Sharjah: Steve Smith-led Rajasthan Royals began their opening encounter of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 with 16-run win over Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (September 22). CSK captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to field.
Sanju Samson and Smith’s 121-run partnership was the spotlight of the match, as the Royals affixed 217-run target filled with many boundaries. The match also had many talking points, with some controversy too in an exciting encounter.
A 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 win in Sharjah gets us off to the perfect start! 💗 #RRvCSK | #HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/PR9JFOW4cs
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 22, 2020
Rajasthan Royals lost early wicket in youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, but Smith and Samson’s partnership moved the Royals to a massive score. Deepak Chahar seized the vital wicket of Samson, who scored 74-runs off 32 deliveries loaded with one four and nine sixes.
After Samson’s dismissal, Smith found it hard to build a partnership, with the likes of David Miller and Robin Uthappa getting out humbly. English pacer Jofra Archer added the finishing touch to Rajasthan’s huge total with a positive display of batting. He smashed 27 runs off eight deliveries with four sixes.
On the other hand, Tom Curran got engaged in an umpiring controversy. Curran was judged out by the umpire, who signaled him caught behind by a Chahar delivery. Curran wanted a review, but his side’s distributed reviews were over. But television replays showed that he shouldn’t have been dismissed, so the umpires called him back as he had not left the field.
Meanwhile, CSK also got off to a decent start with Murali Vijay and Shane Watson scoring 21 and 33 runs respectively. Once again Faf du Plessis showed a good performance, scoring 72 runs off 37 balls. Coming in towards the end, Dhoni tried to don the finisher’s role, but couldn’t prevent defeat due to the big target given by Steve Smith’s side. The former Indian captain scored 29 runs off 17 deliveries. In the bowling department, Sam Curran was the major man for CSK, marking three wickets in four overs.
Meanwhile, Rahul Tewatia was on top form for Royals, grasping three dismissals in his assigned overs. In their next match, CSK will face Delhi Capitals on September 25 and Rajasthan Royals will take on Kings XI Punjab on September 27.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals (216/7)
Sanju Samson (74)
Steve Smith (69)
Sam Curran (3/33)
Chennai Super Kings (200/6)
Faf du Plessis (72)
Shane Watson (33)
Rahul Tewatia (3/37) by 16 runs.
