Staff Reporter.
Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal blasted a fine 77 from just 43 balls to lead his team to a compelling victory by 32-runs in their IPL match against the Chennai Super Kings at the Sawai Mansigh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday.
In the Royals’ 200th game as an IPL franchise it was the first time they had breached 200 at their home ground and their 202 for five was more than enough to account for the in-form Chennai who had won their previous three games.
CSK remained in contention until the final couple of overs but Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa (3-22) played a key role in restricting them to 170 in six in reply with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claiming 2-35 from his four overs.
Earlier Jaiswal struck eight fours and four sixes and dominated an opening stand with Jos Buttler who was happy to play a supporting role with 27 from 21 balls (4×4).
Captain Sanju Samson struggled during a run-a-ball 17 and prolific hitter Shimron Hetmyer managed just eight from 10 balls but the excellent start was not wasted Dhruv Jurel belting 34 from a mere 15 balls in the closing overs with three fours and two sixes. Devdutt Padikkal joined the party at the end with an unbeaten 27 from only 13 balls.
Prolific CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad blasted 47 from 29 balls and Shivam Dube finished with 52 from 33 balls but the run-chase always looked a vain one.
The home side now move into a three-way tie at the top of the log with 10 points from eight matches along with Chennai and the Gujarat Titans.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (captain/wkt), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Adam Zampa, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (captain/wkt), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.