IPL 2018, RR vs CSK: RR vs CSK: 5 Reasons why Chennai Superkings lost to Rajasthan Royals

In a must-win game for the Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings were hosted in a game where Royals were seen sporting Pink as a cause to support cancer patients. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first on a wicket which offered resistance while chasing.

The decision paid off well for Chennai as they got off to a decent start as a huge total was always within their reach.

It was courtesy of some power hitting from the duo of Suresh Raina and Shane Watson, which saw them coast their way to a strong total of 176 runs in their 20 overs.

In quest of the target, Royals came up with astounding plans to surprise the opposition. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Buttler kept his calm to see his side through to victory with four wickets to spare.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that propelled a Chennai loss:

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#1 Dearth of boundaries after Raina’s dismissal

CSK innings faltered a little after Raina's dismissal

CSK were well on course to post a mammoth total after the kind of start they got in the first ten overs.

Raina continued his form against the Rajasthan Royals and smashed yet another fifty to see his side in a comfortable position.

However, after his departure in the 13th over, the innings needed some late flourish from the likes of Billings and Dhoni to power them to a total close to 200.

But in next four overs, Chennai looked off-track as the duo could only manage 23 runs. This was accompanied by a dearth of boundaries to help Royals claw their way back into the game.

#2 Blistering start for the Royals in the powerplay

Buttler powered Rajasthan to a strong start in the powerplay

Chasing a tricky total of 177 runs, Rajasthan were off to a blistering start as they saw themselves in the driver’s seat for major part of the second half.

In their first six overs, bowlers were hammered all over the park. The home team came up with an interesting idea to promote Ben Stokes to open alongside his English teammate Buttler.

It was a dream start as they mustered 13 runs in the first over to set the tempo for the rest of the chase.

In what was to follow was a Buttler special as the English wicket-keeper kept the scoreboard ticking to take the score past 50 in the powerplay with the loss of two wickets.

#3 Buttler keeps his side alive for yet another day

It was Buttler's fourth consecutive fifty in as many innings

Ever since his promotion to the top of the order, Jos Buttler has been in stupendous form. The England wicket-keeper is giving his side some blazing starts to lay the foundation for some mammoth totals.

In his four innings so far as an opener in this season, he has stroked as many fifties to record for second highest consecutive 50+ scores in the IPL history.

In his innings against CSK, Buttler kept fighting from one end as his efforts didn’t go in vain. His knock of 95 runs from 60 deliveries, did a world of good to his side as he carried them to stay alive for yet another day in this tournament.

It was some clean hitting that saw 11 fours and two sixes, as he powered his side to victory by four wickets.

#4 Jos Buttler survives too many a time

Buttler was dropped twice by the CSK fielders

When it seemed that CSK were about to pull their way back into the game, Buttler was offered too many a chance in his innings.

The lone warrior for Rajasthan was smashing them for fun. His cause was supported by some poor fielding efforts from the men in yellow, as they looked a bit sloppy in the field.

Buttler, in his knock of 95 runs was dropped twice. Once, Watson missed a tough caught and bowled chance in the 15th over.

If this didn’t add to their worries, Dhoni gives him yet another chance in the 18th over, when Buttler tried to scoop Bravo over fine-leg for four but could barely manage a thick edge to the keeper.

#5 Cameos from K Gowtham and Stuart Binny

Gowtham and Binny gave good support to Buttler

It seemed a single-handed effort from Buttler, who was on his way to lead his side to the victory but it became a bit tough when wickets continued to fell from the other end.

He got the much-needed support from lower down the order as the likes of Stuart Binny and K Gowtham, produced his handy cameos to help the team’s cause.

Binny’s 17-ball 22 and a blistering four-ball 13 from Gowtham, changed the dynamics of the game in the last few overs.

It helped the home team find a comfortable win in a high-scoring thriller as it turned down the margin between the runs and the balls.

Though Buttler will be hogging all the apt limelight from today’s game, the cameos from Binny and Gowtham were equally important to lead Royals’ victory.

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