Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spin-bowling all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja was unplayable for a period of time at Chepauk Stadium in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, as RR beat CSK by three runs in a last-ball thriller.
While in CSK vs RR clash, R. Ashwin picked two wickets and later was awarded player of the match for his all-round performance, while in the game Jadeja registered 21/2 and helped Sanju Samson-led side to restrict them to 175/8.
Ravichandran Ashwin praised opponent bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja and Sandeep Sharma-
“I really like his commitment and attitude. He is someone who will fight and doesn’t get flustered, even at 7 needed off 3, he was fine and had his own plan and wanted to deliver what he could deliver. I feel going full to MS Dhoni at that time is not the best option. So yeah, going forward it’s a lesson learnt but phenomenal from Sandeep,” said ace-Indian off-spinner on Sandeep Sharma.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) pacer, Sandeep Sharma was able to defend the 176-run target against MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs RR clash, while in the 20th over, Sandeep has to defend 21 runs against Dhoni and Jadeja, while he held his nerves after getting hit for two sixes, eventually in the match RR beat CSK by 3 runs.
“How can I just walk up to bat higher up the order on my own? Every single match that we play, I am padded up either as a showpiece or a batter. I’m ready to go anytime. If you put a batter in that position, they might not be willing to bat at any position, but for someone like me, who doesn’t bat as much throughout the season, I’m glad that I get the opportunity,” he further added.
Ash Anna supremacy in Chennai ?#RavichandranAshwin #RR #CSKvsRR #IPL2023 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/ZJkls77Tgo
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 12, 2023
Whereas in the RR’s last clash, Ashwin came in 5th position to bat for inaugural edition champions, ahead of Shimron Hetymer, Whereas veteran Indian spinner played a good knock and smashed two sixes and one boundary.
“I felt like I was playing a Test match when Jadeja was bowling. These are the things that we will encounter with different teams in different home grounds. I just felt it was perfect for the left-arm spinner to hit that spot, the side spin at good speed. Jadeja was unplayable for those 2-3 overs, the ball was spinning from outside leg stump sometimes,” concluded Ashwin on CSK vs RR match.
While in the game (CSK vs RR), MS Dhoni-led CSK won the toss and opted to field first, Sanju Samson-led RR batted first and posted 175/8 in 20 overs, Jos Buttler scored a brilliant 50 at the top of the order, essential contribution by Ravichandran Ashwin 30 (22) and Shimron Hetymer 30 (18), helped visitors to post a fighting total.
In the chase, CSK’s opener Devon Conway scored the brilliant 50 (38) balls, and Ajinkya Rahane chipped in at one down position with 31 (19), but after Conway got dismissed when CSK was 113-6 in 15 overs, the star duo of Dhoni and Jadeja took the game to the last over, but fell short of three runs, after 21 runs were needed in last over.
Now, the Chennai-based side has lost and won two games each, in IPL 2023, now they will be up against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Bengaluru on April 17.
Also read: IPL 2023: Sanjay Manjrekar Highlights The Mutual Respect Between MS Dhoni And Ravichandran Ashwin