Put in to bat first, RR reached a score of 151-7, Largely due to a racy powerplay and then a brisk last 5 overs with specifically 54/3 and 48/1 in those phases.

Changes in the XI

RR
In: Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Jaydev Unadkat
Out: Prashanth Chopra, Sudhesan Midhun, Krishnappa Gowtham

CSK
In: MitchellSantnor & Shardu Thakur
Out: Harbhajan Singh & Scott Kuggeleijn

Ajinkya Rahane was trapped LBW by Chahar and was eventually dismissed by virtue of a typical Dhoni special DRS call which came in the nick of time. Rahane's 14 runs came off 14 balls with 3 fours.

The next over, The fourth over of the match which was bowled by Thakur, Saw Butler's hat trick of fours, As well as the dismissal of the English keeper. Jos lost his shape completely in the process of lofting the ball and Rayudu eventually held on to the ball at Extra cover region. This brought an end to Butler's blitz, 23 off 10 balls with four fours and a six.

Sanju Samson mistimed a sweep and got out caught to the substitute fielder, Shorey; off Santner's bowling. Shorey took a Juggling catch to send Samson off for a run a ball 6. Soon after, Rahul Tripathi was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja; As Kedhar Jadhav took a smart catch at backward point. Rahul Tripathi's contribution was 10 runs.

Steve Smith couldn't contribute much either, As he fell as Ravindra Jadeja's 100th IPL wicket, After an extremely tired 15 off 22. Rayudu took the catch at Deep mid-wicket. Debutant Ryan Parag fell as the next wicket, For 16 of 14 A short and wide delivery by Thakur, Created an edge that went to Dhoni and got the dismissal.

The final wicket of the RR innings, Was taken by Chahar as he bowled Ben stokes out. The Englishman scored 28 off 26 with 1 four. Shreyas Gopal 19* (7) 2x4 1x6 Jofra Archer 13*(12 ) 1x4 strung together a vital stand and made sure RR passed the 140 marks and eventually reach 150. Thakur's final over went for 18.

In the chase, Shane Watson was dismissed for a duck, by Kulkarni as he ended up playing down the wrong line. The ball breached his defense and clattered the stumps

The very next over, saw the dismissal of Raina, As the southpaw was indulging in a ball watching instead of running. Archer from short fine leg, Completed the process of the runout and Faf stood totally clueless at the other end. Raina's tally had four off four with a single scoring shot

To add fuel to the burning fire, Faf too fell, In an attempt to pull Unadkat. Rahul Tripathi took a stunning catch in the deep to see the exit of Faf for just 7 runs.

A brief stay of Kedhar Jadhav in which he scored just one run of the five balls he faced before getting out, Was put to an end by virtue of an amazing diving catch by stokes. Neither of Unadkat, Stokes or even Jadhav could have foreseen a dismissal of such a short and wide delivery. and a hard cut stroke. At that Juncture, CSK were tottering at 24/4 in 5.5 overs.

A 95 run stand between Rayudu and Dhoni lasted till the 18th over of the game. Yet, A zig-zag running catch by Shreyas Gopal off the bowling of Stokes ensured the exit of Rayudu. after a well made 57 off 47 with 2 fours and 3 sixes

From a stage of being 88/4 at the end of 14 overs, CSK needed 18 to win from the final 6 balls.

Jofra Archer bowled a stunning spell of 1-19 in four overs including a maiden. Only the penultimate over went for 12 runs. The final over was bowled by Stokes.

A six by Jadeja off the first ball, A six by Santner off the last ball A no-ball and a wide plus Dhoni's dismissal ... All were seen in the final over. Eventually, A calm Santner sent the ball over the ropes as it was always in his slot.

Dhoni's knock of 58 off 43 balls had 2 fours and 3 sixes plus a lot of running amidst pain and tiredness. In the end, His effort earned him the man of the match award too.

This victory is Dhoni's 100th victory as a captain in the IPL. A tournament record.

Post this 4 wicket heist, CSK's next match will be against KKR at Kolkata on Sunday Evening.

-Kumaran Kumanan

Pic Courtesy : iplt20.com