What a close finish match it was! Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs in an exciting match on Saturday. It was a crucial match for Chennai to qualify for the semi finals; now they have to win against Deccan Chargers for a semi final berth.

 

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat. Jaipur openers Graeme Smith and Swapnil Asnodkar gave a solid start and shared a partnership of 127; Smith scored 91( 51b, 9x4, 4x6) and Swapnil 41. Kamran Akmal also contributed with a quick fire 57 and guided his team to 211/5 in 20 overs.

 

Chasing a mammoth total, Chennai Super Kings opener Parthiv Patel and middle order batsman Suresh Raina along with Albie Morkel batted brilliantly and kept the hopes alive for Chennai Super Kings. Things were within control until captain M.S.Dhoni's dismissal in the 18th over, when the Super Kings were pushed on the back foot. Chennai Super Kings still needed 30 runs in 15 balls to win and they had every reason to believe that they could pull it off but Rajasthan Royal's Captain Shane Warne showed his leadership quality and asked his bowlers to bowl fuller length deliveries outside off stump to dangerous Morkel.

 

In the last over Chennai needed 15 runs, something Super Kings had done it against Delhi and Manpreet Gony, the man who had got those runs was at the striking end. But Sohail Tanveer bowled superbly and let them to score only 4 runs and picked up 2 wickets in the process.

 

It was 10th win for Rajasthan Royals and they consolidated their position at the top of the table.

 

Brief Score:

Rajasthan Royals: 211/5

Chennai Super Kings: 201/7

Man of the Match: Albie Morkel