Twitter Reactions: Royals pull things back after Watson-Raina stand

The stage was all set for the second show down in the season between the returning franchises of the 2018 edition of the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals hosted the Chennai Super Kings in the match number 43 of the season. Coming into the match, the two sides had contrasting fortunes. The Chennai Super Kings arrived in to the contest riding high on confidence after their sensational run in the season.

They sit comfortably among the top four in the points table and are almost certain to make it to the playoffs. On the other hand, the Rajasthan Royals are on the brink of elimination. However, their most recent win over the Kings XI Punjab in Jaipur kept their hopes alive. The action stayed in Jaipur as the two sides clashed in the game. At the half way stage, the Rajasthan Royals would feel they have given away 10-15 runs more than what they should have.

Having won the toss, the Chennai Super Kings opted to bat first. They did not get a very good start as Ambati Rayudu was sent packing on 12 by Jofra Archer in the very third over of the innings. Suresh Raina joined Shane Watson at the crease after Rayudu’s departure. Raina and Watson then steadied the innings for the visitors.

While Watson struggled to get his shots going in the game, Raina looked in a very good touch with the bat. The two senior batsmen added 86 runs for the second wicket to cross the 100-run mark for the team. The partnership was broken in the 12th over with archer dismissing Watson on 39 (31).

Meanwhile, Raina reached his fifty but perished in the very next over bowled by Ish Sodhi. Raina scored 52 off 35 balls with 6 fours and a six. After Raina’s dismissal, the innings slowed down a bit. Dhoni tried to rebuild the innings to some extent. Late runs from MS Dhoni (33*) and Sam Billings (27) helped Chennai Super Kings finish with 176/4 on the board.

Here is how the fans reacted to the Chennai Super Kings innings:

Last 4 innings of Dhoni in IPL:

51*
43*
31*
33*#IPL @mohanstatsman

— Dilip Singh (@Statsdilip) May 11, 2018

Best fielder in the world Stokesy ????????

— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt) May 11, 2018

Everytime I go to a cricket match, I wish the umpires have a good day. Otherwise the game suffers. Think of Jofra Archer. Nice first over and that wide call changed it.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2018

South Africa have never lost in a pink jersey. Will @rajasthanroyals repeat the trend and win in this pink jersey , which is a part of a fantastic initiative by the royals #RRvsCSK

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 11, 2018

Rahane to #Dhoni in Today's Match#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/2YzMc9R3jt

— Rishabh Srivastava (@AskRishabh) May 11, 2018

Moments like these ?#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/SdMWinlHu5

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 11, 2018

Suresh Raina completes 300 runs for this season.

He's the only player to have scored 300+ runs in all 11 IPL seasons. #RRvCSK

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 11, 2018

When you don't get enough hugs from teammates and opposition !! #RRvCSK #WhistlePodu #Raina #CSK pic.twitter.com/1AtPQutLSa

— Prabhu ? ‏ (@Cricprabhu) May 11, 2018

Today #Thala #Dhoni Innings ?#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/vy9RYdxxHt

— CSK டேணி ? (@Dany_offcl) May 11, 2018

Msdhoni Strike Rate in this IPL:-

1st match:- 100
2nd match:- 89
3rd match:- 179.55
4th match:- 166.67
5th match:- 208.33
6th match:- 205.88
7th match:- 231.82
8th match:- 172
9th match:- 134.78
10th match:- 143.48#RRvCSK @msdhoni

— VIRAT'S DHONI (@Cricketician_) May 11, 2018

Stuart Binny doesn't have that bad an IPL record.
Rajasthan Royals is not getting him to bowl.
Barely bat.
Just hang around.

Is he playing as a mascot?#RRvCSK

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) May 11, 2018

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