CSK regain top spot in points table defeating RR in a last over thriller

MS Dhoni's innings along with Ambati Rayudu set the stage for CSK. Image source: IPL twitter account 

Another day and another thriller match in Indian Premier League 2019. Chennai Super Kings, held their nerves and pulled out a last ball nail-biting match against Rajasthan Royals(RR). RR were way ahead in the game with CSK 24 for 4, but the innings of Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni set the stage for the away team. Dhoni almost took the team home with his innings of 58 off 43 which included 2 boundaries and 3 sixes. This was also Dhoni's 100th IPL victory as a captain. With the win, CSK regain their top spot. 

CSK needed 18 runs off the last over of Ben Stokes. It was started by a six off the first ball and a single and no-ball on the second delivery. However, Dhoni could only take a double off the freehit. Stokes had saved his best delivery for the next ball, as he got the wicket of the mighty MS Dhoni on a toe-crushing yorker. However, the next ball created controversy with the no-ball confusion. 

The umpire next to the bowler signaled a no-ball for height issue before the leg umpire signaled it, which was overturned later and the ball was counted. This even got Dhoni on the ground to debate with the umpires. The equation was now down to 4 off 1 as Stokes bowled a wide to get it down to 3 off the last ball. It was Mitchell Stantner who smashed the final ball over the boundary ropes to win it for CSK.

If catches win match, then RR were meant to win this match. Rahul Tripathi first, followed by a by Ben Stokes took stunning catches to send back Faf du Plessis(7) and Kedar Jadhav(1) respectively. CSK were only 50 at the end of 10 overs with 4 wickets down. However, Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu (57) added 95 to the sixth wicket partnership to take CSK from 24 for 4 to 119 for 5. 

They started slow and accelerated when set. A boundary an over made sure they had required rate within control, and with Dhoni in the middle, anything was possible. Rayudu completed his half-century in 41 balls and hit 2 boundaries and 3 sixes in his whole innings. Shreyas Gopal again took a blinder to send Rayudu back to the dressing room in the 18th over. It was all up to Dhoni now, but he was seen struggling in the second last over. In fact, he was down and required treatment. 

In the first innings, CSK bowlers did well to restrict RR to a total of 151 picking 7 wickets. Their disciplined bowling did not allow any batsmen to even cross 30. It was only Imran Tahir—highest wicket-taker for CSK with 9 wickets— who went wicket-less. Ravindra Jadeja was the star with ball with figures 4-0-20-2. 

Scorecard: RR 151 for 7 in 20 overs (Ben Stokes 28, Shreyas Gopal 19*; Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-20-2) lost to CSK 155 for 6 in 20 overs (MS Dhoni 58, Ambati Rayudu 57; Dhawal Kulkarni 3-1-14-1) by 4 wickets