Rajasthan Vs Chennai Live Cricket Score - Live Cricket Score, Match 11 - Commentary

We are back for the run chase!

... The Run Chase ...

Now, as CSK head into the dressing room with momentum on their side, the big question remains - can their batting unit chase down this target? Just a few days ago, they struggled while chasing a 190+ total against RCB. Will they change their approach this time? Meanwhile, RR may have lost their way in the death overs, but they still have a competitive total on the board. Their bowlers will need to strike early to put CSK under pressure. Will they manage to do it? Stay tuned, as the action for the second inning is about to begin!

Noor Ahmad, the current holder of the Purple Cap, is in for a chat. He says he is happy to get back the cap and hopes to keep it on till the end of the season. Mentions that the wrong ones were gripping a bit more, and hence, he decided to bowl a lot more of them. Adds that he likes to contribute to the team in any department. States that this surface is different, and he knew that fuller balls are easy to target. He concludes that they will need a good start to chase this total down.

For Chennai, the credit goes to CSK’s bowlers, particularly the left-arm chinaman Noor Ahmad and Pathirana, for pulling things back brilliantly. However, CSK’s fielding remained a concern. A couple of dropped catches and a casual approach in chasing the ball allowed RR some extra runs, something they must work on going forward.

For a while, Shimron Hetmyer joined his captain, and together, they wanted to finish strong. The duo kept the scoreboard ticking in the death overs, picking up a couple of boundaries as well. However, Matheesha Pathirana delivered a game-changing moment. Right after Parag took a blow to his forearm, Pathirana sent his middle stump cartwheeling, ending his gritty knock and shattering RR’s hopes of breaching the 200-run mark. Pathirana bowled a sensational 18th over, conceding just a single run, which completely derailed RR’s innings. In the last six overs, CSK's bowlers were outstanding, conceding only 42 runs and ensuring Rajasthan couldn’t fully capitalize on their strong start. The lower middle order of RR struggled under pressure and failed to finish the innings with the flourish they needed. 

Stand-in skipper Riyan Parag walked in at number four, looking to build another solid stand with Rana. However, Ravichandran Ashwin had other plans. Using his experience, he smartly bowled a wide delivery outside off after noticing Rana stepping down the track and got him stumped out. Rana departed after a brilliant 81 off just 36 balls, a knock filled with class and aggression. Parag, leading from the front, anchored the innings while RR lost Dhruv Jurel and Wanindu Hasaranga in quick succession at the other end, slowing their momentum. RR seemed to lose their way a bit, slipping from a strong 124/2 to 140/5. 

In their last match in Guwahati, Rajasthan have put up an above-average total of 183/9 after being sent in to bat first. Coming off two consecutive losses, the pressure was on them, but their batters rose to the occasion, especially in the Powerplay, where they finished 79/1. Despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the very first over, RR bounced back in style as Nitish Rana, coming in at number three, played a sensational knock. He formed an 82-run partnership with Sanju Samson, taking charge of the scoring and attacking the bowlers fearlessly.

19.6Matheesha Pathirana to Tushar Deshpande. byes, 1 run, Just a bye to end proceedings then! Matheesha Pathirana takes pace off this one and slips in the wide yorker, Tushar Deshpande backs away and fails to reach the ball. The batters start scampering through for the bye as MSD misses the under-arm shy at the stumps. Just 6 off the final over and Rajasthan finish with 182/9 on the board!

19.5Matheesha Pathirana to Maheesh Theekshana. 1 run, Full and straight at the stumps, Theekshana backs away and swats it straight to mid off before setting up for a single. A slight fumble there and the batters get the run with ease.

19.4Matheesha Pathirana to Maheesh Theekshana. no run, Quick and full and angled in towards the toes, Maheesh Theekshana makes room but is beaten for raw pace as the ball goes between bat and pad.

19.4Matheesha Pathirana to Tushar Deshpande. wide, 2 runs, TWO WIDES! Good running! Pulls the trigger wide and angles this one well down the leg side for a wide. MS Dhoni dives and manages to make half a stop as the batters scamper through for an extra run.

19.3Matheesha Pathirana to Maheesh Theekshana. 1 run, Full and straight this time, Maheesh Theekshana manages to dig it out wide of mid-wicket for another single.

19.2Matheesha Pathirana to Tushar Deshpande. 1 run, Full and angled across off, Tushar Deshpande goes after it and slashes it aerially down to deep point for a single.

19.1Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. out, OUT! CAUGHT! Matheesha Pathirana picks up his second wicket and RR are folding like a pack of cards in the death overs. Pathirana goes full and bowls it on off, slinging the ball away from the left-hander. Shimron Hetmyer hangs deep and goes hard at it, only to slice it high up over covers. Ravichandran Ashwin there back-tracks and holds on to the catch whilst falling over, top stuff. 

Tushar Deshpande is the last batter in for Rajasthan. 

19.1Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. wide, 1 run, WIDE! That is a bit of a wild delivery and that was almost a no ball as well. Goes full and wide, too wide and the ball pitches beyond the cut strip but it was after passing the stumps, so, it will be a wide.

18.6Khaleel Ahmed to Maheesh Theekshana. no run, A huge appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Maheesh Theekshana has reviewed it pretty quickly as well. Khaleel Ahmed pitches the ball up around middle and leg as Theekshana looks to get inside the line and whip it away but he misses. The ball thuds into the back leg and it is given out. The third umpire can clearly see a gap between bat and ball but Ball Tracking shows that the ball pitched just outside leg. NOT OUT!

Maheesh Theekshana walks in at number 10 for Rajasthan.

18.5Khaleel Ahmed to Shimron Hetmyer. out, OUT! RUN OUT! Tentative running from the batters and CSK pick up yet another wicket. Khaleel Ahmed spears in a good yorker around off and gets it to tail in a bit as well. Shimron Hetmyer comes forward to swipe it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball goes nowhere. The batters stop and start a bit before scampering through for the run as Khaleel picks up the ball and runs to the keeper's end to knock off the bails. Replays show that Kumar Kartikeya was just short of his ground.

Is that a run-out? The umpire has sent it upstairs for a check and Kumar Kartikeya is caught short of his crease as Khaleel Ahmed knocks the bails off. Chennai continue to chip at wickets. 

18.4Khaleel Ahmed to Kumar Kartikeya. 1 run, Short of a length and over off and middle, Kumar Kartikeya hangs back and ramps it just wide of Ashwin at deep third for a single.

Kumar Kartikeya walks in at number 9 for Rajasthan. He replaces Sanju Samson as the impact sub. 

18.3Khaleel Ahmed to Jofra Archer. out, OUT! CAUGHT! Held on the second attempt! Khaleel Ahmed takes pace off and floats it up at 119 clicks, full and a bit wide of the off stump line. Jofra Archer stays put, extends those long levers and looks to go downtown. The ball gets lofted straight up down the ground as Ruturaj Gaikwad from long on runs around and bobbles it before managing to pouch it safely on the second attempt. RR now 174/7!

18.2Khaleel Ahmed to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Gets away with it this time! Goes fuller and darts it in at the pads, Hetmyer swings but gets an inside edge off the pads and wide of short fine leg for just a single.

18.1Khaleel Ahmed to Shimron Hetmyer. SIX, SIX! Shimron Hetmyer is up and running now! Wrong line, wrong length just full and straight at the stumps, Hetmyer gets low and under the ball before swinging it high and over deep square leg for a six.

18.1Khaleel Ahmed to Shimron Hetmyer. wide, 1 run, WIDE! Goes for the full and wide one, but just spears the ball beyond the tramline and the umpire calls it a wide.

17.6Matheesha Pathirana to Jofra Archer. no run, Pitched up around off, Jofra Archer shows the full face of the bat and punches it back towards the bowler. It deflects to mid off but no run is taken. Top over from Pathirana, just a single and a wicket off it as well.

Jofra Archer walks in at number 8 for Rajasthan. 

5 wickets down for RR. Out batsman is Riyan Parag 17.5Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. out, OUT! TIMBER! That is a caulker of a yorker from Matheesha Pathirana and he gets the set batter out. A searing and inswinging yorker from the Lankan at over 146 clicks and right on the money. Riyan Parag hangs deep and looks to swing across the line but is beaten for pace and plays all around the ball as it smashes into the stumps. Parag departs for a well-made 37 off 28 and CSK closing down things rather well here.

Ouch, Riyan Parag has a nasty blow on the right forearm, and the physio is out for a check. That will sting for a bit. He is currently receiving medical attention and seems like he's okay to carry on. 

17.4Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. no run, OUCH! That is a stinging blow to take! Matheesha Pathirana bowls this one at 139 clicks and bangs it into the deck over middle, Riyan Parag looks to pull but is rushed off the deck and the ball smashes into the vulnerable area on the right forearm and Parag is in serious pain. Hopefully, he is fine.

17.3Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. no run, Oh, a big swing and a miss! A yorker around off at 147.4 clicks, just tailing in late as well. Riyan Parag gives it a big hoick across the line but misses and the ball just goes past the off stump as well. Good stop from MSD behind the stumps.

17.2Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Full again and around the fourth stump line, Shimron Hetmyer goes hard at it but skews it off the outside edge down to deep third for a single.

17.1Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. no run, Full and wide, gets the length spot on, Hetmyer can't get under it and drills it straight to mid off.

16.6Noor Ahmad to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Floated up, a bit full and around off, Hetmyer leans on and works it away through mid-wicket for one.

16.5Noor Ahmad to Shimron Hetmyer. no run, Flatter delivery, bowled quicker and darted in towards the pads, Hetmyer fails to flick it away.

16.4Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Fuller this time, on off, just dabbed down wide of short third for a single.

16.3Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. no run, Quicker through the air and around the pads, this one turns in, Parag looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

16.2Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. SIX, SIX! WHACKED AWAY! Tossed up, right in the slot and on off, Riyan Parag gets down on one knee, clears the front leg and nails it over cow corner for a biggie.

30 runs for Riyan Parag 16.1Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. FOUR, FOUR! That is an amazing shot from Riyan Parag! Tossed up, a bit full and around off, it is the wrong'un, Parag reads it and brings out the reverse-sweep, swatting it up and over backward point for a boundary.

150 runs for RR 15.6Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. FOUR, FOUR! Oh, no luck for the bowler! Just back of a length and over leg, a bit slower too, Hetmyer comes forward to push but gets an inside edge past the stumps and the ball rolls away to the fine leg fence.

15.5Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. 1 run, On the fuller side, attacking the stumps at over 145 clicks, Riyan Parag is late on the heave and jams it away wide of deep square leg for another single.

15.4Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Good length again and around off, tapped away wide of the point region for a single.

15.3Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. no run, Good length, speared in at the pads, Hetmyer fails to flick it away and the ball just brushes the pads before going down towards the keeper.

15.2Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. 2 runs, DROPPED! Jamie Overton has made a mess of that one. Matheesha Pathirana pitches the ball up again and straight at the stumps. Hetmyer clears the front leg to smoke it over long on but skies it high, and it lands around mid on. Overton comes in from the deep and settles under the ball but misses it completely as he tries to reverse cup it. The batters take two. How costly will this prove to be?

15.1Matheesha Pathirana to Shimron Hetmyer. no run, Full and in the slot around off, Shimron Hetmyer drills the drive but hits it straight to mid off.

14.6Ravindra Jadeja to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Short one, on off, Hetmyer knocks it to long off and takes a run.

14.5Ravindra Jadeja to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Flaoted full, on middle and leg, Riyan Parag nudges it behind square on the leg side and picks up a single.

14.4Ravindra Jadeja to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Short one, on off, Shimron Hetmyer punches it to deep mid-wicket for one.

14.3Ravindra Jadeja to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Tossed up, on off, Riyan Parag tucks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

14.2Ravindra Jadeja to Shimron Hetmyer. 1 run, Full, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer punches it to long on for a single.

Shimron Hetmyer walks in with RR in a bit of bother.

14.1Ravindra Jadeja to Wanindu Hasaranga. out, OUT! TAKEN! Vijay Shankar pulls off an absolute stunner! Wanindu Hasaranga departs as Rajasthan lose half their side! Wickets are tumbling in heaps at the moment for the home side. Ravindra Jadeja darts this one full and on middle, with a lower trajectory. Wanindu Hasaranga presses ahead and looks to go big but doesn't quite manage to get underneath the ball. He drags his hack across the line, and it goes flat and in front of deep mid-wicket. Vijay Shankar quickly moves ahead, covers a lot of ground and takes a fine catch that was dipping in front of him. The third umpire is summoned to check if was taken cleanly, and Vijay Shankar has done pretty well. 

Is that a clean catch? First ball after the break, and it seems like Vijay Shankar has pulled off a stunning catch to hand CSK another wicket. The umpires do go upstairs, and the replays show that the ball is in the grasp of Shankar, and we can see that even after the tumble, Shankar had the ball in hand. OUT!

Strategic Break! The first innings seems nicely poised at the moment, but Nitish Rana's blistering inning has handed RR the platform to launch and surpass that 200-run mark. Remember, RR only managed 150-odd in the last game here, but CSK and their spinners have done well to pick up wickets, and now, Riyan Parag could be the key player in the last 6 overs. Noor Ahmad has been phenomenal thus far and has another over up his sleeve, but with RR going at 10 runs per over, they'd be disappointed if they don't get to 200 from here with Shimron Hetmyer still to come.

13.6Noor Ahmad to Wanindu Hasaranga. 1 run, Full and on middle and off, Wanindu Hasaranga lifts it just past the bowler to his left for a single.

13.5Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Slower one and on middle and off, Parag punches it to deep cover and picks up a single.

13.5Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. wide, 1 run, WIDE! A bit too short and beyond the guideline outside off. Riyan Parag lets it pass. 

13.4Noor Ahmad to Wanindu Hasaranga. 1 run, Noor drops it short and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga punches it to deep cover for one.

13.3Noor Ahmad to Wanindu Hasaranga. 2 runs, A bit short and on off, Wanindu Hasaranga cuts it to deep backward point and scampers through for a couple of runs. 

13.2Noor Ahmad to Wanindu Hasaranga. no run, Slides this one across, full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga swings across but is beaten on the outside edge. 

Wanindu Hasaranga is the next batter in.

3 wickets down for RR. Out batsman is Dhruv Jurel 13.1Noor Ahmad to Dhruv Jurel. out, OUT! CAUGHT! Matheesha Pathirana takes a superb catch, and Chennai are making a comeback in this game. Rajasthan are losing their track yet again in the middle overs. Noor Ahmad floats it up, on off, Dhruv Jurel charges ahead and looks to power it straight back over the bowler's head but loses his shape. The ball takes the outside edge and lobs in front of short third. Pathirana charges in and dives ahead to take a low catch just above the turf. He does well to hold on even after his elbow hits the ground. Dhruv Jurel departs for just 3 (7), and the Rajasthan are 134/4. 

12.6Ravindra Jadeja to Riyan Parag. 2 runs, A bit short and on off, Riyan Parag cuts it to deep point for a brace.

12.5Ravindra Jadeja to Dhruv Jurel. 1 run, Slanting into the pads, on a fuller length, Jurel nudges it behind and rotates the strike over.

12.4Ravindra Jadeja to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Pushed through, full and on middle and leg, Riyan Parag turns it to square leg for a single.

12.3Ravindra Jadeja to Dhruv Jurel. 1 run, Similar line and length, Dhruv Jurel makes some room and works it to long off for a single.

12.2Ravindra Jadeja to Dhruv Jurel. no run, Full and at the stumps, Dhruv Jurel taps it back to the bowler.

12.1Ravindra Jadeja to Dhruv Jurel. no run, Starts from around the wicket and bowls it full, on off, Dhruv Jurel tucks it to the on side. 

11.6Ravichandran Ashwin to Riyan Parag. FOUR, FOUR! That's sloppy work in the field. What should've been just one has now resulted in 4 runs. Floated full, on off, Riyan Parag tonks it to the right of long off. Rachin Ravindra moves across and looks to cut it off with both hands to his right but makes a meal of it. The ball bursts out of his hands and goes past the boundary.

11.5Ravichandran Ashwin to Dhruv Jurel. 1 run, Tossed up, on middle and off, Dhruv Jurel flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

11.4Ravichandran Ashwin to Dhruv Jurel. no run, Full and on off, Dhruv Jurel pushes it to cover. 

Dhruv Jurel walks out to bat at number 5.

11.4Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. out, OUT! STUMPED! Ravichandran Ashwin gets the big fish! This is great presence of mind from the veteran. Sees the batter charge down the track and fires it way outside off, beyond the tramline too. MS Dhoni collects the ball to his left and whips the bails off, with Rana not having a chance to make his way back. He departs after a sensational knock of 81 (36), and the Rajasthan are 124/3 now.

11.3Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! Smart batting! A bit too full, on middle, Nitish Rana reverse sweeps it behind square on the off side for four more. 

11.2Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX, SIX! There is no stopping Nitish Rana at the moment! Tossed up, right in the arc, on middle, Nitish Rana swings across and connects well. Hits it flat but over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 

11.1Ravichandran Ashwin to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Drops it short and on the pads, Riyan Parag nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.6Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Nails the yorker, on off, Riyan Parag drops his bat on it and steals a quick single. An expensive start from Matheesha Pathirana, who goes for 13 runs off his first over.

10.5Matheesha Pathirana to Nitish Rana. 1 run, At 131 kph, Pathirana serves it full, on middle and leg, Nitish Rana chips it to the right of mid-wicket for one.

10.4Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Short of a length, at the stumps, Riyan Parag knocks it to long on and rotates the strike over.

10.3Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. 2 runs, On a length, on off, Riyan Parag waits for the ball to arrive and angles the face of the bat to the right of deep fine leg. Khaleel Ahmed slides to his right and cuts it off for two runs.

10.3Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. wide, 1 run, WIDE! Goes full and down leg again. Riyan Parag looks to help it on its way but plays well inside the line.

10.2Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. no run, Pathirana gets the line right this time. Fires in a yorker at the stumps, Parag digs it out.

100 runs for RR 10.1Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. SIX, SIX! Fine shot! Served right into the pads, fuller in length, Riyan Parag flicks it neatly and clears deep square leg for a big six.

100 runs for RR 10.1Matheesha Pathirana to Riyan Parag. wide, 1 run, WIDE! Pathirana starts with a wayward ball, going down leg on a fuller length.

Matheesha Pathirana comes into the attack now.

9.6Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Flighted up, on a nagging length and on middle, Riyan Parag manages to nudge it away past square leg for a single.

9.5Noor Ahmad to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Tossed up at the stumps, Rana sits down and goes for the slog sweep but mistimes it aerially down to deep mid-wicket for a run.

9.4Noor Ahmad to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! Easily done! Flighted up, wide outside off, Nitish Rana stays low, leans on and lofts it wide of deep cover for another boundary.

9.3Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Fuller this time, a bit more tossed up, Riyan Parag bunts it into the off side for a single.

9.2Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. no run, And again! Flatter delivery, on a slightly dragged length and darting across off, Parag has another poke at it but is beaten once again.

9.1Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. no run, Beaten! Quicker one, bowled flat and a bit full, angled across off, Parag has a push at it but is beaten past the outside edge.

8.6Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up, wide of the off stump line, Nitish Rana goes inside-out and nails the lofted shot over covers for the first boundary after the Powerplay.

8.5Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. no run, Flighted up around middle, on a nagging length and Nitish Rana tentatively blocks it off.

8.4Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. no run, On the fuller side and right in line with the middle stump, Rana plays it back to the bowler.

8.3Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. no run, A loud appeal and given! Ravichandran Ashwin spears in a quicker delivery, full and around middle and leg. Nitish Rana leans on to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls away to short fine leg. The finger is raised but Rana has immediately reviewed it. The third umpire is called in and there's nothing on UltraEdge. Ball Tracking though, shows that the ball would have went on with the angle and would have missed leg stump. Excellent review, NOT OUT!

8.2Ravichandran Ashwin to Riyan Parag. 1 run, On a dragged length and on middle, Parag tucks it away in front of square leg and looks for two but has to settle for one.

8.1Ravichandran Ashwin to Riyan Parag. no run, The other one, on a length and this one deviates away from middle, Riyan Parag watchfully defends.

7.6Noor Ahmad to Nitish Rana. no run, Flighted delivery, on a length and turning in from around middle, Rana leans on to block but misses and gets hit on the pads. CSK just clawing things back in the last couple of overs.

7.5Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. 1 run, Floated up, on the fuller side and outside off, Parag drives it away down to long off and gets off the mark with a single.

7.4Noor Ahmad to Riyan Parag. no run, Just drags the length back a touch and bowls it around off, Riyan Parag looks to come forward but ends up blocking it off.

Skipper Riyan Parag walks in at number 4 for Rajasthan.

7.3Noor Ahmad to Sanju Samson. out, OUT! CAUGHT! That should have been put away! Noor Ahmad proves to be the game-changer for CSK yet again. Tosses the ball up, full and wide again, it is a bit in the slot, but it is also the wrong'un. Sanju Samson clears the front leg to smash it over long off but ends up hitting it flat and straight to Rachin Ravindra in the deep, and he makes no mistake with the catch. Samson departs for 20 (16), and RR are now 86/2!

7.2Noor Ahmad to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Tossed up again, quite full and on the pads, nudged away around the corner for one more.

7.1Noor Ahmad to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Tossed up, in and around off, driven wide of covers for a single.

Noor Ahmad is introduced into the attack now. 

6.6Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. no run, Keeps it full and slides it onto the pads, Nitish Rana tickles it straight to short fine leg.

6.5Ravichandran Ashwin to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Fuller in length and sliding it in from around middle, clipped away wide of square leg this time for one.

6.4Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Slightly flighted and on middle, Nitish Rana watchfully just eases it away down to wide long on and rotates the strike.

6.3Ravichandran Ashwin to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Good length on middle, sliding on, Samson works it away in front of mid-wicket for yet another single.

6.2Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Quicker one from around the wicket, bowled on a length and darted into middle and leg, Rana works it away through wide mid on for one more.

6.1Ravichandran Ashwin to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Drags the length back and bowls it on middle and leg, Sanju Samson stays put and eases it away wide of long on for a single.

Strategic Break! Well, well, well! Nitish Rana is putting on an absolute masterclass! What a knock this is turning out to be! While the initial predictions suggested the pitch might play a bit on the slower side, Rana has completely shattered those assumptions! Despite the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajasthan have stormed out of the blocks, racing to 79/1 at the end of the Powerplay. With this kind of start, RR will be looking to keep the momentum going and capitalize on the flying start. Chennai have been all over the place with their plans, and Rajasthan have made them pay! With the field restrictions now lifted, Ruturaj Gaikwad will be banking on his spinners to pull things back and halt the batting onslaught.

5.6Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. SIX, SIX! Wow, that is outta here! Banged in short again by Khaleel, at the body this time, Nitish Rana picks the length early and whacks the pull deep into the stands over the mid-wicket fence. 15 off the over and RR are flying at 79/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

50 runs for Nitish Rana 5.5Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! Up and over! Nitish Rana brings up a sensational FIFTY off just 21 balls! A bit short and a bit wide, swinging away, Rana presses back and just nonchalantly taps it over the point fielder for another boundary.

5.4Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. no run, Lovely timing but straight to the fielder! Back of a length and outside off, Rana waits back and just pats it down off the middle of the bat to backward point.

5.3Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. no run, Just back of a length now and around the fifth stump line, Rana stabs it down in front of point.

5.2Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! Fortuitous but Nitish Rana has probably deserved this. Hard length again, a bit outside off, Rana goes hard at the cut and gets an outside edge that goes wide of the keeper and into the deep third fence.

5.1Khaleel Ahmed to Sanju Samson. 1 run, On a hard length and angled in at the pads, Samson tucks it away just to the right of mid-wicket and sneaks in a quick single.

Double change as Khaleel Ahmed (2-0-14-1) comes back into the attack with a change of ends. 

4.6Ravichandran Ashwin to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Tossed it up, around middle and leg, sliding in, Sanju Samson clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a single. 19 off the over.

4.5Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Comes over the wicket now, full and around middle, Rana nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

4.4Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! DISPATCHED! Ashwin dishes out a full toss now, on the pads, Nitish Rana goes on his knee again and sweeps it in the gap towards deep square leg for a boundary.

4.3Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX, SIX! THIS IS CLASS BATTING! Similar length and line from Ashwin, around middle, Nitish Rana goes on his knee to sweep it against the turn. The ball sails over the deep fine leg fence for another biggie. 

30 runs for Nitish Rana 50 runs for RR 4.2Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX, SIX! WOW! TOP SHOT! Nitish Rana is looking in sublime form here! 50 comes up for the Rajasthan! Ashwin bowls it fuller and around off, from around the wickets, Nitish Rana comes forward and covers the line of the ball. He sweeps it over the deep fine leg fence for a biggie. 

4.1Ravichandran Ashwin to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Starts with a short ball, around middle, gets it to turn in, Samson goes back and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Will Ruturaj Gaikwad go towards spin? Yes, he does! Former RR player, Ravichandran Ashwin is introduced into the attack now. 

3.6Jamie Overton to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Ends with a back-of-a-length ball, around middle and leg, Samson clips it to deep square leg for a single.

3.5Jamie Overton to Sanju Samson. SIX, SIX! AN AUTHORITATIVE SHOT! Touch short from Overton and around off, Sanju Samson shifts his weight to the back foot and thumps it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. A flat six! 

3.4Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Goes fuller and on the pads, Rana nudges it towards deep square leg for a single.

3.3Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! SMART BATTING! Overton rolls his fingers on the ball and hits the deck hard. He bowls it on a back of a length and around middle, Nitish Rana waits for it and keeps his eyes on the ball. He opens the bat face off late and guides it over the keeper behind the wickets for a boundary.

3.2Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. no run, An off-cutter from Overton this time, on a length and around middle, Rana drops it down back to the bowler.

3.1Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Hard length and on the hips, Nitish Rana lifts his front leg up and hops up on his toes to half-pull it over and wide of short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

2.6Khaleel Ahmed to Sanju Samson. FOUR, FOUR! PURE TIMING! Ahmed bowls it on a good length and on the pads, Sanju Samson leans on and flicks it with soft hands towards deep backward square leg. Matheesha Pathirana runs in to his left from deep fine leg and makes a slide across but makes a mess of it. The third umpire checks it and calls it a boundary.

2.5Khaleel Ahmed to Sanju Samson. no run, On a length and on the pads, Samson flicks it but straight to mid-wicket. 

2.4Khaleel Ahmed to Sanju Samson. no run, Hard length, around middle and leg, shaping in, Sanju Samson hops up a bit and looks to flick it but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball hits him on the front pad and rolls away towards backward point. Probably, the height is the reason why no one makes any appeal. 

2.3Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Slightly fuller and wide outside off, Nitish Rana opens the face of the bat and slices it to the left of deep third man for a single.

2.2Khaleel Ahmed to Sanju Samson. 1 run, Goes fuller and around middle, Sanju Samson plays with straight bat towards mid off and runs off a quick single.

2.1Khaleel Ahmed to Sanju Samson. no run, On a good length, around middle and off, Sanju comes forward and defends it to cover.

1.6Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. no run, A bouncer to follow, around off, Nitish Rana misses his pull shot as the ball goes to the keeper behind the wickets.

1.5Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. SIX, SIX! JUST OVER! Short of a length and outside off, Nitish Rana gets width and he cashes on it. He extends his arms to slash it but gets it through the outer half of the bat. The ball goes towards deep third man where Khaleel Ahmed leaps to take a catch, but the ball goes through his right hand and he only manages to get his fingertips on it. 

1.4Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. 2 runs, In the air... but falls safely! Overton drags his length and bowls it on a back of a length, around middle and leg, angling into the batter. Nitish Rana goes back and pulls it off the bottom part of the bat. The ball goes in the air towards deep backward square leg where it falls ahead of the incoming fielder Rachin Ravindra and the batters take a couple of runs.

1.3Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Jamie bowls it fuller and on the pads, easy for Nitish Rana as he comes forward and flicks it. The ball goes towards deep backward square leg where Matheesha Pathirana runs in to his right from deep fine leg and makes a slide there but fails to stop the ball from going over the ropes. 

1.2Jamie Overton to Sanju Samson. 1 run, On a hard length, on top of off, Sanju opens the bat face and guides it to deep third man for a single through the point region. 

1.1Jamie Overton to Nitish Rana. 1 run, Begins from over the wicket and bowls it shorter and angling into the body of the batter. Nitish Rana gets into the line and drops it down towards fine leg for a single.

Jamie Overton, on his IPL debut, is set to share the new ball from the other end.

0.6Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. byes, 1 run, Bye! Dragged length, and outside off, swinging away, Nitish Rana misses his cut shot and the keeper MS Dhoni fails to collect the ball cleanly to his left. The batters take a single for bye as the ball gets deflected towards deep third man through the hands of the Dhoni.

0.5Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. FOUR, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Khaleel bowls it much fuller, overpitches, outside off, gets it to shape away from the batter. Nitish Rana comes forward to get to the pitch of the ball and drives it neatly in the gap towards cover point for a boundary to get off the mark.

0.4Khaleel Ahmed to Nitish Rana. no run, A low full toss, around off, Rana gets surprised and misses a freebie as he looks to drive it.

Nitish Rana walks in at number 3 for Rajasthan. 

0.3Khaleel Ahmed to Yashasvi Jaiswal. out, OUT! CAUGHT! Khaleel Ahmed provides an early breakthrough to his side, Chennai and the poor run for Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top continues! Khaleel bowls it on a good length and in the channel outside off, skids through off the surface a bit. Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his hands at it and looks to drive it on the up. His left hand gets off the handle of the bat and the ball makes an impact pretty high on the bat. It goes in the air towards mid off where Ravichandran Ashwin moves to his right a bit and goes low to take a reverse cup catch around his face with both hands. Rajasthan are 4/1.

0.2Khaleel Ahmed to Yashasvi Jaiswal. no run, Drags his length a bit, and touch outside off, Jaiswal leans on and drops it down to mid off.

0.1Khaleel Ahmed to Yashasvi Jaiswal. FOUR, FOUR! Rajasthan and Yashasvi Jaiswal are underway straightaway with a boundary! What a cracking shot to begin with! Khaleel starts with a full ball and around off, gets it to shape away a bit, Yashasvi Jaiswal comes forward and creams his drive in the gap towards extra cover for a boundary. 

In all readiness for the action to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle, and the players of Chennai are seen in a huddle before they break open to take the field. Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the openers for Rajasthan. Khaleel Ahmed has the new ball in hand and is ready to start the proceedings. Away we go!

The skipper of Rajasthan, Riyan Parag, says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that he can’t describe in words how happy he is to lead his side in front of his home crowd, as he knows the ground well and has been brought up here. Mentions that they have done things well in bits and wants it to come as a collective in this game. Informs that they are going with the same team.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the captain of Chennai, says that they will bowl first and the wicket looks better than the one in the game last. Adds that the turnaround time wasn't much but it is what it is and it was nice to see the love from the fans here. Informs that they have two changes with Jamie Overton coming in for Sam Curran and Vijay Shankar is in for Deepak Hooda.

Impact players nominated by Chennai - Shivam Dube, Mukesh Choudhary, Devon Conway, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Vijay Shankar (In for Deepak Hooda), Jamie Overton (In for Sam Curran), Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.

Impact players nominated by Rajasthan - Kunal Singh Rathore, Shubham Dubey, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya, Yudhvir Singh.

Rajasthan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (C), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma.