The IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings was an epic thriller that saw fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment. RR eventually claimed victory by a mere three runs, leaving the home crowd at Chepauk in a state of shock and awe. It was truly a battle for the ages, with each team giving it their all and delivering some spectacular moments that left us all breathless. Let’s take a closer look at the key performances that decided this historic match.
CSK Wins Toss and is Elected to Field
Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to restrict RR to a low total. The decision seemed to pay off early on, as RR struggled to get going against the CSK bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, and Akash Singh took two wickets each as CSK managed to limit RR to 175 runs.
Solid Partnership by Rahane and Conway
Conway X Rahane = Grace ^ 2#WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvRR 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/I7kw0R0HJw
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 12, 2023
In reply, CSK got off to a poor start, losing opener Ruturaj Gaikwad early to Sandeep Sharma’s bowling. However, Ajinkya Rahane and Devon Conway steadied the innings and built a solid partnership. Rahane was out on 31, while Conway made a half-century.
Late Heroics by Dhoni and Jadeja
7.8 Crore Whistles for #7 and #8 🥳#CSKvRR #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 @imjadeja @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/EFuKZYbXOV
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 13, 2023
Despite the late heroics of MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, who played some big shots towards the end, CSK fell short of the target by four runs. The RR spinners did well to derail the chase in the middle overs, and CSK lost the momentum, according to Dhoni, who was captaining the 200th game for his team.
Sandeep Sharma’s Calmness Under Pressure
The Chepauk stadium was abuzz with anticipation as Sandeep Sharma stepped up to defend a daunting 21 runs in the final over. With the Royals trailing for most of the match, Sharma held his nerve and delivered an exemplary performance, leading his team to a historic win after 13 long years. His composure and skill under pressure were hailed by all as he kept the Royals’ hopes alive, writing a new chapter in RR’s success story.
CSK Falls Agonisingly short of a fairy-tale finish
The CSK middle-order had crumbled, and the game seemed to be slipping away, but MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja refused to go down without a fight. The two veterans played with poise and skill, holding their own against the spinners in an attempt to take the game down to the wire. With only two overs of pace remaining, Jadeja unleashed a stunning assault on Sandeep Sharma, reducing a daunting 19 runs off 5 balls to just 7 off 3.
Chepauk was sent into a frenzy, but Sandeep held his nerve and delivered three perfect yorkers to save the Royals from defeat. In the end, CSK’s valiant effort fell just short of the target by three runs; a testament to Dhoni and Jadeja’s timeless experience and skill, but not enough for them to secure victory.
RR’s Buttler Wicket Cuts Short Death Surge
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals got off to a disappointing start, losing Buttler early in the innings. Wickets kept falling regularly at the other end, but Shimron Hetmyer struck some lusty blows for an 18-ball 30 and lifted the Royals to a competitive 175-8.
Despite the loss of wickets, the Royals managed to put up a competitive total, thanks to the contributions of several batsmen. Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded the Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance and contribution to the bat. He surprised everyone by batting higher up the order and played a crucial role in stabilising the innings after Sanju Samson’s dismissal.
Player of the Match: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ash Anna in Chennai: pic.twitter.com/upq9COGvSZ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 12, 2023
Ravichandran Ashwin’s all-around performance was crucial in securing a win for Rajasthan Royals. He surprised everyone by batting higher up the order and played a crucial role in stabilising the innings after Sanju Samson’s dismissal. He made 14 runs off 14 balls and helped Rajasthan Royals reach a competitive total of 175-8.
Ashwin’s performance with the ball was equally impressive, as he bowled four overs and took two wickets while conceding just 16 runs. He kept the CSK batsmen in check and was instrumental in halting their momentum in the middle overs.
RR – Right at the top
The win takes RR to six points from four matches, joint-top with LSG. The victory was a much-needed boost for the team and will give them the confidence to perform well in the upcoming matches.
The man, the myth, the legend. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IQJpqzQjiB
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 13, 2023
Bottom Line
It was a momentous victory for Rajasthan Royals at Chepauk Stadium. Despite losing the toss, they triumphed over the Chennai Super Kings and their raucous home crowd. It had been 12 long years since RR had last tasted victory at this very same venue, yet they were able to remain unfazed by the pressure and come out on top. This remarkable achievement is one that will surely be remembered for years to come. The match was a thriller for IPL fans, with both teams putting up a great fight. In the clash between CSK vs RR, both teams battled tooth and nail for victory. MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja were unstoppable for CSK, but Sandeep Sharma’s cool composure and Ravichandran Ashwin’s all-around masterclass gave Rajasthan Royals the edge needed to snatch victory. A moment of sheer brilliance that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball was bowled – this was IPL cricket at its finest!
