IPL 2022, RR vs CSK: Ashwin's all-round show seals top-two finish for Rajasthan Royals

Ashwin's unbeaten 23-ball 40 takes Royals home, ensures top-two finish
Rajasthan Royals entered the game against Chennai Super Kings with clear intent to snatch away the second berth from Lucknow Super Giants. But CSK made it tough from them, almost choking them before Ravichandran Ashwin's experience and calm nerves ensured Royals a five-wicket win at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday.
AS IT HAPPENED | SCORECARD | POINTS TABLE
Chasing 151, Royals began in a chancy fashion and lost Jos Buttler early, but opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (59 off 43 balls) played the perfect anchor before Ashwin struck a fluent, unbeaten 40 off 23 balls to take the team home.
Again, it was collective potential and zeal that proved too strong for CSK. Sanju Samson's Royals will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 24.

Earlier, CSK's Moeen Ali went ballistic in the Powerplay en route a 57-ball 93 laced with 13 fours and three sixes.
CSK scored 75/1 in the Powerplay, of which 55 runs came from Moeen's bat, but they slowed thereafter, kept losing wickets and eventually finished short.

The competent Royals bowling attack worked its way back after being pushed to the wall. Having failed to overcome Moeen's concentration and skill, bowlers instead feasted on other batters' failure to adapt and implement.
Unlike the Englishman, who made most of the wicket on offer, other CSK batters put in only brief appearances, a reminder of how the season has been one of missed opportunities for the men in yellow.

With figures of 4-0-20-2, left-arm seamer Obed McCoy was Royals' stand- out bowler. Yuzvendra Chahal was not far behind with figures of 4-0-26-2 which helped him get back the Purple Cap.
Quite impressively, the Royals bowlers succeeded in putting pressure back on CSK, but Ashwin stole all the attention in the end with bat in hand!