Shane Watson is known as a big impact player and on Sunday night he justified his reputation in the best possible manner as he and Stuart Binny treated Chennai Super Kings’ bowler with brute force to help the hosts’ earn 10th win to virtually qualify for playoffs.
The win by five-wickets with 17 balls to spare, also meant that Royals’ fort — Sawai Man Singh stadium remained unbreached in all eight games as Rajasthan marched to the second spot on the points table, a notch behind Chennai on net-run-rate.
Chasing 142, Royals’ made a poor start as they lost three wickets for 19 runs in five overs. First to go was Ajinkya Rahane (9) as he failed to clear mid-on and was caught by Murali Vijay of Jason Holder’s bowling. James Faulkner (1), promoted as a pinch-hitter at number three followed Rahane in the dug-out three balls later when he saw his stumps dismantled as he tried a ridiculous shot. In the next over, Royals lost Sanju Samson (0), whose inside-edge of Mohit Sharma’s incoming delivery landed safely in MS Dhoni’s gloves.
Skipper Rahul Dravid and an-of the Match Watson tried to repair the damage but their partnership of 26 runs was halted by Chris Morris. Dravid guided a rising ball to Dhoni’s hands, leaving the Royals reeling at 49/4 in 10 overs. This was the time when Rajasthan were struggling and CSK bowlers were spelling venom. But, then Watson changed everything.
The next over from R Ashwin started the trend of what was to follow. Binny first launched a six towards mid-wicket and Watson walloped two more in the same region. Then, Holder faced the wreath of Watson, who next bludgeoned another couple of maximums to Bravo to follow it up with four fours of Morris. Watson left the scene scoring 35-ball 70 with the help of six sixes and as many fours.
Taking cue from Watson, Binny cashed in and used the long handle perfectly, scoring 41 of 23 balls with the help of three sixes and two shots to the fence.
Earlier, dishing out another disciplined performance, Royals’ bowlers restricted CSK to 141/4.
After skipper Rahul Dravid won the toss and decided to bowl first, their bowlers — debutant Vikramjeet Malik and James Faulkner, started the proceeding on a decent note, not allowing the CSK’s openers — Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay to break free. The opening batsmen were cautious in their approach and batted with patience which was necessary on a pitch that had bounce and was helpful to the swing bowlers.
Playing at just over run-a-ball, Vijay-Hussey ran hard between the wickets and scored odd boundaries and they took 7.4 overs to score 50 runs which became 75 without the loss of a wicket after 10. The duo dished out risk-free cricket and accelerated later on.
However, just when they were looking keen on cutting loose, Stuart Binny in his second over, castled Hussey on run-a-ball 40. During his innings, the Australian left-hander regained his spot as the highest-run scorer (615 runs) from Chris Gayle (603). But, Hussey had done his job, setting a stage from where the CSK’s powerful middle-order could take charge.
Cooper’s crucial strikes
The next over (13th) applied brakes on CSK’s momentum as West Indian Kevon Cooper reduced the score from 83 for one to 89 for three. Cooper dealt two big blows, accounting for Suresh Raina (1) and CSK skipper MS Dhoni (2). While Raina was caught at long off by Sanju Samson, Dhoni slashed hard only to be held out by Watson, who was placed at slip
Amidst, some silent overs, Vijay flicked a Faulkner ball beautifully to complete his fifty — second of the season. Vijay, who was struggling for the past few matches, played with purpose and shepherded the CSK innings. However, a bad decision to run when Ravindra Jadeja missed the ball to allow it go to glovesman Dishant Yagnik, saw his stay end. Vijay scored 50-ball 55, leaving CSK 113/4 in 17.2 overs.
Brief Scores
CSK: 141/4 (Murali Vijay 55, Micheal Hussey 41; Kevon Cooper 2/32) lost to RR: 144/5 in 17.1 overs (Shane Watson 70, Stuart Binny 41 not out; Jason Holder 2/20) by five wickets.