MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings registered second win in the Indian Premier League here on Monday night as they beat Rajasthan Royals by 45 runs in the one sided affair.
Chasing 189 to win, RR managed 143 in allotted overs losing 9 wickets. Opener Jos Buttler was the top scorer with 49 off 35 balls. Riyan Parag (3) again failed to score big innings today. Spinner Moeen Ali took 3 wickets for 7 while Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, cameos from Dwayne Bravo (20 not out off 8 balls) and Sam Curran (13 off 6 balls) helped Chennai Super Kings put up a challenging 188 for nine in their 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.
After a flying start given by Faf du Plessis (33 off 17 balls, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Moeen Ali (26 off 20 balls, 1x4, 2x6s), CSK seemed to have lost their way in the middle overs as they lost quick wickets of their key batsmen who were looking to open their arms.
Left-arm seam bowler Chetan Sakariya got rid of Ambati Rayudu (27 off 17 balls, 3x6s) and Suresh Raina (18 off 15 balls, 1x4, 1x6) in the 14th over of the match to derail the CSK innings.
Ambati Rayudu had hit three massive sixes and looked like he would make a big score this time after failing the last time around. However, he was caught in the deep. Soon after that Raina gave a simple catch on a slower delivery.
Skipper MS Dhoni, who came into bat at No. 7, struggled initially but then got a couple of boundaries and kept the scoreboard ticking. However, Sakariya again dismissed him as the former India skipper was caught at cover while trying to go over the top.
Jadeja too couldn't get going as a short delivery from Chris Morris got him caught behind. However, the depth in CSK batting with Curran and Bravo at the end saw them to a competitive total.
Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 188/9 in 20 overs (F du Plessis 33, A Rayudu 27, M Ali 26, D Bravo 20 not out, C Sakariya 3/36, C Morris 2/33, R Tewatia 1/21) beat Rajasthan Royals 143/9 in 20 overs (Buttler 49, Ali 3/7). IANS