IPL 2018, RR vs CSK: 5 talking points from the match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Superkings
Jos Buttler continued his terrific run of form, bringing up his fourth consecutive half-century of the tournament as the Rajasthan Royals beat the much-fancied Chennai Super Kings in match 43 of IPl 2018 tonight at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur tonight.
The England wicketkeeper-batsman led from start to finish as the hosts won the contest by four wickets to move to 10 points in the 2018 IPL points table, thereby keeping alive their chances of progressing to the playoff stage of the tournament.
While Suresh Raina's 35-ball 52 powered CSK to a decent total of 176, it was overturned by the Royals who had Buttler to thank for yet another brilliant knock.
Here are the five major talking points from today's contest.
#5 Indifferent bowling from CSK costs them the game
As much as Buttler deserves praise for the manner in which he smashed his way to his fourth consecutive fifty this season, the CSK bowlers simply weren't good enough.
Though they pulled things back during the middle overs, the kind of start that Royals had left them in a very comfortable position towards the end.
The way Buttler started off it was clear that the total of 176 scored by CSK didn't look a tough total to chase anymore and despite the loss of two wickets in quick succession, Buttler and Sanju Samson maneuvered the innings superbly taking minimum risks as they set about chasing down the target.
They pulled things back towards the middle overs though as they tightened the screw on the run-rate with Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur both conceding less than 30 runs each off their four overs.
However, right when CSK were looking like they might have completed the turnaround, the final two overs saw the match slip away from their grips with Buttler and Krishnappa Gowtham helping earn Royals a truly remarkable win.
Dwayne Bravo, who for long has been CSK's go-to bowler in the death overs imply hasn't done justice to the tag this season.