IPL 2018, Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals, Highlights: Shane Watson Shines As CSK Thrash RR By 64 Runs
IPL 2018, Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals Highlights: Shane Watson smashed a magnificent IPL century as Chennai Super Kings registered a comprehensive 64-run win over Rajasthan Royals on Friday.
Shane Watson smashed a magnificent IPL century as Chennai Super Kings registered a comprehensive 64-run win over Rajasthan Royals on Friday. CSK, forced out of Chennai due to the Cauvery dispute, were shepherded by the 36-year-old Australian, who hammered 106 from 57 balls to lead his side to a challenging 204 for five after being invited to bat. Making full use of a dropped chance in the very first over on a flat track, Watson swung his arms when the ball was pitched outside off and positioned himself nicely against short and straight deliveries to find boundary after boundary. Watson hit nine fours and six sixes in his entertaining knock as another senior player enthralled the fans after Chris Gayle and CSK captain MS Dhoni showed their vintage touch in previous matches of the League. Three early wickets pegged Royals back and they were all out for 140 in 18.3 overs. Royals' chase was spoilt when they lost three key batsmen inside Powerplay overs. They needed Sanju Samson (2), captain Ajinkya Rahane (16) and debutant Heinrich Klaasen (7) to fire at the top but all three could not make much contribution. Ben Stokes (45) and Jos Buttler (22) added 45 runs for the fourth wicket but the partnership broke when the latter was dismissed by Dwayne Bravo. Left-handed Stokes, who can turn the match on its head, was also dismissed soon and writing was clear on the wall. Watson shared a 50-run stand with fellow opener Ambati Rayudu (12) and then raised a 81-run partnership for the second wicket with comeback-man Suresh Raina, who hit a fiery 46 off 29 balls with nine shots to the fence. Watson was in regal touch as the Australian pummelled Royals bowlers after being dropped in the opening over, bowled by Stuart Binny. With no assistance on offer, the bowlers needed to be disciplined with their line and length but they were guilty of bowling either too full or short. If CSK could not take the total out of Royals' reach, it was because of leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal, who stopped the run flow if not choked the CSK line-up, by accounting for three batsmen, including MS Dhoni in quick succession. Gopal conceded just 20 runs in his four-over quota and CSK managed only 54 runs in their last seven overs. Royals' captain Ajinkya Rahane used five different bowlers in first five bowlers and it was Australian Ben Laughlin who got the first success as he removed Rayudu in the fifth. However already 50 runs were on the board and it was Watson who was the danger man. In came Raina and the left-hander creamed off four boundaries off Ben Stokes' over. The job only got tougher for Royals bowlers. At half-way mark, CSK were 107 for one. In no time, Watson was approaching his hundred and Raina, a half-century, but Gopal brought relief for Royals by getting the latter caught in deep by Gowtham. There was no stopping Watson from the other end. He not only hit powerful shots but also used his wrists nicely for some delicate boundaries. Gopal though was doing a great job for his side as he stopped run flow by dismissing CSK captain MS Dhoni (5), who had enthralled his fans with a blistering fifty in the last match, and Sam Billings (3) in his successive overs. Watson completed his century in the 18th over and was out on penultimate ball of the innings. He later took wicket of K Gowtham. (SCORECARD)
IPL 2018 Highlights of Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match, straight from Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
23:31 IST: CHENNAI SUPER KINGS THRASH RAJASTHAN ROYALS BY 64 RUNS.
23:30 IST: WICKET! Karn Sharma castles Jaydev Unadkat for 16 runs.
23:26 IST: FOUR! Excellent timing from Jaydev Unadkat. He smashes Karn Sharma towards deep extra cover for a boundary. RR 130/8, need 75 off 18 balls.
23:20 IST: WICKET! Shardul Thakur removes Stuart Binny for 10 runs. Brilliant bowling and one-handed catch by the pacer. RR 117/8, need 88 in 27 balls.
23:15 IST: WICKET! Shane Watson strikes, KC Gowtham departs for 1. Watson contrubtes with a wicket too. Excellent performance by him today. RR 115/7, need 90 in 32 balls.
23:12 IST: KC Gowtham is the new man at the crease.
23:11 IST: WICKET! Imran Tahir gets rid of Ben Stokes for 45 runs. Rajasthan Royals 111/6, need 94 off 37 balls.
23:10 IST: SIX! Beautiful shot from Stokes. The England all-rounder launches Tahir towards deep extra cover for a maximum.
23:04 IST: Stuart Binny comes to the crease now.
Next up to bat, Bengaluru Boss, @StuartBinny84. #CSKvRR #JazbaJeetKa #HallaBol #VIVOIPL #YetaayTumcheRoyals pic.twitter.com/UU030snxjZ
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2018
23:02 IST: WICKET! Dwayne Bravo strikes again, removes Rahul Tripathi for 5 runs. Rajasthan Royals lose their fifth wicket. They need 109 runs in 46 balls.
23:00 IST: 12 overs gone! Rajasthan Royals 94/4, need 111 in 48 balls.
22:57 IST: FOUR! Stokes hits the ball with full of power. Third boundary for Stokes. RR 91/4, need 114 off 51 balls.
22:53 IST: Rahul Tripathi is the new man at the crease. The required rate is above 13 now.
22:52 IST: WICKET! Dwayne Bravo ends Jos Buttler's stay at 22 runs. RR 77/4, need 128 in 59 balls.
22:49 IST: 10 overs gone! RR 77/3, need 128 off 60 balls.
22:47 IST: FOUR! Stokes stays back and sends Tahir towards mid wicket for a boundary. RR 74/3, need 131 runs in 63 balls.
22:45 IST: The asking rate for RR is 12.55. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are at the crease. Can they do it?
22:41 IST: FOUR! Stokes plays a pull shot. The ball races towards fine leg. First boundary for Stokes.Â
22:38 IST: SIX! That's monstrous. Buttler launches Tahir straight down the ground for a maximum. RR 57/3, need 148 off 72 balls.
22:37 IST: FOUR! Buttler hits this hard. The ball races straight down the ground.
22:35 IST: Imran Tahir comes into the attack.
22:33 IST: 9 runs off Chahar's fourth over. He ends his quota of 4 overs, conceding 30 runs and claiming 2 wickets.
22:27 IST: Excellent over by Watson. The Australian concedes just one run in his first over. RR 35/3, need 170 off 84 balls.
22:24 IST: Jos Buttler is the new man at the crease.
22:19 IST: WICKET! Deepak Chahar strikes again, skipper Ajinkya Rahane departs for 16 runs. Big blow for Rajasthan Royals. RR 32/3, need 173 runs to win in 93 balls.
22:12 IST: BIG WICKET! Deepak Chahar strikes, Sanju Samson departs for 2 runs. Shot ball from Chahar. Samson tried to play a flick towards fine leg but failed to connect it well. Easy catch for Karn Sharma at the boundary ropes. Rajasthan Royals lose their second wicket. RR 25/2 in 3 overs, need 180 more runs to win.
22:08 IST: And, It's NOT OUT. Superb decision by umpire.
22:07 IST: A loud LBW appeal from Chahar. Umpire says NOT OUT. Dhoni has asked for a review.
22:06 IST: Sanju Samson is the new man at the crease.
22:04 IST: WICKET! Shardul Thakur gets the breakthrough, castles Klaasen for 7 runs. What a delivery from the Mumbai pacer. RR 20/1 in 1.5 overs.
Our first centurion, this season! @ShaneRWatson33 #WhistlePodu #CSKvRR #Yellove pic.twitter.com/gWudLZIyHw
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
22:02 IST: FOUR! Klaasen flicks the ball towards mid wicket for a boundary.
22:01 IST: Shardul Thakur comes into the attack.
22:00 IST: FOUR! Rahane guides Chahar towards fine leg for a boundary. RR 14/0 in 1 over.
21:59 IST: SIX! Rahane comes down the track and smashes Chahar towards long on for a maximum.Â
21:57 IST: DROPPED! Klaasen gets an edge. Watson drops him at the first slip. Chahar isn't happy with this.
21:53 IST: Ajinkya Rahane and Heinrich Klaasen set for the mammoth chase. Deepak Chahar will open the attack for CSK.
21:52 IST: Welcome back! RR need 205 runs to win.
21:39 IST: Chennai Super Kings 204/5 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals.
Innings Break!
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
A superlative innings from Shane Watson as the @ChennaiIPL post a total of 204/6 for the #RR to chase.
Stay tuned for more updates #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/4fm28zA80g
21:38 IST: WICKET!! Ben Laughlin ends Shane watson's stay at 106 runs. Watson has done the job for CSK. One ball to go in the innings. CSK 202/5 in 19.5 overs.
21:36 IST: Second wide from Laughlin in the last over of the match.
21:36 IST: WATTO CENTURY!!!!!!
'Watto' Century #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/Tb1U12UNtp
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
21:33 IST: FOUR! Bravo smashes Stokes towards deep extra cover for a boundary. CSK 196/4 in 19 overs.
21:32 IST: Watson moves to 105 - the highest score in IPL 2018. Gayle scored 104* vs SunRisers Hyderabad on Thursday.
21:30 IST: FOUR! One-handed pull shot from Bravo. Incredible shot. CSK 189/4 in 18.2 overs.
21:28 IST: 18 overs gone! CSK 184/4. Watson 102*, Bravo 12*
21:26 IST: FOUR! Bravo smashes Unadkat towards deep backward point.
21:25 IST: CENTURY! Shane Watson brings up his century off 51 balls. What an innings from Watto. CSK 177/4 in 17.2 overs.
Watto family orey the happy! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/WJstS0jwJ9
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
21:21 IST: FOUR! Dwayne Bravo uses the pace and sends Laughlin for a boundary.
21:20 IST: FOUR! Watson stays back and cuts the ball towards backward point for a boundary. Watson moves to 98 with this boundary.
21:18 IST: End of Shreyas Gopal's quota of 4 overs. The spinner conceded 20 runs and took 3 wickets in his 4 overs.
21:15 IST: WICKET! Shreyas Gopal takes his third wicket, Sam Billings departs for 3 runs. Superb catch from Stokes. CSK 161/4 in 15.1 overs.
21:14 IST: 15 overs gone! CSK 161/3. Watson 91*, Billings 3*.
21:10 IST: FOUR! Watson leans back and edges the ball towards third man for a boundary. Clever shot from the Australian.
Images from the #DenAwayFromDen! #WhistlePodu #CSKvRR #Yellove pic.twitter.com/JQ2FizkWcF
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
21:06 IST: WICKET! Shreyas Gopal strikes again, removes MS Dhoni for 5 runs. Dhoni comes down the track and smashes Gopal towards long on but finds Gowtham at the boundary. Gowtham juggles but finally manages to grab the ball. Stunning catch from him. CSK 151/3 in 13.2 overs.
21:02 IST: Another expensive over from Binny. 19 runs off it.
21:01 IST: FOUR! Clever shot from Dhoni. He uses the pace and cuts the ball towards backward point for a boundary. CSK 150/2 in 13 overs.
21:00 IST: FOUR! Short ball from Binny. Watson stays back and plays a pull shot towards deep mid wicket for a boundary.
20:59 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries by Shane Watson. Binny has a bad day today.
20:58 IST: Stuart Binny is back into the attack.
20:55 IST: Did you hear the cheer? Yes. MS Dhoni is at the crease now. The chants of Dhoni! Dhoni! has begun.
20:54 IST: WICKET! BIG wicket for RR. Shreyas Gopal dismisses Suresh Raina for 46 runs. Raina slaps the ball with full force but find the fielder at the boundary ropes. Stunning catch by Gowtham.
20:52 IST: FOUR! Raina stays back, makes room and sends Gopal for a another boundary. Fabulous shot.
20:51 IST: FOUR! Shreyas Gopal comes into the attack. Raina welcomes the youngster with a boundary towards third man.
20:49 IST: FLAT SIX! Short ball from Laughlin. Watson stays back and plays a pull towards deep mid wicket for a maximum. 6th maximum for Watson in the match.
No prizes for guessing who they are rooting for.#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/vajMu0ghCd
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
20:47 IST: FOUR! Raina smashes Laughlin towards deep extra cover for a boundary.
20:45 IST: FOUR! Raina is on fire! He uses the pace and guides Unadkat towards fine leg for a boundary. CSK 107/1 in 10 overs.
20:44 IST: FOUR! Raina stays back and sends Unadkat towards deep backward point for a boundary. 50-run partnership between Raina and Watson.
20:40 IST: 19 runs off Gowtham's over. CSK 97/1 in 9 overs. Watson 61*, Raina 23*.
20:39 IST: SIX! Another maximum from Watson. He leans forward and launces the ball towards deep mid wicket. CSK 95/1 in 8.4 overs.
20:38 IST: FIFTY! What a way to bring a half-century. Watson smashes Gowtham for a six to bring up his half-century off 28 balls.
Some serious hitting here by @ShaneRWatson33 as he brings up his 50 off 28 balls.#CSKvRR #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/RFf9uxlUG6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
20:36 IST: Another brilliant over for RR. Shreyas Gopal concedes just 4 runs. CSK 78/1 in 8 overs.
20:34 IST: Another change on bowling by RR. Rahane brings Shreyas Gopal into the attack.
20:33 IST: Just 5 runs off Gowtham's over.
20:30 IST: CK Gowtham is back into the attack.
STAT: Fastest 50-run stand for the 1st wicket (Chennai Super Kings):
22 Watson and Rayudu vs KKR, Chennai, 2018
25 Smith and McCullum vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2015
26 Watson and Rayudu vs RR, Pune, 2018
20:28 IST: FOUR! Four boundaries in a row for Raina. 16 runs off Stokes' over. CSK 69/1 in 6 overs.
20:27 IST: FOUR! Superbly played by Raina. The southpaw sends Stokes towards fine leg.
20:26 IST: FOUR! Raina uses the pace and guides Stokes for another boundary.
20:25 IST: FOUR! That's Raina special. He stays back, opens the face of the bat and sends the ball towards sweeper cover for a boundary.
20:24 IST: A loud LBW appeal from Stokes. Umpires says NO. A big smile on Raina's face.
20:22 IST: Suresh Raina is the new man at the crease.
20:21 IST: WICKET! Ben Laughlin gets breakthrough, removes Ambati Rayudu for 12 runs. Good catch by Jos Buttler. Huge celebration in RR camp. CSK 50/1 in 4.3 overs.
20:20 IST: 50-COMES UP for CSK.
20:18 IST: FOUR! Watson uses the pace and guides Stokes towards fine leg for a boundary. CSK 48/0 in 4 overs.
20:15 IST: FOUR! Rayudu welcomes Stokes with a boundary towards backward square leg.
20:14 IST: Ben Stokes comes into the attack.
20:13 IST: SIX! Watson is on fire. The right-hander ends Unadkat's over with another beauty over deep mid wicket. CSK 37/0 in 3 overs.
20:11 IST: SIX! Watson hammers Unadkat over deep extra cover for second maximum of the match. What a shot from the Australian.
20:10 IST: Jaydev Unadkat comes into the attack.
20:08 IST: SIX! Watson smashes Gowtham towards long off for first six of the match.
20:07 IST: CK Gowtham comes into the attack.
20:05 IST: FOUR! Rayudu sends Binny towards deep extra cover for a boundary. 14 runs off Binny'first over. CSK 14/0 in 1 over.
20:05 IST: Binny to Watson! Edged and Dropped. Rahul Tripathi drops Watson at first slip.
20:03 IST: FOUR! Watson stays back and smashes Binny for a boundary towards sweeper cover region. CSK 9/0 in 0.2 over.
20:02 IST: FOUR! It's a free hit. Watson sends Binny straight down the ground for a boundary.
20:01 IST: NO BALL! Poor start from Binny. He starts with a NO BALL.
20:00 IST: Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu are set to open CSK innings. Stuart Binny will open the attack for RR.
19:38 IST: PLAYING XIs:
Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Sam Billings, MS Dhoni (wk/captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir
The #Yellove lions who'd be taking on the Royals tonight! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/7TrA0LJ0vw
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
Here's the Playing XI for #CSKvRR.#VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/Z5r7l0W2pC
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin
The Royals XI are ready for battle!
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2018
Did you get them right?#CSKvRR #JazbaJeetKa #HallaBol #VIVOIPL #YetaayTumcheRoyals pic.twitter.com/TBqZRTNlwr
19:31 IST: TOSS: Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane wins toss, opts to field against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.
The Royals win and choose to field!#CSKvRR #JazbaJeetKa #HallaBol #VIVOIPL #YetaayTumcheRoyals pic.twitter.com/5TjQtXgquO
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2018
19:30 IST: It's TOSS time folks! Danny Morrison is with MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle.
19:19 IST: It's time for action.
It's game time here in Pune as the @ChennaiIPL take on the @rajasthanroyals #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/Z22UkHaxU0
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
19:12 IST: The Super Queens and Super Kids are here.
The Super Queens and Super Kids are here to support them Lions! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/abeslMCG8K
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
18:59 IST: Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane on playing in Pune again.
#RoyalCaptain, @ajinkyarahane88 on playing in Pune again!
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 20, 2018
What would you like to ask him?#CSKvRR #JazbaJeetKa #HallaBol #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/BfYXnXcOqD
18:58 IST: The stage is set.
The @ChennaiIPL's #DenAwayFromDen this #VIVOIPL. pic.twitter.com/PsZYrDaY3O
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2018
And hopefully soon this will be in a sea of yellow! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvRR https://t.co/uaOsBdpGl3
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
18:56 IST: Ravindra Jadeja is excited about the game.
Sir Jadeja is excited about the game tonight at the #DenAwayFromDen! @imjadeja #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/n2WJr54BCq
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
18:55 IST: Murali Vijay's message ahead of CSK vs RR clash.
The first Indian to get 2 centuries in the #VivoIPL! The 127 against RR still stands tall! #WhistlePodu for a fantabulous game tonight! #Yellove #CSKvRR. pic.twitter.com/DOjsgk1W6t
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
"Whistle Podunga", says @mvj888. #CSKvRR #WhistlePodu #yellove pic.twitter.com/PWCPLK9Iq8
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
18:52 IST: Fans have arrived to cheer for their favourite teams.
All the #yellove at the #DenAwayFromDen is simply superb! #WhistlePodu #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/edra4HDKBA
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 20, 2018
18:50 IST: Hello and welcome to the Live updates from the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
After losing their previous Indian Premier League (IPL) clash by a whisker, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will aim to start off with a win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their new home ground -- the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium. CSK were forced to move out of their original home venue in Chennai amid political unrest over the Cauvery water-sharing issue. Both the teams, who have returned to the league after serving two year bans following the spot-fixing scandal, will face each other for the first time in the ongoing edition. While Chennai lost their previous match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 4 runs in Mohali, the Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home. With two wins and two defeats, Rajasthan are placed fifth with four points, while the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai also have an equal number of points after two wins from three matches and are at the fourth position. Rajasthan started their IPL 2018 campaign on a poor note, hammered by Sunrisers Hyderabad by 9 wickets. They however, gained momentum and registered two back-to-back wins against Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Later, Kolkata outclassed them by seven wickets. With 185 runs from four games, Sanju Samson has been the most impressive batsman for Rajasthan while skipper Rahane has amassed 130 runs. Rajasthan's bowlers -- K. Gowtham and Ben Laughlin -- have performed well while leggie Shreays Gopal has also been economical. However, all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was bought for a whopping Rs 12.5 crore, has failed to fire till now.
On the other hand, two-time champions Chennai had a great start to their campaign with back-to-back wins against defending champions Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. It was Dwayne Bravo's 30-ball 68 against Mumbai which helped Chennai register their first win and later, Sam Billings' 23-ball 56 guided them home against Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-scoring match. In their last match against Kings XI Punjab, Ambati Rayudu (49) and Dhoni (79) almost handed Chennai a hat-trick of wins but they fell short by four runs. In the bowling department, Shane Watson has been impressive with five wickets from three games while Shardul Thakur and Imran Tahir have three wickets each from as many games. It will also be Chennai's first game at Pune, which is now their new home for this year's edition of the cash-rich league, and the two-time champions will be keen to regain lost momentum.