Chennai Super Kings have made it to Play-offs once again in the IPL with a thrilling win in final over against Rajasthan Royals. Both the teams put on their efforts in a contest which was a nail-biting one and ended by the World Best Finisher MS Dhoni. Sportz Wiki brings you a special analysis of the RR-CSK game played at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Thrilling Encounter:
RR started well after wanted to bat winning the toss at their allotted home ground. The new Opening pair gamble worked for them as they gave a 50 opening stand. But with Jadeja bowling well in middle overs the rate slowed down. However even after Watson dismissed RR looked like scoring big with Binny and Nair at the crease. But once Nair fell RR’s innings slide down as they ended with 148/8 almost 20 short of the score what they have expected.
Chasing the moderate total, Ankit Sharma stuck CSK twice to leave them reeling but Du Plessis kept the CSK chase on which a decent partnerships with Smith and Ashwin. But despite of their efforts CSK needed 25 from last 2 overs. Jadeja smashed a six in penultimate over which gave 13 runs. But it was MSD the finisher who smashed a six to seize the game towards CSK. However Smith’s over throw helped CSK win but stopped MSD to score a winning hit.
The collapse that costed RR:
After a good start RR lost the plot in the last overs. It started with Nair who played a gem of innings in last game was dismissed of last ball of 15th over. 114/4 at end of 15 overs, RR could be hoping anything over 160 with Smith and Binny at the crease. But a tight over Ashwin costed just 6 runs. Mohit dismissed Smith and ended a danger. But Jadeja’s double strike in 19th over brought down RR’s expected score less than 15-20 runs.
Analysis of the best performers of the game.
R Jadeja – [4-0-18-2] & [11 runs Not Out, 6 balls; 1×6’s] {Man of the Match}:
Jadeja has been a decent performer with ball in the season. And in his home state he bowled better to see RR didn’t score much. He bowled two over spell during half stage mark and restricted the flow of runs putting the pressure on the batsman. But his second spell during death overs turned down RR’s hopes of scoring big. In his 3rd over Jadeja conceded 8 runs in spite of been hit for a six by Binny. Later in his final over Jadeja sent back Binny & Faulkner to pavilion.
Jadeja gave just 18 runs in his 4 overs of which 11 were dot balls along with 2 crucial wickets.
Jadeja against each batsman.
Jadeja came out to bat when his team need to score two runs a ball, Jadeja smashed a six and relive pressure of asking rate. For his display he was awarded with the Man of the Match.
Ankit Sharma – [4-0-20-2] & [30 runs, 27 balls; 6×4’s, 2×6’s]:
Ankit Sharma shined with both bat and ball for RR in his debut match itself. His impact was more with the ball though as he picked up crucial wickets. He opened the bowling for RR but despite of bowling the over really went for six as McCullum smashed him for six. But Ankit came back to remove him in the first ball of next over. Later in his third over he removed Top scorer of IPL, Suresh Raina.
He bowled tightly and conceded just 20 in his four. His 4 overs spell contained 14 dots and no batsman could play him freely.
Ankit against each batsman.
Earlier he opened the innings for RR with the bat too and scored a handy 30 runs. He took his time first playing against Badree but attacked Mohit and Ashwin before he was dismissed trying for a big shot.
Shane Watson – [51 runs, 36 balls; 3×4’s, 4×6’s]:
For the first time in the season Watson opened for RR and justified his move by playing a handy innings. He watched Badree in the beginning and hasn’t produce any lights except a six in the power play. But once field restrictions were lifted he started to play freely. He targeted Vijay Shankar hitting 2 sixers and a four in his single over. He brought by his fifty off 35 balls with a six of Mohit Sharma but was dismissed on the next ball itself.
He picked more runs on the leg side as he smashed all the four sixers on leg side itself.
S Watson against each bowler.
Dwayne Smith – [44 runs, 35 balls; 5×4’s, 2×6’s]:
Once again it was Smith who gave CSK the good start that was needed. He cleverly played against Ankit Sharma, best bowler of RR in the game without going against him. He opened up by smashing Faulkner down the ground twice in same over. Later he welcomed Tambe smashing him for back to back boundaries. He didn’t leave Bhatia too as he scored two fours of the 8th over.
Finally he was dismissed by Fellow West Indian Kevon Cooper in 10th over. Smith scored 44 out of 76, the CSK’s score when he was dismissed. Smith preferred to play down the ground mostly which is evident from his Wagon Wheel.
D Smith against each bowler.
Credits: ESPNCRICINFO & IPL T20 Websites for Statistical Pictures.