Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to bat first against Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings in match 61 of the IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have changed their playing XI for the clash. CSK replaced Mitchell Santner with Maheesh Theekshana by substituting Rovman Powell, while Rajasthan Royals brought Dhruv Jurel.
Key Details from Match NO. 61 in IPL 2024
Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are locking horns for the first time in the ongoing IPL 2024. CSK and RR are reaching off losses after losing to Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, respectively. CSK have had an average season with six wins and as many losses in their 12 matches. Despite defeat against Gujrat Titans in their last game, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led stayed in the top four on the points table. However, the defending champs are on a thin line regarding playoff qualification, as a loss might interfere with their progress to the knockout phase.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals is having a fantastic season under Sanju Samson’s captaincy. Rajasthan Royals are currently in second place with eight wins and three losses. Their two consecutive losses against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals stopped them from being the first team to confirm a playoff berth. A win against CSK would help them officially qualify for the playoffs.
The match witnessed Chennai Super Kings restricting Rajasthan Royals to 141 runs. Despite a high-spirited finish from Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, most of the RR top order struggled against the grasp pitch at the Chepauk stadium. CSK’s Tushar Deshpande even had a chance for a hat-trick, showcasing the fierce competition on the field. The match also witnessed some surprising moments, including a dropped catch of Riyan Parag on 34, adding to the tension and excitement of the game.
CSK’s run chase was led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra, who showed an explosive start, putting RR bowlers under pressure. The outcome of this match was important for both teams, with CSK drawing closer to securing a playoff spot after a hard-fought victory over an in-form RR by five wickets. The game highlighted both teams’ competitive spirit and determination as they battled for a decent place in the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Playing XI for Rajasthan Royals
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (WK/C), Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.
CSK XI players
Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana.
Pitch and conditions
Historically, Chepauk has been interchangeable with slow, spin-friendly pitches, making batting quite a challenging effort. Bowlers who are experienced at variations along with the spinners are expected to enjoy favorable conditions on this surface. Throughout IPL history, only four times has a total of over 210 runs been performed at Chepauk, underscoring the problem in scoring freely on this pitch.
Concluding with The IPL 2024 Match No. 61 witnessed a thrilling match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, where both teams showcased their excellent skills. CSK appeared victorious, showcasing their dominance and stability against tough opposition. RR’s performance stayed fierce, assuring the match remained challenged until the last ball was bowled. Rajasthan Royals remained at No. 2, yet to sit with Kolkata Knight Riders, who qualified yesterday. Whereas CSK jumped to NO 3 on the IPL 2024 Points Table.
Author: Tania Mukherjee
Tania Mukherjee is an author. Immersing herself in the world of Entertainment and expressing her thoughts along with her feelings through the power of the written word. With a deep passion for writing, she finds solace and fulfillment in conveying her ideas to others.