The Rajasthan Royals registered a cruising win over Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, thus jumping to the top of the table in the 2023 Indian Premier League. After posting a mammoth score of 202/5 in 20 overs, the RR restricted MS Dhoni's men to 170/6, thus securing a 32-run victory. RR also maintained their unbeaten record intact against the Super Kings this year, having beaten them by three runs in their first match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The Royals had made a blistering start to the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal (77 off 43 deliveries) taking the CSK bowlers to cleaners. The visitors did made a comeback during the middle overs, dismissing Jos Buttler, Yashasvi, and captain Sanju Samson in quick succession, and it could've been another a fourth in the 16th over, had CSK pacer Matheesha Pathirana not come in the way of a throw from MS Dhoni.
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After left-handed batter Shimron Hetmyer fails to time his pull shot, Dhoni quickly collects the ball and aimed at the stumps at the non-striker's end. However, Pathirana got in the way of the throw, resulting in the ball slowing down significantly.
Dhoni wasn't happy with the Sri Lankan youngster as he made animated gestures; Pathirana, too, was disappointed and passed a wry smile at the mistake.
{{/usCountry}}Dhoni wasn't happy with the Sri Lankan youngster as he made animated gestures; Pathirana, too, was disappointed and passed a wry smile at the mistake.
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Hetmyer, though, was dismissed in the very next over but Dhruv Jurel (34 off 15 balls) and Devdutt Padikkal (27* off 13 balls) produced a stunning power-hitting display to guide the side to a 200+ score in Jaipur.
In the run-chase, Rutruaj Gaikwad (47) and Shivam Dube (52) made important contributions but other batters couldn't step up to the occasion, as Devon Conway (8), Ajinkya Rahane (15) and Ambati Rayudu (0) all departed cheaply.
The Super Kings dropped to third spot in the table following the defeat on Thursday night, behind the Royals and Gujarat Titans. MS Dhoni's side has five wins from 8 matches so far.