Rajasthan Royals batsman Sanju Samson plays a shot during a cricket match against Chennai Super Kings of IPL 2020, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Photo: PTI
In the match 4 of 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2020), Sanju Samson's effortless six-hitting exhibition along with Jofra Archer's magnificent all-round show helped Rajasthan Royals to beat Chennai Super Kings by 16 runs at the Sharjah cricket stadium on Tuesday.
Rated as the weakest among eight teams, Stokes-Buttler-less Royals did most things right under skipper Steve Smith.
On a placid Sharjah track, Royals amassed 216 for 7 with the help of Samson's 74 off 32 balls that had nine maximums apart from a solitary boundary.
He found an able ally in skipper Steve Smith, who opened in T20 cricket for the first time in his career and scored 69 off 47 balls without much fuss while making a comeback to competitive cricket after a concussion break.
But it was Archer's four sixes off Lungi Ngidi in the final over that tilted the scales decisively with 30 runs coming off it.
Even going by the easy nature of the track, scoreboard pressure was always there and CSK still managed 200 for 6 with Archer (1/26 off 4 overs) swinging it in favour of Royals with a decisive 19th over.
IPL 2020, Match 4: CSK vs RR highlights
Rahul Tewatia (3/37 in 4 overs) also need to be credited for his wickets at the top of the order.
It was always a catch-up game for CSK and one imagined that their skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would at least try and come up the order but he came at No 7 when the match was as good as over.
The night belonged to Samson, a man rated for his talent but criticised for his lack of consistency. He always has one or two incredible IPL days every year. Tuesday was one such day when he was at his brilliant best.
Piyush Chawla after a dream start to his IPL career was hit for three sixes in one over by Samson, all clean hits that landed several rows behind. His skipper also joined the six hitting competition hitting four himself adding 121 for the second wicket in just 9.2 overs.
What stood out was the minimum effort he used in lofting the straight sixes as the bat looked like a mere extension of his hands.
Chawla (1/55) and Ravindra Jadeja (0/40 in 4 overs) were targeted keeping short boundaries in mind and 95 runs came off those 8 overs from slow bowlers.
Just when it looked that a century was there for taking, Samson was holed out at deep extra cover trying to hit Ngidi for a six.
Once Smith was out in the 18th over, a total of 200 that looked so imminent after first 10, started looking distant. Till Archer decided to use his bat like sword and scythed through a hapless Ngidi, who lost nerve and length simultaneously. Four sixes and 30 runs finally proved to be decisive.
CSK did try at one stage with Faf du Plessis (72 off 37 balls) launching into Jaydev Unadkat (0/44 in 4 overs)'s final over hitting him for three sixes and seven in all.
However Archer bowled a lethal short ball that grew big on Du Plessis to close in the match with Dhoni's (29 off 17 balls) three sixes in final over were in a lost cause.
Rajasthan Royals playing 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), David Miller, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Tom Curran, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat.
Chennai Super Kings playing 11: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis,, MS Dhoni(w/c), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi.
Over Summary: 1 1 6 6 6 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 200-6 ; MS Dhoni (29), Ravindra Jadeja (1)
Tom Curran continues
Ball 6: A slow bumper and Dhoni hits towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 5: A shirt delivery and Dhoni pulls towards backward square leg boundary for SIX.
Ball 4: Dhoni goes down on one knee and slogs towards deep mid-wicket for a MASSIVE SIX. 92 metres.
Ball 3: Dhoni wallopes towards deep mid-wicket for a GIGANTIC SIX.
Ball 2: Jadeja tucks towards off side for a single.
Ball 1: Dhoni hits towards cow corner for a single.
Over 19, RR vs CSK live score: 179-6; CSK needs 38 runs in 6 balls
Over Summary: 2 1 1 6 W 0 ; Chennai Super Kings: 179-6 ; MS Dhoni (8), Ravindra Jadeja (0)
Jofra Archer [3.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A short delivery and Jadeja leaves it to keeper.
Ball 5: A pacy short delivery from Archer, du plessis gets a top edge and Samson completes the catch. du Plessis c Samson b Jofra Archer 72(37) [4s-1 6s-7]
Ball 4: du Plessis smashes towards deep mid-wicket for a GIGANTIC SIX.
Ball 3: Dhoni hits towards backward square leg for a single.
Ball 2: du Plessis hits towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 1: du Plessis hits, uppishly, towards deep extra cover for a single
Over 18, RR vs CSK live score: 169-5; CSK needs 48 runs in 12 balls
Over Summary: 1 6 0 1 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 169-5 ; MS Dhoni (8), Faf du Plessis (63)
Tom Curran [2.0-0-23-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: du Plessis smashes towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 5: Dhoni hits towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 4: du Plessis hits over extra cover towards wide of long-off for a single.
Ball 3: A yorker and du Plessis squeezes it to short fine leg, goes for a single, would have been runout if there was direct hit, DOT.
Ball 2: du Plessis wallopes over long-off for a GIGANTIC SIX, Faf is dealing in SIXES now.
Ball 1: Dhoni smashes towards sweeper cover for a single.
Over 17, RR vs CSK live score: 159-5; CSK needs 58 runs in 18 balls; du Plessis fifty
Over Summary: 1 6 1 1 6 6 ; Chennai Super Kings: 159-5 ; MS Dhoni (6), Faf du Plessis (55)
Jaydev Unadkat [3.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: du Plessis wallopes down the ground for SIX.
Ball 5: A slow bumper and du Plessis plays a forehand shot towards cow corner for SIX.
Ball 4: Dhoni pushes towards extra cover for a single.
Ball 3: du Plessis hits towards mid-wicket region for a single.
Ball 2: du Plessis dances down the ground and smacks the ball towards long-on boundary for SIX.
Ball 1: Dhoni hits towards long-off for a single.
Over 16, RR vs CSK live score: 138-5; CSK needs 79 runs in 24 balls
Over Summary: Wd 0 4 1 0 0 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 138-5 ; MS Dhoni (4), Faf du Plessis (36)
Jofra Archer [2.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Dhoni taps towards backward point for a single.
Ball 5: Another short delivery, Dhoni does not over a shot, DOT.
Ball 4: A short delivery, Dhoni tries to play a pull shot, misses, DOT.
Ball 3: du Plessis hits the short delivery just over mid-wicket fielder for a single.
Ball 2: du Plessis hits the slow delivery towards extra cover for FOUR.
Ball 1: du Plessis cuts towards backward point for no run.
Ball 1: Archer starts with a WIDE down the leg side
Over 15, RR vs CSK live score: 131-5; CSK needs 86 runs in 30 balls
Over Summary: 1 6 1 1 6 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 131-5 ; MS Dhoni (2), Faf du Plessis (31)
Rahul Tewatia [3.0-0-21-3] is back into the attack
Ball 6: du Plessis smashes towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 5: du Plessis swings and swings hard, sends the ball intobthe stands for SIX.
Ball 4: Dhoni hits down the ground for a single,
Ball 3: du Plessis collects a single.
Ball 2: du Plessis smacks towards long-off, a mis judgement from Parag at Long-on gives CSK a SIX.
Ball 1: Dhoni clips towards square leg for a single.
Over 14, RR vs CSK live score: 115-5; Kedar Jadhav departs
Over Summary: 2 1 N1 1 W 0 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 115-5 ; MS Dhoni (1), Faf du Plessis (17)
Tom Curran [1.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Dhoni hits towards cow corner for a single.
Ball 5: DOT
MS Dhoni, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 4: A faster delivery, Jadhav tries to muscle it out of the park, gets a top edge to keeper, GONE. Kedar Jadhav c Samson b Tom Curran 22(16) [4s-3]
Ball 3: FREE HIT, du Plessis holed up to long-on, collects a single.
Ball 3: A loopy full toss, NO BALL called, Jadhav collects a single.
Ball 2: A single for du Plessis towards long-off.
Ball 1: du Plessis hits straight the ground for a couple of runs.
Over 13, RR vs CSK live score: 108-4; CRR: 8.31 REQ: 15.57
Over Summary: 1 1 1 1 Wd 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 108-4 ; Kedar Jadhav (21), Faf du Plessis (13)
Jaydev Unadkat [2.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: du Plessis collects a single towards extra cover.
Ball 5: Jadhav pushes towards extra cover for a single.
Ball 5: WIDE
Ball 4: du Plessis hits towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 3: Jadhav collects a single towards deep square leg.
Ball 2: A loopy slow delivery and du Plessis hits towards cow corner for a single.
Ball 1: Kedar Jadhav hits down the ground for a single.
Over 12, RR vs CSK live score: 101-4; CRR: 8.42 REQ: 14.5
Over Summary: 4 4 4 1 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 101-4 ; Kedar Jadhav (18), Faf du Plessis (10)
Shreyas Gopal continues...
Ball 6: Jadhav smashes towards long-off for a single.
Ball 5: du Plessis hits towards deep backward point for a single.
Ball 4: Jadhav drives towards extra cover region for a single.
Ball 3: Jadhav moves leg side, plays inside out shot over extra cover for FOUR.
Ball 2: Jadhav cuts over backward point for FOUR.
Ball 1: Jadhav whips straight down the ground for FOUR.
Over 11, RR vs CSK live score: 86-4
Over Summary: 1 0 1 0 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 86-4 ; Kedar Jadhav (4), Faf du Plessis (9)
Tewatia continues...
Ball 6: Jadhav hits towards long-off for a single.
Ball 5: A single for du Plessis.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Jadhav collects a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: du Plessis collects a single towards mid-wicket.
Over 10, RR vs CSK live score: 82-4; CRR: 8.2 REQ: 13.5
Over Summary: 1 1 1 1 1 0 ; Chennai Super Kings: 82-4 ; Kedar Jadhav (2), Faf du Plessis (4)
Shreyas Gopal continues...
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: A single for du Plessis down the ground.
Ball 4: Jadhav hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: A single for du Plessis.
Ball 2: A single for Jadhav
Ball 1: du Plessis tucks towards mid-wicket for a single.
Kedar Jadhav, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 9, RR vs CSK live score: 77-4; Tewatia scalps Sam, Ruturaj
Over Summary: 1 6 6 0 W W ; Chennai Super Kings: 77-4 ; Faf du Plessis (4)
Rahul Tewatia continues...
Ball 6: Ruturaj Gaikwad, right handed bat, comes to the crease and dances down the track, misses and gets STUMPED, WHAT A MINDLESS BATTING BY A DEBUTANT.Ruturaj Gaikwad st Samson b Rahul Tewatia 0(1)
Ball 5: Sam Curran dances down the wicket, but Tewatia pitch it short, misses, gets STUMPED. Sam Curran st Samson b Rahul Tewatia 17(6) [4s-1 6s-2]
Ball 4: Sam Curran comes the wicket again, this time beaten in flight so blocks it.
Ball 3: A flighted delivery and Sam Curran again comes down the wicket. wallopes straight down the ground for SIX.
Ball 2: Sam Curran comes down the wicket and smokes the googly straight down the ground for SIX.
Ball 1: du Plessis works towards mid-wicket for a single.
Over 8, RR vs CSK live score: 64-2; Gopal scalps Vijay
Over Summary: 0 1 W 4 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 64-2 ; Sam Curran (5), Faf du Plessis (2)
Shreyas Gopal [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A full toss, du Plessis hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 5: A single for Curran towards mid-wicket.
Ball 4: Sam Curran, left handed bat, comes to the crease and smashes towards deep mid-wicket for FOUR.
Ball 3: Vijay tries to hit a biggie, holed it up to deep square leg. Vijay c Tom Curran b Shreyas Gopal 21(21) [4s-3]
Ball 2: du Plessis collects a single.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 7, RR vs CSK live score: 57-1; Tewatia scalps Watson
Over Summary: 1 1 1 W 1 0 ; Chennai Super Kings: 57-1 ; Murali Vijay (21), Faf du Plessis (1)
Rahul Tewatia, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Faf du Plessis, right handed bat, comes to the crease and drives down the ground for a single.
Ball 4: Watson goes on backfoot and tries to send the ball out of stadium, misses, BOWLED. Watson b Rahul Tewatia 33(21) [4s-1 6s-4]
Ball 3: Vijay clips towards mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: Watson collects a single towards long-off.
Ball 1: Vijay collects a single.
Over 6, RR vs CSK live score: 53-0; Watson on fire
Over Summary: 0 L1 6 6 4 0 ; Chennai Super Kings: 53-0 ; Murali Vijay (19), Shane Watson (32)
Tom Curran, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Watson digs out the yorker to cover for no run.
Ball 5: Ball on the off stump and Watson cuts through short third man for FOUR.
Ball 4: Another short delivery and this time Watson deposited it to deep square leg boundary for SIX.
Ball 3: A short ball on the leg side and Watson helps it to fine leg boundary for SIX.
Ball 2: One leg byes for Chennai.
Ball 1: Tom Curran deceives Vijay with a slow delivery, DOT.
Over 5, RR vs CSK live score: 36-0
Over Summary: 0 4 0 1 0 6 ; Chennai Super Kings: 36-0 ; Murali Vijay (19), Shane Watson (16)
Shreyas Gopal, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Another half tracker and Watson smashes towards deep square leg for SIX.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: A single for Vijay.
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Vijay pulls the half tracker towards deep deep square leg for FOUR.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 4, RR vs CSK live score: 25-0
Over Summary: 6 0 0 0 0 0 ; Chennai Super Kings: 25-0 ; Murali Vijay (14), Shane Watson (10)
Jofra Archer continues
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Ball on the pads and Watson whips it towards deep square leg for FOUR.
Over 3, RR vs CSK live score: 19-0
Over Summary: 4 4 1 0 Wd 1 0 ; Chennai Super Kings: 19-0 ; Murali Vijay (14), Shane Watson (4)
Unadkat continues...
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Watson hits towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 5: A bumper, goes over Watson's head, WIDE called.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Vijay taps towards cover and collects a single.
Ball 2: Vijay hits on the up straight down the ground for FOUR.
Ball 1: Ball on the pads and Vijay glances through short fine leg for FOUR.
Over 2, RR vs CSK live score: 8-0
Over Summary: 0 0 1 0 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 8-0 ; Murali Vijay (5), Shane Watson (3)
Jofra Archer, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Vijay collects a single.
Ball 5: Watson collects a single.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Vijay collects a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: DOT
Over 1, RR vs CSK live score: 5-0
Over Summary: 1 1 1 0 1 1 ; Chennai Super Kings: 5-0 ; Murali Vijay (3), Shane Watson (2)
Vijay and Watson are at the crease. Vijay is on strike. Unadkat will open the attack
Ball 6: A single for Vijay thanks to an over throw.
Ball 5: A single for Watson
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Vijay collects a single.
Ball 2: Watson collects a single.
Ball 1: Vijay glances towards fine leg for a single.
Over 20, RR vs CSK live score: 216-7; Ngidi leaks 30 runs in the over.
Ball 5: A short delivery, Tom Curran hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 4: A pacy bouncer, Archer pulls without and timing towards deep fine leg for a single.
Ball 3: FREE HIT, A slow delivery and Archer fails to put bat on ball, as he swings blindly.
Ball 3: FREE HIT, A wide delivery outside off, WIDE called as Archer misses the slog.
Ball 3: FREE HIT, a full delivery and Archer smashes straight down the ground for SIX. It is yet another NO BALL.
Ball 3: A length delivery and Archer smashes towards cow corner for SIX. Umpire is looking for NO BALL and yes it is.
Ball 2: A short delivery and Jofra Archer sends it out of stadium. GIGANTIC SIX.
Ball 1: A slow delivery and Archer smashes straight down the ground for SIX.
Over 19, RR vs CSK live score: 186-7; Smith departs
Over Summary: 1 W 4 2 1 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 186-7 ; Tom Curran (9), Jofra Archer (1)
Sam Curran continues...
Ball 6: Jofra hits towards long-on for a single.
Ball 5: Tom collects a single towards square leg.
Ball 4: Tom hits straight down the ground for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Tom squeezes the yorker towards third man region for FOUR.
Jofra Archer, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: Smith goes for a biggie holed up to deep mid-wicket. Smith c Kedar Jadhav b Sam Curran 69(47) [4s-4 6s-4]
Ball 1: Tom flicks towards backward square leg for a single.
Over 18, RR vs CSK live score: 177-6
Over Summary: 1 B1 1 0 0 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 177-6 ; Tom Curran (1), Steve Smith (69)
Deepak Chahar [3.0-0-28-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Curran towards cover.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Smith collects a single.
Ball 2: One Byes for Rajasthan Royals.
Ball 1: Smith collects a single.
Tom Curran, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 17, RR vs CSK live score: 173-6
Over Summary: 1 W 0 2 4 W ; Rajasthan Royals: 173-6 ; Riyan Parag (6), Steve Smith (67)
Sam Curran [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Parag edges to keeper, GONE. Riyan Parag c Dhoni b Sam Curran 6(4) [4s-1]
Ball 5: Parag smashes FOUR.
Ball 4: Parag hits wide of cover for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: DOT
Riyan Parag, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: Sam Curran traps tewatia in front of wicket. Rahul Tewatia lbw b Sam Curran 10(8) [4s-1]
Ball 1: Smith nudges towards point for a single.
Over 16, RR vs CSK live score: 166-4
Over Summary: 1 4 1 4 2 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 166-4 ; Rahul Tewatia (10), Steve Smith (66)
Lungi Ngidi [2.0-0-14-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Ngidi beats Tewatia, DOT.
Ball 5: Tewatia hits towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 4: Rahul Tewatia smashes over extra cover for FOUR.
Ball 3: Smith nudges behind square on leg side for a single.
Ball 2: Smith scoops over short fine leg for FOUR.
Ball 1: rahul tewatia collects a single.
Over 15, RR vs CSK live score: 154-4; Chawla scalps Uthappa
Over Summary: W 1 1 1 1 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 154-4 ; Rahul Tewatia (3), Steve Smith (61)
Piyush Chawla continues...
Ball 6: A single for Tewatia towards third man.
Ball 5: Smith flicks towards deep square leg for a single
Ball 4: Tewatia hits down thre ground for a single.
Ball 3: Smith hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 2: Rahul Tewatia, left handed bat, comes to the crease and collects a single.
Ball 1: Uthappa tries to hit big, holed up to long-off. Uthappa c du Plessis b Chawla 5(9)
Over 14, RR vs CSK live score: 149-3
Over Summary: 1 1 1 Wd 6 1 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 149-3 ; Robin Uthappa (5), Steve Smith (59)
Ravindra Jadeja [3.0-0-28-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 5: Smith collects a single.
Ball 4: Smith smashes towards lomg-off and Sam Curran parried it over boundary line for SIX.
Ball 3: WIDE
Ball 3: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 2: Smith collects a single.
Ball 1: Uthappa collects a single.
Over 13, RR vs CSK live score: 137-3
Over Summary: 0 1 1 0 0 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 137-3 ; Robin Uthappa (2), Steve Smith (51)
Piyush Chawla [2.0-0-47-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Uthappa
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Smith collects a single.
Ball 2: Uthappa collects a single.
Ball 1: DOT
Robin Uthappa, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 12, RR vs CSK live score: 134-3; Smith hits FIFTY; Miller, Samson depart
Over Summary: 1 1 1 W Wd 0 W1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 134-3 ; David Miller (0), Steve Smith (50)
Lungi Ngidi [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Miller Runout without facing a ball.
Ball 5: WIDE
David Miller, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 4: Samson goes for another biggie, gets a top edge and holed up to Deepak Chahar. Samson c Chahar b Ngidi 74(32) [4s-1 6s-9]
Ball 3: Smith collects towards third man.
Ball 2: A single for Samson.
Ball 1: Smith collects a single.
Over 11, RR vs CSK live score: 129-1; Samson hitting sixes at will
Over Summary: 1 0 6 1 Wd 1 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 129-1 ; Sanju Samson (73), Steve Smith (47)
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Smith collects a single towards sweeper cover.
Ball 5: WIDE
Ball 4: Samson collects a single towards mid-wicket.
Ball 3: Samson smashes straight down the ground for SIX.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Smith nudges towards mid-wicket for a single.
Over 10, RR vs CSK live score: 119-1; Smith, Samson put up 100-run stand
Over Summary: 6 1 6 1 4 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 119-1 ; Sanju Samson (66), Steve Smith (45)
Chawla continues...
Ball 6: A single for Smith.
Ball 5: Smith cuts towards third man region for FOUR
Ball 4: A single for Samson towards cover.
Ball 3: A full delivery and Samson wallopes straight down the ground for SIX. Chawla has lostthe plot
Ball 2: Smith collects single towards sweeper cover.
Ball 1: A full delivery outside off and Smith smashes it straight down the ground for SIX.
Over 9, RR vs CSK live score: 100-1
Over Summary: 1 0 1 0 1 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 100-1 ; Sanju Samson (59), Steve Smith (33)
Jadeja continues
Ball 6: A single for Smith.
Ball 5: Samson drags towards square leg for a single.
Ball 4: Samson gets an inside edge to slip region, no run.
Ball 3: Smith works towards mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 2: A loud appeal for LBW against Smith, umpire remains unmoved.
Ball 1:Samson tucks towards mid-wicket for a single.
Over 8, RR vs CSK live score: 96-1; Samson hits 19-ball FIFTY; Chawla leaks 28 runs
Over Summary: 6 6 1 1 6 N1 6 ; Rajasthan Royals: 96-1 ; Sanju Samson (57), Steve Smith (31)
Piyush Chawla, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: FREE HIT, A faster one outside off and Smith goes on backfoot, hits over sweeper cover for SIX.
Ball 6: Samson hits towards sweeper cover for a single. There is a no ball check and it is a NO BALL.
Ball 5: Samson is dealing in SIXES now as he smashes straigh down the ground.
Ball 4: Smith works towards mid-wicket for a single
Ball 3: Samson drives towards cover for an easy single and completes his 19-ball FIFTY.
Ball 2: Smason wallopes towards extra cover for SIX.
Ball 1: A flighted delivery and Samson hits straight down the ground for SIX.
Over 7, RR vs CSK live score: 68-1; Samson hits two consecutive sixes
Over Summary: 1 6 6 0 1 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 68-1 ; Sanju Samson (37), Steve Smith (24)
Ravindra Jadeja, Left arm orthodox, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Smith hits back to bowler.
Ball 5: Samson taps towards point for a single.
Ball 4: Samson blocks
Ball 3: A full delivery and Samson plays a cracking shot, sends the ball outside the stadium.
Ball 2: Samson slogs towards deep mid-wicket for SIX,
Ball 1: Smith hits towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Over 6, RR vs CSK live score: 54-1
Over Summary: 1 1 6 1 4 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 54-1 ; Sanju Samson (24), Steve Smith (23)
Deepak Chahar [2.0-0-14-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Smith knocks towards mid-off for a quick single.
Ball 5: Ball on the pads and Smith glances towards deep fine leg for FOUR.
Ball 4: Samson works towards mid-wicket region for a single.
Ball 3: A short delivery and Samson smashes towards deep square leg for SIX.
Ball 2: Smith collects a single.
Ball 1: Samson pushes towards cover for a single.
Over 5, RR vs CSK live score: 40-1
Over Summary: 1 0 4 6 2 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 40-1 ; Sanju Samson (16), Steve Smith (17)
Sam Curran [1.0-0-3-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Samson.
Ball 5: Samson collects a couple of runs.
Ball 4: A short delivery and Samson transfers his weight on backfoot, pulls towards deep square leg for SIX.
Ball 3: Samson edges through vacant slip cordon for FOUR
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Smith collects a single towards mi-on.
Over 4, RR vs CSK live score: 26-1
Over Summary: 6 0 1 0 0 2 ; Rajasthan Royals: 26-1 ; Sanju Samson (3), Steve Smith (16)
Lungi Ngidi, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A short delivery and Samson hits over mid-on for a couple of runs.
Ball 5: Samson taps towards backward point for no run.
Ball 4: Samson works towards mid-wicket region for no run.
Ball 3: Smith cuts towards backward point for a single.
Ball 2: Smith tucks towards mid-wicket region for a single.
Ball 1: Lungi starts with a gentle loosner down the leg side. An angling delivery on leg side and Smith deposited it into the stands for SIX
Over 3, RR vs CSK live score: 17-1; Chahar gets Jaiswal
Over Summary: 4 W 1 0 4 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 17-1 ; Sanju Samson (1), Steve Smith (9)
Deepak Chahar continues...
Ball 6: Smith taps towards backward point for a quick single.
Ball 5: A short delivery and Smith pulls towards deep mid-wicket for FOUR.
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: Sanju Samson, right handed bat, comes to the crease and flicks towards fine leg for a single.
Ball 2: A short delivery, Jaiswal tries to pull it, gets an top-edge. Chahar completes the catch at striker's end. Jaiswal c and b Chahar 6(6) [4s-1]
Ball 1: A length delivery and Jaiswal goes on backfoot and smashes towards deep mid-wicket for FOUR/
Over 2, RR vs CSK live score: 7-0
Over Summary: 0 Wd 0 1 1 0 0 ; Rajasthan Royals: 7-0 ; Yashasvi Jaiswal (2), Steve Smith (4)
Sam Curran, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Sam beats Smith outside off.
Ball 5: Smith comes down the wicket, Curran pitch it short. Smith tries to pull but doesn't get the desired timing, DOT
Ball 4: Jaiswal clips towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 3: Smith drives towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 2: WIDE
Ball 1: Smith taps towards backward point for no run.
Over 1, RR vs CSK live score: 4-0
Over Summary: 0 0 1 2 0 1 ; Rajasthan Royals: 4-0 ; Yashasvi Jaiswal (1), Steve Smith (3)
Jaiswal and Smith are at the crease. Jaiswal is on strike. Chahar opens the attack
Ball 6: A short of length delivery, Smith gets top of it and punches towards cover point region for a single.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: Steve Smith moves across and flicks towards deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: Yashasvi steers down to third man for a single.
Ball 2: Yashasvi drives towards mid-off for a single.
Ball 1: DOT
RR vs CSK playing 11
Rajasthan Royals playing 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), David Miller, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Tom Curran, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat.
Chennai Super Kings playing 11: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni(w/c), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi.
RR playing 11 updates: Four overseas players
Steve Smith, Jofra Archer, David Miller and Tom Curran
CSK playing 11
CSK playing 11: MS Dhoni (C, WK), Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Kedar Jadhav, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi.
RR vs CSK playing 11 prediction
CSK tentative playing 11: MS Dhoni (C, WK), Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Kedar Jadhav, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi.
RR tentative playing 11: Sanju Samson (Wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith, David Miller, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Oshane Thomas, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande.
PITCH REPORT
There is no grass on Sharjah pitch and it is expected to support batsman. the best time for batting would be the first half, reckons Kevin Pieterson.
Here are the squad
Rajasthan Royals Squad: Robin Uthappa, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), David Miller, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron, Aniruddha Joshi, Manan Vohra, Ankit Rajpoot, Andrew Tye, Rahul Tewatia, Shashank Singh, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Mayank Markande, Anuj Rawat, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh
Chennai Super Kings Squad: Murali Vijay, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Kedar Jadhav, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla, Lungi Ngidi, Karn Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Imran Tahir, Shardul Thakur, Monu Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, N Jagadeesan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KM Asif
Key batsman for Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal
Under-19 star Yashasvi Jaiswal will be key for Rajasthan Royals
Shane Watson came to Super Kings’ fold ahead of IPL 2018 and the Australian all-rounder helped his franchise win the title after completing a two-year ban. He set the tone for CSK at the top of the batting order, which helped the middle and lower-order batsman. In CSK's first match, he failed to trouble the scorer but you never know when this veteran can change the complexion of game.
In IPL 2019, in spite of not being in form, his knock in playoffs helped CSK play the summit clash with Mumbai Indians. In the 134 matches played so far, Watson scored 3,575 runs at an average of 31.08 and a strike rate of 139.53, along with 4 centuries and 19 fifties.
In the bowling department, he has taken 92 wickets, while conceding runs at the rate of 7.93 an over. Although, he was out from international cricket for quite some time, he has been hitting the ball brilliantly, as was visible during a Bushfire charity match.
Key bowler for CSK: Deepak Chahar
National role: Bowler
Bowling style: Right arm medium
Batting style: Right handed batsman
Deepak Chahar was one of the two players in CSK who tested positive for coronavirus after the team landed in UAE. This forced him to remain indoors and he finally joined the team for a practice session on September 11. In the CSK first match he scalped 2 wickets and conceded 32 runs in his full quota of 4 overs.
The medium pacer got the national call on his brilliant IPL stint in the last two seasons. In IPL 2018, he took 10 wickets in 12 matches with an economy rate of 7.28 and played some crucial knocks down the order, taking his team to victory.
In IPL 2019, he played all the 17 matches and took 22 wickets with an economy rate of 7.47. He did not have an exceptional start to his international career, but later on, became a consistent member of India’s T20 squad and a strike bowler. Although he was injured during the ODI series against the West Indies and was ruled out till March, the forced break due to the coronavirus pandemic helped him recover completely.
Being a strike bowler for CSK, Chahar will look to put up a strong performance in IPL 2020 to claim a spot in T20 World Cup squad.
Here is RR full squad for IPL 2020:
Here is RR full squad for IPL 2020:
Player
Team
Retained/bought/traded
Price (Rs cr)
Akash Singh (uncapped)
RR
Bought
0.20
Andrew Tye
RR
Bought
1.00
Anirudha Joshi (uncapped)
RR
Bought
0.20
Ankit Rajpoot
RR
Traded in
3.00
Anuj Rawat (uncapped)
RR
Bought
0.80
Ben Stokes
RR
Retained
12.50
David Miller
RR
Bought
0.75
Jaydev Unadkat
RR
Bought
3.00
Jofra Archer
RR
Retained
7.20
Jos Buttler
RR
Retained
4.40
Kartik Tyagi (uncapped)
RR
Bought
1.30
Mahipal Lomror
RR
Retained
0.20
Manan Vohra
RR
Retained
0.20
Mayank Markande
RR
Traded in
2.00
Oshane Thomas
RR
Bought
0.50
Rahul Tewatia
RR
Traded in
3.00
Riyan Parag
RR
Retained
0.20
Robin Uthappa
RR
Bought
3.00
Sanju Samson
RR
Retained
8.00
Shashank Singh
RR
Retained
0.30
Shreyas Gopal
RR
Retained
0.20
Steve Smith
RR
Retained
12.50
Tom Curran
RR
Bought
1.00
Varun Aaron
RR
Retained
2.40
Yashasvi Jaiswal (uncapped)
RR
Bought
2.40
Full list of CSK’s IPL 2020 players along with their salaries:
Full list of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2020 players along with their salaries:
Player
Team
Retained/bought
Price (Rs cr)
MS Dhoni
CSK
Retained
15.00
Suresh Raina (Withdrawn)
CSK
Retained
11.00
Kedar Jadhav
CSK
Retained
7.80
Ravindra Jadeja
CSK
Retained
7.00
Piyush Chawla
CSK
Bought
6.75
Dwayne Bravo
CSK
Retained
6.40
Sam Curran
CSK
Bought
5.50
Karn Sharma
CSK
Retained
5.00
Shane Watson
CSK
Retained
4.00
Shardul Thakur
CSK
Retained
2.60
Ambati Rayudu
CSK
Retained
2.20
Harbhajan Singh (Withdrawn)
CSK
Retained
2.00
Josh Hazlewood
CSK
Bought
2.00
Murli Vijay
CSK
Retained
2.00
Faf du Plessis
CSK
Retained
1.60
Imran Tahir
CSK
Retained
1.00
Deepak Chahar
CSK
Retained
0.80
Lungi Ngidi
CSK
Retained
0.50
Mitchell Santner
CSK
Retained
0.50
K M Asif
CSK
Retained
0.40
Monu Kumar
CSK
Retained
0.20
Narayan Jagadeesan
CSK
Retained
0.20
R Sai Kishore (uncapped)
CSK
Bought
0.20
Ruturaj Gaikwad
CSK
Retained
0.20
CSK team news
CSK, on the other hand, should be be brimming with confidence after their dominant show in the opener.
They have again showed how to work around with resources and Sam Curran coming good with an all-round show means that Dwayne Bravo would not be missed even if he is set to miss a few more games due to injury.
Rayudu and Faf du Plessis maintained the CSK "run-chase template" of attacking in the back 10 by preserving wickets to perfection.
The addition of Piyush Chawla, a very successful IPL bowler, is also a big plus. However it needs to be seen how Deepak Chahar is shaping up after sustaining a niggle in the final over of the MI innings. In case, Chahar can't make it, they have ready replacement in Shardul Thakur.
CSK players react after the wicket of Mumbai Indians player Quinton de Kock during the first cricket match of IPL 2020, at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Photo: PTI
Rajasthan Royals team news
The responsibility of keeping Royals alive for the Play-offs would be on its foreign recruits since Indian players in the set up do not inspire much confidence.
Jofra Archer's presence will be important along with seasoned T20 stars like South African batsman David Miller and Australian pacer Andrew Tye.
The Royals' main problem lies in their Indian core, which hasn't exactly been consistent. The likes of Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Jaydev Unadkat and Varun Aaron have failed tolive up to the expectations over the years.
Rajasthan Royals. Photo: PTI
Ben Stokes availablity
And the three-time winners would definitely start as favourites against Royals, who would be missing its premier all-rounder Ben Stokes for unspecified duration and opener Jos Buttler for at least opening game due to quarantine rules.
The absence of Stokes would severely impact Royals' campaign at least at the beginning because of the balance it lends to the side.
But his father's terminal illness has kept Stokes out of action for some time now and his absence, certainly in the first half of the league, would disturb the balance of the Royals, perennial underperformers.
Ben Stokes. File Photo: PTI
RR vs CSK preview
A depleted looking Rajasthan Royals will have an onerous task of stopping the mighty Chennai Super Kings in its IPL 2020 opener on a Sharjah belter with no Ben Stokes for the first part.
Add to it Jos Buttler, Royals' impact player at the top-order will be missing the first game as he arrived separately with his family and need to undergo mandatory 36-hour quarantine in Dubai.
Steve Smith available for CSK encounter
However, in the major relief for Rajasthan, captain Steve Smith will be available for RR's first match.
There is a fantastic news, It is obviously great to have your skipper available for the first game, as I have said before we are in really good hands, " said Royals coach Andrew McDonald in a press release.
Last edtion's runner-up, CSK exacted revenge upon defending champions Mumbai Indians, beating them by five wickets in the tournament opener here on Saturday. READ MORE HERE
CSK bowler Imran Tahir and RR batsman Ben Stokes during IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Photo: File PTI