Wanindu Hasaranga's star performance was the turning point as Rajasthan Royals achieved a thrilling six-run win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match on Sunday.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad initiated the resistance with a 63 off 44 balls, scoring seven boundaries and a six. But Hasaranga's intense spell of 4/35 kept the pursuit in check, limiting Chennai to 176/6 and inflicting their second successive loss.
Ravindra Jadeja (32* off 22 balls) and MS Dhoni (16 off 11 balls), batting at No. 7, attempted a late recovery. Dhoni gave CSK hope with a six and a four in the 19th over, when Tushar Deshpande leaked 19 runs. Jadeja extended the drama with a six to finish the over.
With 20 runs needed off the last over, Sandeep Sharma remained composed, conceding just 13 runs. The turning point of the game came when Shimron Hetmyer took an amazing catch to get rid of Dhoni, handing Rajasthan their victory.
Earlier, Nitish Rana's 81 out of 36 balls, consisting of 10 fours and five sixes, had set up RR for an enormous total. CSK bowlers, however, rallied during the death overs with Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, and Khaleel Ahmed each taking two wickets and keeping RR in check at 182/9.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals: 182/9 in 20 overs (Nitish Rana 81, Riyan Parag 37; Noor Ahmad 2/28, Matheesha Pathirana 2/28, Khaleel Ahmed 2/38)
Chennai Super Kings: 176/6 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 63, Ravindra Jadeja 32*; Wanindu Hasaranga 4/35)
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by six runs.
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