RR vs CSK HIGHLIGHTS, IPL 2020: Samson-Smith Blistering Knocks Help Royals Secure 16-run Win

RR vs CSK, IPL 2020: First-ever winners of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajasthan Royals, kick-off their new campaign against two-time World champion MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Sharjah cricket stadium. Flamboyant Steve Smith's Rajasthan Royals are raring to go big this year but it won't be easy as they face record 8-time finalists Chennai, the heavyweights. The onus is on Smith to ensure everything goes right for RR, who are missing the services of star players Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes.

Background

RR vs CSK HIGHLIGHTS: MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings Win Toss, Opt To Bowl First At Sharjah Cricket Stadium. All captains winning the toss have bowled first so far in IPL 2020. DEW is a big factor! The fourth match of IPL 2020 will be played between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in Sharjah cricket stadium from 07:30 pm today in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

 

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have won their first match and will try to continue the campaign of victory when they face Rajasthan Royals today. On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals will aim to start the season with a win against one of the best teams in the history of IPL.

 

Star batsman Jos Buttler will not be available for Rajasthan Royals in this match, as he is in Quarantine with his family. At the same time, all-rounder Ben Stokes is also in New Zealand and he too will not be a part of this match.

Despite this, Rajasthan have great players like Steve Smith, David Miller, Jofra Archer, Robin Uthappa and Tom Curran. At the same time, there are many match-winning players in the Chennai team that won the first match of the season for their franchise.

IPL 2020 RR vs CSK: Weather Report- How will the weather at Sharjah cricket stadium for Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings match

The weather will be perfectly clear in this match played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. However, like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the players here will also have to face severe heat. Also, dew will have an important role and the team that wins the toss can likely decide to bowl first.

RR vs CSK Match prediction-

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings have a better chance to win today's match.

Predictable playing XI of Chennai Super Kings-

Chennai Super Kings- Shane Watson, Murali Vijay, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Karran, Lungi Nagidi, Deepak Chahar and Piyush Chawla.

Predictable playing XI of Rajasthan Royals-

Rajasthan Royals - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, David Miller, Ryan Parag, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat and Akash Singh.

23:26 PM (IST)  •  22 Sep 2020

CSK need a four of every ball now!!!!Jofra Archer who made the BIG difference with his fiery cameo for RR in the first innings, has been handed the ball to bowl the 19th over! He starts well but gets smacked for a six by Plessis in the 4th ball of the over. Archer takes his revenge by bowling a quick bouncer to get the set-batsman du Plessis out after a well-made 72 off 37 balls. At the end of 19 overs (10 runs and one wicket from it) CSK were 180/6

The FINAL OVER was Tom Curran who just had to ensure that he don't bowl extras! Mahendra Singh Dhoni managed to hit the first six of his innings and in the tournament in the third ball of the over...and it was not over of THALA as the next ball was too sent sailing out of the stadium for a SIX!!! The second-last ball was too timed sweetly by Mahi as he completed his hat-trick of sixes to bring 200-up for CSK in the chase.

IPL 2020, RR vs CSK LIVE Score: 2nd Innings, Chennai Super Kings - 200/6 after 20 overs.

MATCH RESULT- RR beat CSK by 16 runs!

23:15 PM (IST)  •  22 Sep 2020

Just four overs remaining in the game and the run-rate is over 19! Plessis banks on a slower one from Unadkat and hits a six...Dhoni-Plessis manage singles in the next two balls but Plessis HITS BACK-TO-BACK Sixes to end the over in a grand fashion and bring up his FIFTY too!!! TOO LATE BUT IT IS NOW? At the end of 17 overs (21 runs and no wicket from it) CSK were 159/5

The required run rate per over is over 20 and Plessis takes on the challenge by punching Curran for a BIG straight SIX off the second ball of the over. Tom Curran makes a comeback by bowling a great yorker. Next ball Plessis takes a single to give the strike to Dhoni who returns the favour by taking a single too! Just one run from the last ball as well to end the over. ..10 runs from it.

IPL 2020, RR vs CSK LIVE Score: 2nd Innings, Chennai Super Kings - 169/5 after 18 overs and need 48 runs in 12 balls to win

23:05 PM (IST)  •  22 Sep 2020

Dhoni takes a single off the first ball and gives the strike to Plessis, who smashes a six off Tewatia over long-on but the veteran is still struggling to time the ball well. Plessis manages to hit another six in the second-last ball of the 15th over and the last ball he only gets a single to keep the strike with him for the next over. At the end of 15 overs (16 runs and no wicket from it) CSK were 131/5

Archer bowls the 16th over with run-rate required over 17! Plessis hits him for a four off his second ball. Just 7 runs from this over and the required run-rate is over 19 now!

IPL 2020, RR vs CSK LIVE Score: 2nd Innings, Chennai Super Kings - 138/5 after 16 overs and need 79 runs in 24 balls to win

22:54 PM (IST)  •  22 Sep 2020

Almost 15 runs are needed every over for CSK to win and Mahi is yet to come out to bat! Unadkat bowls the 13th over and just 4 runs off his first 4 balls..a bit surprising as the required run rate is much high!! The remaining two balls also fetches one run each. Time for a strategic time-out! At the end of 13 overs (7 runs and no wicket from it) CSK were 108/4

OH GOD! What's on CSK's mind? They now need almost three runs per ball but it seems like they have decided to play risk-free..waiting for RR bowlers to bowl some loose deliveries! Archer takes Plessis catch in the over but off a no-ball by Curran. The next ball (13.4) Samson takes a stunning one-handed catch to send Jadhav back for 22 and bring in Thala Dhoni. He takes single off the last ball to remain on strike.

IPL 2020, RR vs CSK LIVE Score: 2nd Innings, Chennai Super Kings - 115/5 after 14 overs and need 102 runs in 36 balls to win

22:40 PM (IST)  •  22 Sep 2020

Tewatia misses on getting a hat-trick! Meanwhile, veteran Du Plessis is looking VERY CALM and has not so far played even a single loose shot in anger! He knows his role for sure and will aim to remain till the last over. At the end of 11 overs (4 runs and no wicket from it) CSK were 86/4

Shreyas Gopal smacked brutally for back-to-back boundaries!!! THREE BALLS AND THREE FOURS in a row! After those lofty shots he and Plessis takes singles to end the over. 100 comes up for Chennai! IPL 2020, RR vs CSK LIVE Score: 2nd Innings, Chennai Super Kings - 101/4 after 12 overs and need 115 runs in 47 balls to win