rubber plantation

Rajasthan Royals made it two wins in a row as they beat Chennai Super Kings by 3 runs in a thrilling Match 17 of IPL 2023. "Rajasthan Royals have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match 17 against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Wednesday," the IPL said in a statement.

Chasing a target of 176 on a slow turner and with dew coming down in copious amounts was expected to be easy for Chennai Super Kings in what was the 200th match for Dhoni as captain. The CSK skipper made a brave effort by hitting two sixes in the final over but in the end, fell short narrowly.

Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal (38) helped Rajasthan Royals blast 57/1 in Power-play and take them to 87/1 in ninth over but Jadeja claimed two wickets -- getting Padikkal and Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson (0) in quick succession on a pitch that offered turn and bounce as CSK fought back to take control of the match.

"It will be slightly on the slower side. There could be dew around. Feels good [to lead for the 200th time]. The crowd was fantastic. The new stadium is like playing in Switzerland. We have seen cricket change. Feels good to have survived for so long and it's a format we have to keep evolving. Important to get rid of mistakes in the later stages," Dhoni said at the toss.

The former India skipper already holds the record for the most-capped player in the history of IPL with 237 caps, out of which he has captained on 213 occasions. Besides CSK, Dhoni has also led Pune Supergiants in 2016. The experienced CSK and India all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, praised Dhoni's record and referred to him as a legend in both Indian cricket and CSK.

A stunning 19-ball half-century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 on Saturday night against Mumbai Indians in his first game for Chennai Super Kings has put Rahane back in frame for a Test recall ahead of the WTC final in England in June. Rahane, who was dropped from the Test squad, and subsequently from BCCI's annual contracts, last played a Test in January 2022 in South Africa.

On Saturday night, the 30-year-old Chahar bowled five balls in his opening over at the Wankhede Stadium before he felt discomfort in his leg. After a brief consultation with the team physio, the pacer strolled in to bowl the last ball of the over before leaving the field and taking no further part in the game.

Rahane, who was roped in by CSK for his base price of Rs 50 lakh, came into the side as England Test captain Ben Stokes pulled out with an injury. He was surprised by his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who sent him up the order after Devon Conway was out for zero in the first over. He blasted the fastest half-century of IPL 2023 off 19 deliveries and put CSK on road to victory in their chase of a modest target of 158.

The fans had turned in huge numbers to watch the home team return to winning ways after suffering an eight-wicket defeat in their opening match to RCB. But it seems they will have to wait for some more matches to see that the score looks difficult to defend unless CSK make a hash of this easy chase.

CSK made two changes in their side as Ben Stokes was out with an injury while Moeen Ali is unwell. "We've had some injury concerns. Stokes has an injury. Mo (Moeen) is not well and in their place, we've got (Ajinkya) Rahane and (Dwaine) Pretorius. Other than that, same team," Dhoni said after the toss. Rahane will be making his debut for CSK.