IPL 2022, Match 68 RR vs CSK Stats Review: Moeen Ali’s highest score in the IPL, Jos Buttler’s dip in form, and other stats

Moeen Ali’s spectacular knock of 93 off just 57 went in vain as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered their tenth defeat of the campaign, against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 68 of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Ali’s devastating innings comprised 13 fours and three sixes which helped his side in posting a decent total of 150/6 on the board. Yashasvi Jaiswal made 59 while Ravi Ashwin remained unbeaten on 40 runs to seal a crucial five-wicket victory for RR which earned them a spot in the second position.

Talking about how the match panned out, skipper Sanju Samson lost his 12^th toss in the campaign as MS Dhoni and CSK opted to bat first. Kiwi pacer Trent Boult got rid of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad for just two runs while Devon Conway became Ashwin’s victim as he managed to score 16 runs. But CSK’s innings were about Moeen, who just ripped apart RR’s bowling with his sensational knock. The left-handed batter also registered his highest score in the IPL, surpassing 66, which he made against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019.

Captain Dhoni scored 26 off 28 with the Men in Yellow managing to reach 150 in 20 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal and Obed McCoy both took two wickets apiece for Samson’s team. Chasing just 151 to win, Jos Buttler’s lean run in the last few matches continued as the Orange Cap holder got dismissed for just two runs by Simarjeet Singh. Young Jaiswal kept the scoreboard ticking for his side and brought up his half-century. Samson and Devdutt Padikkal amassed 15 and three runs respectively.

Ashwin then took charge and reminded everyone of his batting abilities. He smashed two fours and three maximums to seal a crucial victory as his RR side will now get two bites at the cherry for a place in the mega final after entering the top two. They displaced Lucknow Super Giants courtesy of a better net run rate and will now entertain table-toppers Gujarat Titans in Qualifier one match on May 24, 2022, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. CSK’s dismal campaign ended with just four wins as they finished ninth. For his vital knock of 40* off 23 and figures of 1/28, Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed the Player of the Match award.

Meanwhile, here are some of the important stats and numbers from Match 68 between RR and CSK in the IPL 2022:

 93 – Moeen Ali registered his highest score of 93 in the IPL. His previous best was 66 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019.

75/1 – CSK recorded their highest total of 75/1 in the powerplay this season. Their previous best was 73/1 against Lucknow Super Giants.

26 – Yuzvendra Chahal equaled Imran Tahir for picking up most wickets (26) by a spinner in an IPL season. Tahir had also taken as many scalps in the 2019 edition.

19 – Moeen scripted the second-fastest fifty (19 balls) of this campaign. The fastest is by Pat Cummins who smashed it in 14 balls against Mumbai Indians.

138 – After scoring 491 runs at an average of 81.8 in the first seven matches, Jos Buttler has scored just 138 runs in the next seven at a poor average of 19.7.

15 – Riyan Parag is now tied with Kieron Pollard on the second spot for taking the most catches (15) in an IPL edition. Pollard also grabbed as many catches in 2017 while AB de Villiers is on top for plucking 19 in the 2016 season.

12 – Sanju Samson equaled MS Dhoni for losing most tosses (12) in an IPL campaign. Skipper Dhoni also lost 12 in the 2012 season.

501 – Yashasvi Jaiswal reached 500 runs in the IPL.

1 – Moeen achieved the best score of 93 by a batter at no. three this season. He surpassed Mitchell Marsh’s score of 89 which he scored against RR.

2 – Moeen also recorded the second-fastest half-century (19 balls) by a CSK batter in the IPL. Suresh Raina tops the chart for slamming it in 16 deliveries against Punjab Kings in 2014.

500 – MS Dhoni completed the landmark of 500 fours in T20 cricket.

51 – R Ashwin reached 50 fours in the tournament.

503 – Riyan Parag also completed the milestone of 500 runs in the IPL.