With an easy win over Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals ascended to the top of the IPL 2023 table.
Yashasvi Jaiswal once again demonstrated his potential with a magnificent half-century before Rajasthan Royals spinners suffocated Chennai Super Kings to record a comfortable 32-run win and climb to the top of the IPL table on Thursday. Jaiswal (77 off 43) added his third fifty of the tournament before Devdutt Padikkal (24 not out) and Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15) gave the finishing flourish to record the greatest total of 202 for five at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Spinners Adam Zampa (3/22 in 3 overs) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/35) then shared five wickets between them to limit CSK to 170 for 6 despite the best efforts of Ruturaj Gaikwad (47) and Shivam Dube (52).
The Royals climbed to the top of the table with the win, while CSK dropped to third.
Unlike RR, CSK’s openers struggled until Gaikwad, who was dropped on four, broke free and smacked Jason Holder (0/49) for a four over mid on before hitting a six over deep backward square leg in the fourth over.
RR captain Sanju Samson increased the pressure by bowling spin from both ends, and the strategy paid off.
Devon Conway (8) struggled again, and with the needed run rate rising, he was forced to hit a Zampa delivery flat to Sandeep Sharma at mid off.
Unfazed by the wicket, Gaikwad continued to sneak boundaries every over to keep the scoreboard ticking till Zampa struck again to remove the dangerman.
At the midway point, CSK were 72 for two.
Ashwin (2/35) then dismissed Ajinkya Rahane (15) and “Impact Player” Ambati Rayudu (0), significantly reducing CSK’s hopes. But Dube had other ideas. He upped the ante, hitting several crucial sixes to give CSK some hope.
With four sixes and two fours, the all-rounder recorded his third consecutive half-century. However, he was unable to cross the line.
Earlier in the innings, Jaiswal got off to a fast start, smashing boundaries all over the field.
He struck three fours in the first over against Akash Singh (0/32). The teenager smashed the first ball of the match wide over cover, then sent the next two to deep extra cover and deep midwicket, both of which were caught.
The Rajasthan opener then scored 18 runs in Singh’s second over. Jaiswal hit the ball three times to the boundary and also hit one for a six over long on.
With Tushar Deshpande (2/42) and Singh out, CSK skipper MS Dhoni brought in spinner Maheesh Theekshana (1/24), who bowled a strong opening spell.
Jaiswal, on the other hand, stormed to his half-century in just 26 balls.
Jos Buttler also joined the celebration, breaking a few rules. They put up an 86-run opening stand before the Englishman’s quiet 27-run knock was ended by Ravindra Jadeja (1/32).
The CSK spinners were able to limit the boundaries following the wicket, resulting in a mini-batting collapse.
Deshpande returned for his second session and dismissed skipper Sanju Samson (17) as well as Jaiswal, who was hitting brilliantly, in the 14th over.
Theekshana then returned to dismiss the powerful Shimron Hetmyer (8).
Padikkl and Jurel then added 48 runs near the end of the inning.
