IPL 2020, RR vs CSK: Samson, Smith Belligerent Half Tons Power Rajasthan Royals To 16-Run Win Over Chennai Super Kings

Rajasthan Royals win over Chennai Super Kings came at the back of scintillating batting performances by their skipper Steve Smith and wicket keeper batsman Sanju Samson who scored whirlwind half tons.Spinner Rahul Tewatia led the efforts for Rajasthan Royals with the ball picking up 3 wickets

Sajnu Samson and Steve Smith (Image: IPL Twitter Handle)

Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 16 runs to get their campaign in the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League off to a winning start at Sharjah on Tuesday (Sept 22). 'Royals' win came at the back of scintillating batting performances by their skipper Steve Smith and wicket keeper batsman Sanju Samson and a fine bowling spell by spinner Rahul Tewatia. Put into bat first, Rajasthan Royals put up a mammoth 216 run total as Sanju Samson and Steve Smith went on an absolute rampage hitting the CSK bowlers for some gigantic sixes. Samson notched up a whirlwind 74 runs of just 32 deliveries by hitting 9 sixes and a lone boundary. Meanwhile Smith was second to none as he scored at a rapid pace too scoring 69 off 47 balls. There was a middle order collapse for the Rajasthan Royals but tail ender Jofra Archer provided the innings with a late flourish as he smashed 4 sixes and scored 30 runs off CSK seamer Lungi Ngidi's over to power the Royals to a massive 216-run total. CSK bowlers had an forgettable outing as most of them were smashed to all corners of the ground at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Spinner Piyush Chawla suffered the most of the brutal assault as he went for 55 runs in his four overs. Chasing a daunting 217 run target, CSK got off to a decent start with openers Shane Watson and Murali Vijay providing them with a 56-run opening stand. After spinner Rahul Tewatia dismissed opener Watson and Shreyas Gopal sent Murali Vijay back to the pavilion, Sam Curran  produced a fiery 17-run cameo off just six deliveries but did not last long enough at the crease as he fell to Tewatia. Tewatia struck another blow when he had debutant Ruturaj Gaikwad out for a duck. Faf Du Plessis held the forte at one end and kept ticking the scoreboard with ones and toos. Post Kedhar Jadhav's departure Du Plessis changes gears and started striking sixes and fours with effortless ease. MS Dhoni who came into bat at No. 7 also produced a quick-fire 29 off just 17 balls, including 3 massive sixes of Tom Curran in the last over but it was too late by then and RR clinched a 16-run win.