IPL 2018, CSK vs RR: 5 Talking Points

An old rivalry resumed after a gap of almost three years as the comeback teams Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) squared off against each other for the first time since May 10th 2015.

It was also the first game for CSK at their new home in Pune.

Riding on Shane Watson’s brilliant 106, CSK posted a mammoth 204. Chasing more than 10 runs per over, RR lost their top three early as they were reduced to 32/3.

Ben Stokes did try to fight back but 204 proved to be too much for RR as they stumbled to a 64-run loss. With their third win of the season, CSK climbed to the top of the points table.

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#5 A day to forget for the fielders

Watson got two lives early in his innings.

Fielding is a very important component in today’s game, especially in T20 cricket where a small lapse can cost the team dearly. In this game, the fielders from both sides had a poor day at the office.

In the first innings, Rajasthan Royals paid the price for letting Watson off twice. In the very first over of the game, Stuart Binny found the edge and the ball travelled at a nice, catchable height to first slip.

However, Rahul Tripathi dropped a sitter to give Watson a life. In the next over, Tripathi once again let off the Australian all-rounder as he dropped a tough chance at backward point.

Krishnappa Gowtham was the unlucky bowler on this occasion. Sanju Samson then dropped one at backward point as Dwayne Bravo got a life.

However, CSK decided to return the favour as Watson dropped one at first slip in the first over of RR’s chase as Heinrich Klaasen survived a first-ball duck.

Even though that was the only catch that was put down by CSK, they were poor in the field. There were quite a few misfields but with a big score on the board, it didn’t affect CSK as much as it did RR.

The phrase ‘catches win matches’ came back to haunt RR as Shane Watson made full use of those reprieves and scored a superb ton.

#4 CSK struggle at the death as RR bowlers come back well

The RR bowlers were very good at the death conceding just 54 runs in the last seven overs

Batting first for the first time in this season of the IPL, Chennai Super Kings were off to a flying start as they scored 69 in the powerplay.

Watson had raced away to 38 in 21 balls while Suresh Raina had made 18 in eight balls. The carnage continued as Watson led CSK’s charge and found the boundary at regular intervals. He was well supported by Raina as the duo added 81 in just 7.2 overs. At 150/2 in 13 overs, CSK looked good for at least 215-220.

But, after CSK lost Raina and MS Dhoni in quick succession, their scoring rate dropped. Watson was also getting tired and hence, the RR bowlers made a good comeback towards the end of the CSK innings.

CSK could only score 54 runs in their last seven overs as they finished with 204 in their 20 overs.

#3 The Watson show

Watson was brilliant with both bat and ball.

After last year’s IPL, a lot of people had written Shane Watson off. However, he had a couple of good tournaments (Big Bash and PSL) in the lead up to the IPL.

For the Chennai Super Kings, the former Australian all-rounder started well as he got starts in all the three innings and he also picked up five wickets in those three games.

In this game, he converted the start he got and made full use of his opportunity and the reprieves he got early on in the innings.

He struck a magnificent ton as his 57-ball 106 took CSK to a huge score of 204. Watson hit nine fours and six sixes in his innings.

He looked in sublime touch as he smashed the RR bowlers all around the MCA Stadium in Pune (which is the new home of CSK for the rest of the season).

Watson also did a wonderful job with the ball as he gave away just 13 runs in 3 overs. He also picked up the wicket of Gowtham.

Hence, it was a wonderful day for Shane Watson as he showed he can still deliver the goods.

#2 RR spring a surprise as Henrich Klaasen opens the innings

Debutant Henrich Klaasen opened the innings with Ajinkya Rahane.

D’Arcy Short struggled in the first four games and the axe was on the cards. Henrich Klaasen who had impressed everybody in the India-South Africa limited-overs series was brought in.

It was expected that Klaasen would bat in the middle order given his ability to play spin well. Also, his inclusion would allow Tripathi who has been batting in the middle order to move back to the top of the order.

However, the Rajasthan Royals think-tank opted to open with the South African batsman. With regular openers, Tripathi and Samson in the XI, it was surprising to see Klaasen open the innings.

On debut, he struggled to score freely. He was given a reprieve on the first ball of his IPL career as Shane Watson dropped one at first slip.

However, the 26-year-old wicket-keeper batsman couldn’t make use of his chance as he was out bowled for seven in as many balls.

#1 RR fail to put up a fight chasing 205

It was a comprehensive victory for CSK

Chasing anything more than 200 is never easy. But in this tournament, teams have chased quite well and big scores have been hunted down.

With 205 to get, it was important for Rajasthan to get off to a good start. But that didn’t happen as they crumbled got off to a bad start, losing their top three inside the powerplay.

After the powerplay, RR kept losing wickets at regular intervals and didn’t have any momentum in the chase. Stokes tried hard and scored a fighting 45 but 205 was always going to be difficult after the start they got.

After Jos Butler and Stokes were dismissed, it was just a matter of time before CSK got their third win of the season.

RR failed to put up a fight as they crumbled and were bowled out for 140 and fell short by 64 runs.

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