The high-profile match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) turned out to be an absolute thriller where the Royals managed to register an eye-catching 3-run victory at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.
Put in to bat, the Royals scored 175 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 20 overs. Jos Buttler was the top scorer for the team, contributing 52 runs off 36 balls, followed by Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 38 runs off 26 balls. Among the Chennai Super Kings bowlers, Akash Singh and Tushar Deshpande took 2 wickets each.
Chasing a target of 176 runs, the Super Kings reached 172 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Devon Conway was the top scorer for the team, scoring 50 runs off 38 balls, followed by MS Dhoni, who scored 32 runs off 17 balls. Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal took 2 wickets each for Rajasthan Royals.
Notably, the contest went down to the wire, where CSK needed 21 to win in the final over. Sanju Samson gave the responsibility to Sandeep Sharma, who ended up conceding two sixes and as many wides to trim down the equation to the 5 required off the last ball.
With Dhoni on strike and having already scored 31, it appeared the CSK skipper would take the team over the finish line. However, Sandeep showed nerves of steel as he delivered an inch-perfect yorker, giving only a single and helping RR win the contest by 3 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Sandeep S👌🏾
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) April 12, 2023
MS Dhoni 🫡🫡🫡
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 12, 2023
Welll ! Take a bow Sandeep Sharma, with chepauk screaming, Dhoni hitting, Jadeja beaming !
This was not easy ! #IPL23 #TATAIPL2023 #CSKvsRR
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) April 12, 2023
The hero of Rajasthan Royals – Sandeep Sharma.
He held his nervousness against Dhoni in Chepauk on the 20th over. pic.twitter.com/mzrh87wXVx
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 12, 2023
Vintage @msdhoni show at the end but full credit to @sandeep25a on a brilliant last delivery!! Nicely bowled by the spin trio @ashwinravi99, @yuzi_chahal & Zampa in the middle!! 👏🏾 Yet another terrific game of cricket tonight! ⚡️🤟🏾 #CSKvRR
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) April 12, 2023
What a game! Nail-biters continue in the #TATAIPL🔥
Congratulations @rajasthanroyals, well played @ChennaiIPL 🤝#CSKvRR— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 12, 2023
So Close!! 🥹
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 12, 2023
Shudder to imagine what will happen once MSD’s gives up playing in the IPL!
He’s just warming up. Regardless of the result tonight, he’s looking so ominous #CSKvRR #Dhoni— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 12, 2023
Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by three runs in a last over thriller. #cricket #CSKvsRR #ipl2023 | https://t.co/Bq5uqGVXQs #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/gRuz8WcM9z
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 12, 2023
Teams defeating CSK at Chennai since 2014
Mumbai Indians in 2015
Mumbai Indians in 2019
Mumbai Indians in 2019
Rajasthan Royals in 2023#IPL2023 #CSKvRR— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) April 12, 2023
RR win by just 3 runs off the final ball
Excellent yorker from Sandeep Sharma – nothing getting past that#IPL2023 #RRvsCSK
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) April 12, 2023
CSK took it deep, RR took it Sandeep. #CSKvRR
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) April 12, 2023