PINK TRIUMPHS OVER YELLOW: RR does the double over CSK with 32-run win

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Royals returned to winning ways after a two-match losing streak beating Chennai Super Kings by 32 runs in the IPL here on Thursday. The win helped Rajasthan move to the top of the table with 10 points in 8 matches, while Chennai dropped to third with 10 points from 8 games.

Set to chase 203, Chennai lost the in-form Devon Conway for 8 off 16 balls to Adam Zampa (3/22) in the sixth over. Zampa was the pick of the bowlers also accounting for Ruturaj Gaikwad (47 off 29b, 5x4, 1x6) and Moeen Ali (23). The burly Shivam Dube continued his good form scoring 52 (33b, 2x4, 4x6) and he perished off the last ball of the match.

Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal once again displayed his talent with a superb 77 before Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal provided the final flourish to take Rajasthan to a competitive 202 for five.

Opening the innings, Jaiswal (77 off 43b, 8x4, 4x6) started on an aggressive note, hitting boundaries all around the ground. Padikkal (27 not out) and Jurel (34 off 15b, 3x4, 2x6) added 48 runs towards the fag end of the innings to register the highest total at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Jaiswal targeted Akash Singh (0/32), hitting three fours in the very first over. The youngster hit the first ball of the match wide over cover and then sent the next two to deep extra cover and deep midwicket for the same result.

The Rajasthan opener then went on to collect 18 runs off Singh’s second over. Jaiswal sent the ball to the boundary three times and also launched one for a six over long on.

With Tushar Deshpande (2/42) and Singh being punished, CSK skipper MS Dhoni introduced spin in the form of Maheesh Theekshana (1/24), who bowled a good opening spell.

Jaiswal, however, raced to his half century in 26 balls. Jos Buttler too joined the party, hitting a few boundaries. Together the two stitched an 86-run opening stand before the Englishman’s sedate 27-run knock was brought to an end by Ravindra Jadeja (1/32). The CSK bowlers were able to restrict the boundaries after the wicket and then fashioned a mini batting collapse.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 202/5 in 20 overs (Y Jaiswal 77) bt Chennai Super Kings 170/6 in 20 overs (S Dube 52, R Gaikwad 47, A Zampa 3/22)