Nitish, Hasaranga set up RR’s six-run victory over CSK

Nitish Rana smashed a blistering 36-ball 81, while leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga starred with a four-wicket haul as Rajasthan Royals opened their account with a hard-fought six-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL here on Sunday.

Promoted to No. 3, left-handed Rana dominated the CSK bowlers, hitting 10 boundaries and 5 sixes en route his scintillating knock but Royals struggled towards the backend to just about manage a par-score of 182/9.

CSK, who had never successfully chased a target over 180 since 2019, faltered again, managing 176/6 in the allotted overs. The chase was built around skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 63, but it wasn’t enough as CSK succumbed to their second consecutive loss.

The legend of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last over finishes in IPL is fast becoming a story of yesterday as he failed to muscle Maheesh Theekshana and Sandeep Sharma.

Sharma was tasked with the final over and he struck the crucial blow by removing Dhoni, with Shimron Hetmyer taking a stunning catch, to eventually defend 20 runs.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals: 182/9 (Rana 81, Parag 37; Noor 2/28, Pathirana 2/28, Khaleel 2/38); Chennai Super Kings: 176/6 (Gaikwad 63, Jadeja 32*; Hasaranga 4/35).