A late resurgence from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsmen helped them to post 175 runs after a fine bowling effort from Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) got off to a good start after they elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Chennai handed the debut cap to New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner while Rajasthan fielded the same playing XI. Jofra Archer, who went for plenty in the last game, made a strong comeback removing Ambati Rayudu in the second over. He along with his new ball partner Dhawal Kulkarni bowled a tight line and length giving no room to the Chennai Super Kings batters.
Dhoni leads Chennai Super Kings to 150+ score
Striving at one for one, Chennai would have wanted their senior statesmen, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina, to bail them out. But Ben Stokes got rid of Watson to in the fourth over to have the defending champions at 15 for two. The home side who have tried and tested with their batting order promoted Kedar Jadhav at the second drop, but he could manage only eight runs before Kulkarni got the better for him. Since then, Raina and skipper MS Dhoni played a patient game to steer their side out of danger. They added 61 runs for the fourth wicket before million-dollar man Jaydev Unadkat got the better of Suresh Raina (36).
The wicket of Raina brought Dwayne Bravo in the middle who showed intent on taking the Rajasthan Royals bowlers. On the other, MS Dhoni focused more on ones and two’s to keep the Chennai Super Kings’ scoreboard ticking. A 24-run over in 18th over off Dhawal Kulkarni guided Chennai to go over 150-run mark and in the process, Dhoni brought his 21st IPL fifty.
Although it looks like an average target but considering the slowness of the pitch it will be a tough task for the Rajasthan Royals batters.
Twitter Reactions:
And that was the MSD show!!!!! Take a bow, what a damn good innings from the ?! Trust the captain to get the team to a good score. Never leave @ChennaiIPL , Dhoni!!!! #CSKvRR
— A J (@aljohn96) March 31, 2019
Dhoni haters be like…???#CSKvRR #Dhoni #IPL2019 @ChennaiIPL @CSKFansOfficial @IPL @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/vWeCcMPPHc
— Krishna Daga (@dagakrishna22) March 31, 2019
Chepauk pitch needs a makeover. We are getting more groans than runs. Even Dhoni is not able to overcome the languor.?? #CSKvRR #IPL2019
— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) March 31, 2019
#Thala running in between the wickets is such a delight to watch! At 37 years this man is still as fit as a fiddle! Much respect and admiration! #CSKvRR #CSK #IPL2019
— Gowthami Boominathan (@Gow07988) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/pgautham/status/1112382382747746304
DHONI's Reaction When RAINA Got out..?#CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/DJP9byPXDY
— DHONI Trends™ (@TrendsDhoni) March 31, 2019
Csk fan right now ??#CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/T73iOKS9I3
— ️️️️ ️️️️️️️️️ ️️ ️️ ️️️️ ️️️️️ (@babu_saffron) March 31, 2019
MSD's bat from Spartan to SS and now BAS who is official sponsor for him? #CSKvRR #IPL2019
— Anil Singh (@im_anilsingh) March 31, 2019
#staraikelungal @RJ_Balaji #CSKvRR #CSKvsRR @SriniMaama16 pic.twitter.com/OAEAMyXiE1
— Happy? (@Happie_man) March 31, 2019
With strokeplay not easy, MS Dhoni has put on a fine exhibition of placing the ball and running between the wickets – IPL master at work #IPL2019 #IPLT20 #CSKvRR #Dhoni
— Sanjjeev (@Sanjjeev) March 31, 2019
SS to BAS!
Dhoni has changed more bat sponsors this #IPL than winning contributions!#CSKvRR
— Chandler Bing (@SarcasmChamp) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/RahulMi87109643/status/1112383379255644161
We need NIA to investigate the reason why franchises are willing to pay so much for Unadkat #CSKvRR
— YB (@barmare_yusuf) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/sandesssshh/status/1112383200678936576
https://twitter.com/itispalkova/status/1112383145293291520
Koi bol raha tha bravo is overrated ??#CSKvRR
— G O L G A P P A (@falana_dimkana_) March 31, 2019
Ajinkya you should step down as captain.. its not your cup of tea.. #CSKvRR
— Ram (@goforram) March 31, 2019
The whistle podu show by thala….#CSKvRR
— AADITYA ?? (@aaditya_borana) March 31, 2019
Day and night may be temporary, but MAHI is permanent.#Dhoni#CSKvRR
— sqinty (@Humsabramkehain) March 31, 2019
#Thala ??#CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/D1teslYhLP
— Dhanush? (@DhanushKd98) March 31, 2019