 The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, will take on former champions, Rajasthan Royals, in the return meeting in fifth season of the Indian Premier League. The two sides are separated by one point, and both are in the hunt for the playoffs.
Rajasthan Royals have equal wins and losses from the dozen matches they have played
so far. Currently in fourth place, the team has done well to recover and register
two wins in a row. Their win over Pune Warriors on Tuesday was an emphatic one,
given that they chased a modest target of 126 with nearly four overs to spare.
Click for Live Score Card of Jaipur Rajasthan Royals Vs Chennai Super Kings
Shane Watson powered his way to an unbeaten 90 off 51 balls that included ten
fours and four sixes. Royals will be pleased with the sort of impact he has
had given that Watson had been the mainstay of Royals' fortunes in the previous
seasons. Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Dravid suffered a second consecutive
failure with the bat but will still be the key men early on in the innings. Shaun Tait picked up three wickets with the ball and his pace may unsettle the Chennai batsmen.
Chennai Super Kings have 11 points from 12 matches, and they have been the side
involved in three last-ball finishes this season. They were on the wrong end though
of a tight finish, against Mumbai Indians, as they lost a match that seemed they
had pocketed.
With 14 to defend off the final three balls, Ben Hilfenhaus was taken apart
and, as coach Stephen Fleming said, the dressing room atmosphere has been pretty
flat since. While Dwyane Bravo, Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay scored
freely with the bat, it remains to be seen how well the team lifts itself from
the demoralizing loss.
The match will be played in Jaipur starting at 8.00pm. In their earlier meeting,
Chennai sneaked home against Rajasthan off the final ball of the innings.
|
