The Rajasthan Royals have chased the target down after looking they are down and out. Excellent innings from Jos Buttler who remained unbeaten on 95*. 8 needed of three balls, Buttler managed to power a maximum over mid-wicket, before running two (including one of an over throw) of the penultimate ball to seal a four wicket win for the hosts in Jaipur.
After 18 overs, the Royals are staring at defeat against the experienced CSK. Buttler is still at the batting crease on 81 and has been joined by K Gowtham after the Stuart Binny's initial efforts to pick up the pace of the chase saw him perish in a fashion that won't please him. All eyes will be on Buttler now to take the Royals home, but one senses that Dhoni has this planned out. He usually does in these situations. The Royals are 149/5
Big over for the CSK side as David Willey concedes eight runs at a time when Buttler and Binny needed more than 15 of the over. The pressure is on the Royals, and even though Buttler is managing the odd boundary an over, that won't be enough to get home in this chase. The early momentum is gone and the tide has shifted towards the CSK. Royals are 139/4 after 17 overs.
Nine runs of the over from the experienced Shane Watson as Jos Buttler struggles to adjust to the slower pace of the ball in the second half of the innings. Buttler, in his attempt to up the ante almost got caught and bowled as Watson let the ball slip through his hands above his head. Buttler though improvises with a reverse sweep to get a move on in the 16th over and take the score to 131/4
15 overs through for the Royals in the chase. Thakur's over after the time out started well for the Royals as they picked up seven runs of the first three balls, before the fast bowler applied the brakes on the batsmen. Buttler hasn't gotten a move on in the over and will need to do so soon. Royals are 122/4 after 15.
End of the 14th over, as Ravindra Jadeja finishes his quota of overs. Another 5 runs only of the over for the Royals who can only rotate the strike in the over and have to do without the big shots. Buttler has been joined by Stuart Binny and both will need to be watchful as a wicket at this stage could spell doom for the hosts. Royals are 114/4 after 14 overs.
Another good over from Shardul Thakur as the pressure builds on the hosts, Rajasthan Royals. The hosts take five runs of the over and even though they get the crucial boundary, there is not much more that has gone their way in the last few overs. Buttler is watching on from the other end with the Royals at 109/4 after 13 overs.
WICKET: Complete comedy of errors with miscommunication gifting the CSK side a wicket when the Royals were just getting their noses ahead. Samson sacrifices his wicket as Dwayne Bravo comfortably takes the throw from Raina and runs him out. Buttler stands at the other end with his head down knowing that this could have been avoided. Royals are 99/3
David Willey is brought back into the attack by Dhoni and once again both Buttler and Samson show patience and application as they rotate the strike in the first part of the over, before a streaky boundary comes by at third man. Willey gave away 10 runs of the over. Royals are 99/2 after 11 overs.
Captain cool MS Dhoni brings on Dwayne Bravo for the 10th over of the innings, and the experienced all-rounder does well to bring in the variations of pace right from the word go. Both the batsmen find it difficult to get him away as he bowls four dot balls. Royals take three of the over and at the half way stage are 88/2. They need another 89 runs of the final 10 overs.
End of Shardul Thakur's second over of the innings and he gets taken for seven runs in the over. Samson and Buttler are ensuring there is one boundary in every over to keep the run rate in check while they rotate the strike when the bad ball doesn't come about. Royals are 85/2 after 9 overs.
Another good over for the Royals as Karn Sharma is taken for some runs, even if it isn't all in the most convincing manner. Samson's powerful sweep shot was well saved by Sam Billings at the square-leg boundary, but that was followed up by a four at third man of the edge of the Buttler's bat. Karn Sharma conceded 11 runs of the over. Royals are 78/2 after 8 overs.
End of the seventh over for Rajasthan, and it is a good over for them as Jadeja is taken for ten runs. Buttler swatted him away with a reverse sweep to pick up a boundary in the over while a second attempted boundary was saved well by Ambati Rayudu and he managed only three runs for that. Royals are 67/2 after 7 overs and Jadeja is three overs down.
Good over for CSK once again as Jadeja dismissed the dangerous Rahane very cheaply. The left arm bowler conceded only seven runs and after having sent the opposing captain back to the hut, the pressure is back on the Royals who were not expecting this after a blistering start. Royals are 55/2 after 5 overs.
End of Harbhajan's second over where Buttler once again easily picked him up for a boundary on the leg side before handing strike over to Ben Stokes. The left-hander was living on the edge, but managed to take 10 runs of two balls with a huge six, before Bhajji bounced back to go through the gate and have him clean bowled.
A much better third over for the CSK side as Ravindra Jadeja concedes only six runs. Ben Stokes had a tough time facing him in the over, before he took a single and handed the task over to Buttler. The right hander's inside out shot over the off-side got him yet another boundary in the innings after which he took a single to end the over. Royals are 32/0 after 3 overs.
| Rank | Team | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 3499 | 125 |
| 2 | South Africa | 3589 | 112 |
| 3 | Australia | 3499 | 106 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 2354 | 102 |
| 5 | England | 3511 | 98 |
| FULL Ranking | |||
