IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 37 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

After a thrilling last-over finish in the first match between these two teams in IPL 2023, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), however, settled for a one-sided affair in their reverse fixture on Thursday, April 27. However, like the previous encounter, this time too RR managed to get the better of the MS Dhoni-led team, defeating CSK by 32 runs in the 37th match played at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

RR started well in the game after being favoured by the coin and choosing to bat first.  Riding on Yashasvi Jaiswal's valiant knock of 77 runs, RR managed to put breach the 200-run mark and post a total of 202/5 on the board. In retaliation, Chennai only managed to score 170 at the end of 20 overs despite Shivam Dube's half-century and Ruturaj Gaikwad's 47-run knock, as leg spinner Adam Zampa struck thrice with the ball.

Let's look at the Talking Points from the game -

Yashasvi Jaiswal's blistering knock gives RR headstart against CSK

Winning the toss, RR rode on Yashasvi Jaiswal's swashbuckling innings to go past the 200-run mark. The 21-year-old took on the CSK bowlers right from the word go and smashed left, right and centre to bring up his third half-century of the tournament. He slammed eight fours and four sixes to put up a score of 77 in just 43 deliveries. 

He led the charge for RR for over half of the innings before falling prey to Tushar Deshpande in the 14th over, which also saw the fall of skipper Sanju Samson.

Shivam Dube's valiant half-century goes in vain

Shivam Dube, who has been in terrific form for CSK in the ongoing tournament, once again stood up for his team in their mountainous chase. Just as CSK were in a troubled position around the halfway mark, Dube came to execute the chase and smashed two fours and four maximums to notch up yet another half-century. He was dismissed by left-arm fast bowler Kuldip Yadav on the very last ball of the innings after having scored 52 runs off 33 balls.

Adam Zampa shines with the ball to seal match in RR's favour

Following a great outing with the willow, RR also came all guns blazing with the ball as well, the charge of which, it seemed, was taken by Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa. Zampa not only returned economic figures to choke CSK's run chase but also delivered three crucial breakthroughs to push the visitors further deep in the whirlpool of no return.

Zampa gave RR the first breakthrough by dismissing Devon Conway on the last ball of the powerplay, before giving effect to a similar fate to Conway's opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad. After sending both the openers back, Zampa struck for the third time to get rid of Moeen Ali for 23. He finished his three-over spell with figures of 3/22.

Losing Captain, MS Dhoni said -

It (target) was quite a bit above par. The reason was the first six overs, gave too many runs, but at the same time the pitch was best to bat on at that time. Even when they were finishing the edges kept going for boundaries. They got par+ score and we were not able to stop the runs. I felt his (Pathirana) bowling was very good, not that he bowled badly. The scorecard doesn't reflect how well he bowled. Yashasvi batted really well, important to go after the bowlers, took calculated risks. It was slightly easier against our bowlers because we had to assess the right lengths. Even then Yashasvi batted well at the top end and at the end Jurel batted really well. I think my first ODI hundred in Vizag gave me some 10 games, but the 183 over here gave me the chance for one year, so this venue is close to my heart.

Winning Captain, Sanju Samson said -

Winning this game was needed for the team atmosphere and for the fans, also our first win in Jaipur. We can't go one dimensional; if you're playing in Chinnaswamy or Wankhede, you will chase but looking at the conditions here, I took the chance to bat first. Even when we batted, all the youngsters came in and did the job. The mindset of attacking is a nice change. Credit has to go to the management and the support staff for what players are doing, you see Jaiswal at the RR academy during the off-season playing a lot of balls.

Player of the Match, Yashasvi Jaiswal said -

I enjoyed both (on which POTM award he liked better). I was trying to hit the ball but I was aware which side the wind was blowing, but I was also clear in the mind that I have to go and play good cricketing shots. It is not about just this season, I have been putting in the effort with the team management and I keep speaking to senior players like Dhoni sir and Virat bhai. I enjoy pressure and want to be there when there is pressure. I was only thinking of keeping my strike rate high and I knew we need 200 to defend on this surface.