After being put in to bat in Match 5 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Dwayne Bravo (20 not out off 8) and Ambati Raydu (27 off 17) helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) post a total of 188 for nine. Rajasthan Royals (RR) got off to a good start in the chase thanks to Jos Buttler (49 off 35), but the batsmen were undone by the spinners on the Wankhede ground, which had more turn than in previous games. After RR’s innings finished at 143 for nine, CSK won the game by 45 runs. Moeen Ali (3/7 in 3 overs) took three wickets in fast succession to effectively put the game out of reach.
After Ravindra Jadeja (2/28 in 4) provided the critical breakthrough by castingling Buttler with a classic away turning strike, Moeen Ali (3/7 in 3 overs) picked up three wickets in quick succession to effectively seal the game for his side.
Jadeja, one of the best fielders in the league, also had four catches. CSK won their third game in a row after outplaying Punjab Kings (PBKS), while RR lost their second game in a row.
CSK had previously lost wickets at the end of the game, both as a result of the batsmen heading for huge hits and as a result of some strong bowling by RR. Dwayne Bravo smashed a massive six off Mustafizur Rahman (1/37)’s last ball of the innings to ensure the CSK got close to 190.
As the CSK batsmen got starts but couldn’t capitalise on them, Faf Du Plessis top scored with 33. RR’s best bowler was young Chetan Sakariya (3/36 from 4 overs), while Chris Morris finished with 2/33 despite conceding 15 runs in his final over.
MS Dhoni came in to bat at No.7 in his 200th match as CSK captain, but he struggled to get moving as soon as he would have liked. He did manage two boundaries in his 17-ball 18 before being caught by Jos Buttler after being beaten by an off-cutter by Sakariya. In his short appearance, he survived a run-out opportunity and a few nervous moments.
Suresh Raina (18, 15 balls, 1 four, 1 six) and Ambati Rayudu (18, 15 balls, 1 four, 1 six) scored 45 runs for the fourth wicket in fast time before the former perished going for an attacking shot on the off-side off Sakariya.
Sakariya struck again a few balls later, getting Raina to hit a straight drive to Morris at mid-off, reducing CSK to 125 for six in the 15th over.
Rayudu struck consecutive sixes off successive deliveries in Tewatia’s second over, scoring 14 runs as he and Raina tried to exploit Royals skipper Samson’s fifth and sixth bowlers (Tewatia and Riyan Parag).
Tewatia had started off well, conceding just five runs in his first over and dismissing Moeen Ali (26 off 20). Ruturaj Gaikwad’s woes continued as he miscued a pull in an effort to strike his way out, only for it to be lobbed to Shivam Dube off Rahman.
After adding 25 runs for the first wicket with fellow opener du Plessis, he was dismissed for 10 (13 balls, 1 four). In the fifth over, the South African waded into Jaydev Unadkat, hammering three fours and one six before succumbing to Morris’ bowling with an aggressive attempt.