Chennai complete a last ball win over Rajasthan Royals

Chennai Super Kings won a thriller on the last ball of the match with Dhoni scoring the winning couple of runs on the leg side. Rajasthan posted 146 on board earlier and despite the brakes being applied mid innings by Rajasthan, CSK managed to cross the line on the last delivery of the match sans some cool headed batting from their captain.

Rajasthan lost their prolific scorer Ajinkya Rahane (15) early to Ashwin’s spin. Dravid (26) and Owais Shah took the score to 50 before the former was dismissed. Menaria (36) and Shah (52) were then involved in a 92 run partnership which threatened to be the cornerstone of a big score for the Royals. However Ashwin, Jakati and Kulasekara were miserly in the last few overs and never let the innings take off for a grand finish. Rajasthan finished with a seemingly below par 146 after looking set for 160-170 at one stage.

Chennai had a brisk start and despite Badrinath’s 15 (22) slow progress, it was yet again du Plessis who gave Chennai the required start. The two stitched together a 55 run stand for the first wicket before Badrinath’s painful stay at the wicket ended as he tried to force things against a wily Hogg, and was stumped. Despite du Plessis’ 72 off 52 deliveries, none of the CSK batsmen were really able to have a flying start as Menaria, Cooper and Hogg kept them in check. With du Plessis’ dismissal, the match hung in balance and it was left to the captain cool Dhoni 16 (10) to take his team over the finishing line. With 2 required off the last ball of the innings, he flicked the ball to the leg side to complete a couple, and 4th victory for his team.

Scores:

Rajasthan Royals 146/4 (20/20 ov) (O Shah 52, A Menaria 36, N Kulasekara 1-19)

Chennai Super Kings 147/3 (20.0/20 ov) (F du Plessis 72, S Raina 26, B Hogg 1-18)

Man of the Match – F du Plessis