and Sam Curran picked-up three wickets from his spell (4-0-33-3) but CSK could never put the brakes on RR’s run-rate.
In the second inning, CSK openers Murali Vijay and Shane Watson provided a charming start to the team and reached the 50-run stand inside six overs. But just when CSK started looking dangerous, both openers were dismissed in a span of six deliveries. Sam Curran was sent to up the ante but was dismissed stumped by Rahul Tewatia after hitting two sixes. Tewatia changed the game when he accounted for debutant Ruturaj Gaikwad in the exact same fashion.
With their backs to the wall Fad du Plessis launched a brilliant counter-attack and smashed 72 runs off just 37 balls by hitting 1 four and 7 sixes but the asking run-rate was always out of hand due to the middle-order’s failure. CSK sorely missed the presence of Ambati Rayudu in the middle as he performed really well in the previous match against Mumbai Indians.
With 38 needed from Tom Curran’s final over, Dhoni hit him for three consecutive sixes which was surely a treat for his fans.
Despite the absence of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, the team played very well. RR fans are surely waiting for them to add in the team and make it more better.
