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Chennai vs Rajasthan Live Cricket Score, Match 17, Indian Premier League, 2018, April 20, 2018

CSK 204/5 (20)
Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 64 runs
RR 140/10 (18.3)
Match over
Commentary :
0.0 : Hello and warm welcome for game 17. It's a new venue for Chennai and they will be hosting the men from the pink city tonight in Pune. These were the two teams who missed the competition for a couple of years. Both these teams suffered a loss in their previous games and would be looking to make amends this time around. They find themselves in the middle of the points table for now and all they would want is to bag a win and step above. The sin of the coin is moments away...
Toss - Ajinkya Rahane calls it right at the toss and he decides to bowl first!
Ajinkya Rahane says it's a very good track and hopes for it to stay the same for the 40 overs. Adds the preparations have been good and everyone is looking forward to the game. Tells us that they have decided to change the combination tonight as Heinrich Klaasen and Stuart Binny come in for D'Arcy Short and Dhawal Kulkarni.
MS Dhoni smiles and says he can't comment anything about his back all he tells us is that, let's wait for the game to complete and then everyone can have a fair idea. Informs they have made a couple of changes as well. Murali Vijay and Harbhajan Singh make way for Suresh Raina and Karn Sharma.
The atmosphere in Pune is electrifying and they are making a lot of buzz to welcome their openers - Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu. The Rajasthan team is in a huddle near the boundary rope as Rahane is seen exchanging some last moment words. After that, they break the huddle and spread to their respective positions. Stuart Binny, who is playing his first game of the season will be steaming in first up with the ball. A slip in place for him. Here we go!!!
0.1 : S Binny to S Watson, A false start for Binny! Starts off with the front foot no ball, lands it full outside off, Watson pats it away towards cover.
Free Hit coming up...
S Binny to S Watson, FOUR! Make full use of the Free Hit, does Watto! Waits back for the slower delivery and smacks it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
0.2 : S Binny to S Watson, FOUR! Cracked away! That's a freebie again from Binny! Gives a bit of width outside off, Watson says thank you very much as he crunches it on the up. Pierces it through the gap at cover for back-to-back boundaries.
0.3 : S Binny to S Watson, On a back of a length outside off, punched towards the cover fielder off the back foot.
0.4 : S Binny to S Watson, Drops it on a back of a length outside off, Shane Watson punches it towards the cover fielder.
0.5 : S Binny to S Watson, Edged and dropped! Rahul Tripathi drops a regulation catch. That should have been taken. Watson gets an early life. Will he make them pay? On a fuller length and swinging away a shade. Shane leans ahead to drive it through the cover region but gets a thick edge which flies towards first slip where Rahul fluffs it. The ball rolls behind him and they sneak a single too.
0.6 : S Binny to A Rayudu, FOUR! That's rubbing salt on the wound! Fuller ball outside off, Rayudu jumps down the track and smokes it over extra cover for the third boundary of the over. 14 coming off the first over, not an ideal start for the hosts.
Krishnappa Gowtham will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Starts with a flatter delivery around middle and leg, worked away through mid-wicket for one.
1.2 : K Gowtham to A Rayudu, Goes back and tucks it towards square leg for one more.
1.3 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Tossed up outside off, pushed off the front foot towards cover.
1.4 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Quicker one on the stumps, Watson gets down to play the big slog but drags it off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket where Stokes does well to save two for his side.
1.5 : K Gowtham to S Watson, SIX! Wow! Sees the flight, makes a bit of room and lofts it cleanly over long off to bag the first maximum of the innings.
1.6 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Was that another chance? Oh yes! It was. Rahul Tripathi is the man again. This was though was a bit difficult one. Short and flat outside off, Watson ricks back to cut that away but hits it uppishly towards point. Rahul dives to his right but fails to hold on. They run one. 11 off the second over.
Jaydev Unadkat replaces Binny.
2.1 : J Unadkat to S Watson, On a length and outside off, punched towards cover where Samson makes a good stop.
2.2 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Stays back and looks to steer it towards third man but finds the point fielder.
2.3 : J Unadkat to S Watson, SIX! Shane Watson is going to make them pay for the dropped catches! On a fuller length outside off, Shane Watson stays deep in the crease and goes bang over extra cover for a maximum. Off the meat, that.
2.4 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Short and outside off, Watson looks to cut but it's too close to play that shot. Gets a bottom edge towards first slip.
2.5 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Pushed off the back foot towards the point fielder.
2.6 : J Unadkat to S Watson, SIX! My word, that's blazed over the fence! Touch short and on the stumps, Watson waits back and with a flat-bat he pumps it over the mid-wicket fence to pick another maximum to his name. He's up and running, folks. 12 off Jaydev's first one.
Ben Stokes to have a go now.
3.1 : Ben Stokes to A Rayudu, FOUR! Now Rayudu joins in the fun! Stokes begins with a short one on middle, Ambati swivels a touch and pulls it past the short fine leg fielder. No need to run for those.
3.2 : Ben Stokes to A Rayudu, Rayudu comes down the track but the length is short, he only manages to tap it away towards mid-wicket for a single.
3.3 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
3.4 : Ben Stokes to A Rayudu, Back of a length delivery, closer to the off stump line, Ambati looks to run it down but fails to get any wood on it.
3.5 : Ben Stokes to A Rayudu, Short of a length delivery outside off, cut away towards point for a single.
3.6 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, FOUR! Spoils the over with a boundary! Stokes sprays it on the pads, too easy for Watto as he moves inside the line and helps it on its way down to the fine leg fence. 48 comes up for the hosts in just 24 balls, that's some start.
Another change from Rahane. He brings Ben Laughlin into the attack now. This shows he is desperately in need for a breakthrough.
4.1 : Ben Laughlin to A Rayudu, Fuller delivery on middle, wristed towards the right of the mid on fielder for a single.
4.2 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, 50 comes up for Chennai! Short of a length delivery, angling in, tucked towards short mid-wicket fielder for a single.
4.3 : Ben Laughlin to A Rayudu, OUT! Edged and Rayudu departs! Ben Laughlin provides the breakthrough as he draws first blood. Ben hurls it on a length around off, too close to the body but Rayudu still attempts to play the cut shot. Gets an edge and Buttler behind the stumps doesn't drop these. Some relief for the visitors. Can they pick up one more to nullify the Powerplay?
Suresh Raina is the next man in. He is coming after an injury so it would be interesting to see how he goes about his business tonight.
4.4 : Ben Laughlin to S Raina, Raina is off the mark with a clip towards mid-wicket.
4.5 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, Good length delivery, angling in, worked behind square on the leg side for a single.
4.6 : Ben Laughlin to S Raina, In the air... lands safe! Banged in short on middle, angling away and it rises off the deck as well. Raina looks to pull but is in no position to play. Gets it off the high portion of the bat and much to his delight, the ball falls down safely in the mid-wicket region. The man from mid on mops it up as the batsmen take a single. A successful over comes to an end.
5.1 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, On a length, it's bowled with the cross seam, Suresh Raina looks to dab it away but gets a thick inside edge on the pads.
5.2 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, Very full and curling back in, Raina bunts it back to Stokes.
5.3 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, FOUR! Superbly done! Good length delivery, slanting across the southpaw, Raina makes room, gets down on one knee and lifts it inside out over extra cover for a boundary.
5.4 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, FOUR! Too easy! That was a poor delivery! Length delivery on leg, Raina works it off his thigh pad down to the fine leg fence.
5.5 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, FOUR! That's even poor from Stokes! Full toss on the pads, all Raina had to do was to get some bat on it. He walks across and deflects it down to fine leg fence again. Three in a row for Raina.
5.6 : Ben Stokes to S Raina, FOUR! Make that four in a row! Stokes drags his length back and angles it away on a shorter length outside off. Raina waits for it and since there is no slip in the place, he just opens the face of the bat. Still gets it off the outer half of the bat through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary. 16 coming off the over and Chennai end the Powerplay on a high, 69/1 reads their score.
Strategic break taken.
Krishnappa Gowtham is called back to roll his arm over.
6.1 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Flat and quick on middle, Watson scoops it over fine leg and picks up two.
6.2 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Quicker one and skidding off the deck, Watson misses his tuck and wears it on the pads.
6.3 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Dropped short on the stumps, pulled behind square on the leg side for one.
6.4 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Raina tries clipping it away but fails to do so and gets hit on the pads.
6.5 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
6.6 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Tossed up outside off, Watson chips it down to long off. It bounces before the fielder and a single is taken.
Now Shreyas Gopal is brought on to bowl.
7.1 : S Gopal to S Watson, Flighted delivery on middle, drilled down to long on for a single.
7.2 : S Gopal to S Raina, Flat and quicker around middle and off, pushed back to the bowler.
7.3 : S Gopal to S Raina, Googly around middle and leg, worked away through square leg for a single.
7.4 : S Gopal to S Watson, Watson hangs deep in the crease and punches it with strong bottom hand down to long on, a single taken.
7.5 : S Gopal to S Raina, Fired full around leg, Raina gets down to play the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. A stifled appeal from the bowler but it was pitching outside leg.
7.6 : S Gopal to S Raina, Around middle and leg, swept through backward square leg to retain strike.
8.1 : K Gowtham to S Raina, Chance of a run out! Raina clips it towards the left of the bowler and sets off. Gowtham charges towards the ball, picks it up and tries to score a direct hit at the bowler's end but is way off target. Rahane was up to the stumps and had he thrown it to his skipper, would have been sensible as Raina was not even in the frame. Risky single!
8.2 : K Gowtham to S Watson, SIX! Whatttt power! Gowtham does the crime of dropping it short, Shane camps back and flat-bats it over Stokes at long on who had no chance. Fifty for Shane and it's his 15 of the tournament.
8.3 : K Gowtham to S Watson, FOUR! More runs! Another one on the shorter side, flatter through the air, Watson slams it off the back foot, past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.
8.4 : K Gowtham to S Watson, SIX! Boom! Now he tosses it up around off, Watson sits down on one knee and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.
8.5 : K Gowtham to S Watson, Punches this short ball towards sweeper cover and takes one.
8.6 : K Gowtham to S Raina, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 19 off the over, hugeeee one.
Jaydev Unadkat is back on.
9.1 : J Unadkat to S Raina, On a length and around middle and off, Raina pushes it back to the bowler.
9.2 : J Unadkat to S Raina, Leading edgeeeee... This one seemed to have stopped a bit on the surface, Raina looks to work it away off the pads but gets a leading edge which nearly pops back to the bowler. Unadkat looks to dive forward and take it but the ball falls short.
9.3 : J Unadkat to S Raina, Once again is early into the shot is Raina, still manages to work it away past the bowler for a single.
9.4 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Waits for the ball to come and taps it in front of the point fielder for a single. So far so good for Unadkat.
9.5 : J Unadkat to S Raina, FOUR! Not anymore from Jaydev! Short delivery outside off, Raina backs away and flays it over point to bring the up the 50-run stand between him and Watson.
9.6 : J Unadkat to S Raina, FOUR! They keep coming for Chennai! Short delivery, angles in on middle and leg, Raina hops across and pulls it past the short fine leg fielder for back-to-back boundaries.
Ben Laughlin is back on.
10.1 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, Starts off with a fuller length ball on off, Watson drives it to long off for a run.
10.2 : Ben Laughlin to S Raina, FOUR! Trademark Raina! He makes room and Laughlin feeds him the delivery which he wanted. Outside off and on a length. Raina slaps it through covers and the ball races away.
10.3 : Ben Laughlin to S Raina, WIDE! Raina would feel he missed an opportunity there. Ben bowls a slower one down the leg side. Raina misses the pull and it goes into the hands of the keeper.
Ben Laughlin to S Raina, On the pads again, Raina flicks it fine but fine leg is on the ropes and hence only a single.
10.4 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, SIX! FLAT! Watson picked the bones out of that one! Short and on middle, it sits up to be hit. Watson rocks back and pulls it hard through square leg and it goes all the way. This is turning out to be another expensive over.
10.5 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single.
10.6 : Ben Laughlin to S Raina, Slower and fuller on off, Raina eases it down to long off for a run. 15 from the over.
Shreyas Gopal is back on.
11.1 : S Gopal to S Raina, FOUR! Boundary off the first ball, pressure on the bowler. It was the quicker one and on the fuller side outside off. Raina slices it over the point fielder and the ball races away.
11.2 : S Gopal to S Raina, The googly on the pads, Raina goes for the sweep but misses.
11.3 : S Gopal to S Raina, FOUR! Up and over! This is bread and butter for Raina. The googly and on off, on the fuller side. Raina goes inside out, a shot which he plays very well. He times it to perfection and it goes over covers for a boundary.
11.4 : S Gopal to S Raina, Fires it outside off, Raina tries to cut but misses. So 4,0,4,0 is how this over reads till now.
11.5 : S Gopal to S Raina, WIDE! Down the leg side and the umpire calls it a wide. Do not know why Raina tried to kick the ball away as the ball hit the keeper's pads and then was going onto the stumps. He wanted to be sure though, just shows how much he values his wicket.
S Gopal to S Raina, OUT! In the air... and that is a stunner by Gowtham! Gopal gets the wicket but a lot of credit has to be given to Krishnappa. Gopal bowls a googly once again on middle, Raina goes for another boundary as he brings out the slog sweep. He hits it flat towards deep mid-wicket where Gowtham runs to his left, dives forward and takes it inches above the ground. A much-needed wicket for Rajasthan. They have broken the 81-run stand. An enterprising innings by Raina comes to an
MS Dhoni walks in next.
11.6 : S Gopal to S Watson, Loopy ball on off, Watson keeps it out. Yes, it was an expensive over but Gopal got the vital breakthrough.
Stuart Binny is back into the attack.
12.1 : S Binny to MS Dhoni, Walks down the track and gets a ball on leg stump. Dhoni flicks it fine towards fine leg for a run.
12.2 : S Binny to S Watson, FOUR! With fine leg up this is a poor, poor delivery. On the pads, Watson flicks it fine and the ball races away towards the fence.
12.3 : S Binny to S Watson, FOUR! Third man and fine leg up, the bowler hardly has any margin for error. This one is on a length and just outside off. Watson is provided the slightest of room and that is enough. He guides it past backward point and the ball races away.
12.4 : S Binny to S Watson, WIDE! Pressure getting to Binny. Down the leg side and the umpire calls it a wide.
S Binny to S Watson, FOUR! 14 from the over so far! Binny is not going to be spared here! A bumper on middle. He should not be bowling that at his pace. Watson rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket and the ball races away. Third boundary in the over.
12.5 : S Binny to S Watson, Fuller on the pads, flicked through square leg for a run.
12.6 : S Binny to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Finesse! Four boundaries from the over. 150 is up and there are 7 more overs to go. On a length and around off, Dhoni opens the face of the bat and guides it through backward point for a boundary.
Second strategic break signaled!
13.1 : S Gopal to S Watson, Starts off with a half-tracker on middle, Watson pulls it through square leg. The fielder in the deep does well and he keeps it down to one.
13.2 : S Gopal to MS Dhoni, OUT! Gopal strikes AGAIN! Krishnappa Gowtham takes another fabulous catch. The youngster is proving to be a handy fielder for Rajasthan. Dhoni comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball but he cannot get underneath it. He smashes it towards Gowtham at long on. The fielder times his jump to perfection but could not hang on to it in the first attempt. He shows great match awareness to react quickly and take it on the second attempt. A big wicket for Rajasthan as
Sam Billings walks out to the middle.
13.3 : S Gopal to Sam Billings, Tosses it up on off, Billings pushes it to covers.
13.4 : S Gopal to Sam Billings, Uses his feet but comes down a little too early. Gopal sees that and bowls the googly. Billings tries to flick but gets hit on the pads.
13.5 : S Gopal to Sam Billings, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
13.6 : S Gopal to S Watson, Flatter on middle, Watson works it around the corner for a run. Just 3 runs from this over. A good one by Gopal, he is the only bowler who has bowled with sheer control. 3-0-16-2 are his figures!
Jaydev Unadkat is back on.
14.1 : J Unadkat to S Watson, FOUR! Streaky but Watson will take it! A short ball on off, this one is too close to cut but Watson goes ahead with the shot. He gets an outside edge which goes past the keeper and into the third man fence.
14.2 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Short again on middle, Watson pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.
14.3 : J Unadkat to Sam Billings, Length ball on off, Billings guides it to point.
14.4 : J Unadkat to Sam Billings, Fuller on off, Billings drives it uppishly but well short of the man at deep cover for a run.
14.5 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Another short ball on middle, Watson pulls it hard towards deep square leg for a run.
14.6 : J Unadkat to Sam Billings, Another slower ball on off, Billings drives it towards long off and will keep strike.
15.1 : S Gopal to Sam Billings, OUT! Another one bites the dust! So a good passage of play here for Rajasthan and once again it is Gopal who strikes. He gets his third. This one is flatter and on the shorter side on middle, Billings rocks back and pulls it hard and flat but straight to Ben Stokes at deep mid-wicket who does not make a mistake.
0.0 : Dwayne Bravo is the next man in.
15.2 : S Gopal to D Bravo, The googly on off, Bravo defends it.
15.3 : S Gopal to D Bravo, On the shorter side, Bravo whips it down to long on for a run.
15.4 : S Gopal to S Watson, Fires it on the stumps, Watson works it through mid-wicket and bags a brace.
15.5 : S Gopal to S Watson, The googly outside off, Watson tries to cut but chops it to point. A dot.
15.6 : S Gopal to S Watson, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. End of Gopal's spell. He finishes with figures of 4-0-20-3. Exceptional, especially when the opposition is going at above 10 per over.
Ben Laughlin is back on.
16.1 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, FOUR! Welcome back, Laughlin. Shorter in length and outside off, Watson cuts it through point and the ball races away.
16.2 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, On a length around middle, Watson pushes it down to long on for a run. He moves onto 99.
16.3 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, FOUR! Very smart by Bravo, excellently played! This one was short and on off, Bravo rocks back and pulls it fine through the leg side for a boundary.
16.4 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Shorter in length on middle, Bravo ducks under it.
16.5 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Dances down the track but Laughlin sees him do that. He bangs it short. Bravo goes for the cut but misses.
16.6 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Slower ball on middle, Bravo flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a run. This means Watson will not be on strike.
Jaydev Unadkat is back on.
17.1 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, On the pads, flicked throughs square leg for a run.
17.2 : J Unadkat to S Watson, There it is. CENTURY FOR SHANE WATSON, take a bow! His third in the Indian T20 League. If it was Gayle yesterday, it's Watson tonight. Making the most of the reprieves. Got a life twice and see what he has done in response - tore the opposition apart! Taps this length ball towards point and gets to the other end. He takes his helmet off and raises his bat towards the crowd. His wife is a happy lady and the entire Pune crowd is on its feet to laud the effort. Well pla
17.3 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, Good slower ball on middle, Bravo swings but is deceived by it. A good over till now, 2 from the first 3 balls.
17.4 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, FOUR! Picked his spot to perfection! Knew point was up in the ring. He made room and gets a short ball on off, a poor length by Unadkat. Dwayne cuts it over point and the ball races away.
17.5 : J Unadkat to D Bravo, DROPPED! Tough chance but this could have been taken! Short and outside off, Bravo goes for the similar shot which he played on the last ball. This time though he did not get any elevation. It goes towards point where Samson leaps and tries to take it but can't hang on. A run taken. This could prove very costly as Bravo is someone who can hit big towards the end.
17.6 : J Unadkat to S Watson, Excellent save by Gopal! Watson slashes at this one and gets an outside edge. It goes flying towards third man where Gopal runs towards the ball and dives ahead. The ball lands just short and Gopal does well to stop it from crossing the rope. A couple taken.
Ben Stokes is back on.
18.1 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, FOUR! How has that gone to the fence? Bravo was completely deceived there but still got it away for a boundary. A slower one on middle, Bravo swings early but gets it through backward square leg and the ball races away.
18.2 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, Eases it down to long on for a run.
18.3 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, A good short ball by Ben Stokes. Watson is surprised as he is late onto the pull shot and gets beaten.
18.4 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, Length again on middle, Watson places it in the gap in the mid-wicket region for a couple.
18.5 : Ben Stokes to S Watson, In the air... but does not carry! Watson looks to clear long on but does not time it. It goes on the bounce to Gowtham for just a single.
18.6 : Ben Stokes to D Bravo, FOUR! Just over! Dances down the track and goes inside out. Connects well and the ball flies just over the leaping cover fielder for a boundary.
Ben Laughlin to bowl the last over.
19.1 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, Slower full toss on the stumps, Watson gets down to play the paddle scoop but gets it off the toe end of the bat towards square leg for one.
19.2 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Edged but short! Full and outside off, Bravo swings hard. The ball takes the edge but goes on the bounce to the keeper.
19.3 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, A bumper which goes above the batsman's head and the umpire calls it a wide.
Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Fuller on middle, Bravo gets it off the inner half through mid-wicket for a brace. No boundaries in the over yet. Turning out to be a good one.
19.4 : Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Wide outside off, Bravo misses the cut and the umpire calls it a wide.
Ben Laughlin to D Bravo, Another yorker outside off, Bravo jams it out towards covers for a run. Just a single.
19.5 : Ben Laughlin to S Watson, OUT! So the good over by Laughlin continues as he gets the wicket of Watson. End of an excellent innings and he walks off to a standing ovation. A full ball outside off, Watson tries to go downtown but gets an outside edge which goes into the mitts of Buttler behind.
Ravindra Jadeja comes out to bat.
19.6 : Ben Laughlin to R Jadeja, A couple to end the over! No boundary in the last over, an excellent one by Ben. A full ball outside off, Jadeja works it off the inner half towards wide long on. The batsmen complete one and they go for the second. The throw comes in towards Ben who fails to collect it and dislodges the bails with his hand. 204 IS WHAT CHENNAI FINISH WITH!
So an outstanding batting performance by Chennai on the back of a Watson ton comes to an end. The were put into bat and they made full use of the conditions. They got off to a flier and ended up with 69 with the loss of one wicket in the Powerplay. Raina and Watson then continued the hitting with both stitching a 81-run stand in 44 balls to set the platform. They looked on course for 220-plus at one stage but a few wickets in the middle overs helped Rajasthan apply the breaks on the scoring. How
Only one bowler in the Rajasthan ranks impressed. Shreyas Gopal, the leggie continued his good form with the ball. When all others were going for runs, he was economical and picked up three wickets. He though lacked support from the rest as they were hit all around the park. They now have a massive task ahead of them. The wicket is a beauty and they do have a powerful batting line-up. We have seen a score over 200 being chased before in this tournament. Can Rajasthan do it? We shall find out soo