Rajasthan Secure Top 2 Finish With A 5 Wicket Win Over Defending Champions Chennai

IPL 2022: Rajasthan Royals will meet Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 after an important win against defending champions Chennai Super Kings.

RR vs CSK IPL 2022: Rajasthan Royals secured a top 2 finish in the points table with a 5 wicket win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in their last league stage match of IPL 2022. 

Chasing a target of 151, Royals lost Orange Cap holder Jos Buttler in the second over by Simarjeet Singh. However, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal played comfortably as an aggressor, etching a partnership of 51 runs in 41 deliveries with Sanju Samson, before the skipper was dismissed in the 9th over by Mitchell Santner. 

Yashasvi was later dismissed in the 15th over by Solanki after scoring 59 runs in 44 deliveries with 8 fours & a six while chasing a target of 151.

Devdutt Padikkal, who has been in good form, was dismissed for mere 3 runs in the 12th over by Moeen Ali. Ravichandran Ashwin, who was sent to bat at #5, scored an unbeaten 40 runs in 23 deliveries with 2 fours & 3 sixes. After Prashant Solanki dismissed Shimron Hetmyer (6), Ashwin & Riyan Parag (10*) held the crease to take the team to an important win. 

For CSK, Simarjeet Singh, Mitchell Santner & Moeen Ali picked up 1 wicket each while spinner Prashant Solanki picked up 2 wickets in the form of Shimron Hetmyer & opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. 

In the first innings, Moeen Ali displayed a proper show of fireworks in the powerplay, guiding Chennai Super Kings to 150/6 against Rajasthan Royals. 

Moeen Ali came out to bat in the second over and was dismissed in the last over against Obed McCoy after scoring 93 runs in 57 deliveries with 13 fours & 4 sixes. MS Dhoni, who came out to bat in the 11th over, scored 26 runs off 28 deliveries with a four & a six before getting dismissed against Chahal in the 19th over. 

For RR, NZ pacer Trent Boult yet again struck in the first over as he dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad for 2 runs on the last delivery of the first over. However, he was taken for 26 runs by Moeen Ali in the 6th over. After Moeen plundered through the powerplay, taking the Chennai total to 75/1 after 6 overs, RR spinners took charge. 

Yuzvendra Chahal & Ravichandran Ashwin stopped the flow of runs while picking up regular wickets as Moeen Ali held one end. Despite a 52-ball-51 run partnership between Moeen & MS Dhoni, Rajasthan bowlers didn't let CSK get to a massive total. 

Ashwin dismissed Devon Conway while Chahal regained the Purple cap, dismissing Ambati Rayudu (3) & MS Dhoni. Obed McCoy also picked up two wickets - Moeen Ali & N Jagadeesan (1).

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni won the toss & opted to bat first against Rajasthan Royals in the 26th match of IPL 2022. Rajasthan Royals have a chance to secure a top 2 spot while Chennai Super Kings, who are already eliminated, would be looking to end the tournament on a winning note. This match was played at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai.

Brief Score:

• Chennai Super Kings - 150/6 (Moeen - 93(57), McCoy - 2/20)
• Rajasthan Royals - 151/5 in 19.4 overs (Yashasvi - 59(44), Solanki - 2/20)