New Zealand batter Kane Williamson lauded Nitish Rana’s batting in the Sunday’s match against Chennai Super Kings, calling it a knock of the highest standard. The former Kiwi skipper also praised the fielding of Rajasthan Royals, saying that it was big factor in the Royals’ 6-run win over the 5-time champions CSK.
“Nitish is an excellent player of spin, but he got his innings started against the seam, using the pace well. He accessed the areas behind square nicely and perhaps came in at No. 3 due to the left-hand, right-hand combination. It was an incredible knock of the highest standard, and I think that’s key for him moving forward in this tournament,” Williamson said.
“Rajasthan Royals have several other talented batters, but today, Nitish was the match-winner. That said, in a game like this—on a surface where the margins are so fine—I believe Rajasthan Royals’ fielding is what truly got them across the line,” he added.
In the match, Rana’s explosive 81 off 36 balls, laced with 10 fours and five sixes, had set RR on course for a 200-plus total. However, CSK pulled things back in the final overs, with Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, and Khaleel Ahmed taking two wickets each, limiting RR to 182/9.
Later, Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliance derailed Chennai Super Kings’ chase as Rajasthan Royals sealed a six-run win. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad led CSK’s fightback with a 44-ball 63 (7×4, 1×6), but Hasaranga’s (4/35) relentless strikes kept the chase in check, restricting them to 176/6. This is CSK’s second successive defeat.
Ravindra Jadeja (32 not out from 22 balls) and MS Dhoni (16; 11b), who came in at No 7, provided late fireworks, but the target proved beyond reach. Dhoni gave CSK hope with a six and a four in the 19th over, where Tushar Deshpande leaked 19 runs, with Jadeja finishing it off with a six.
However, with 20 needed off the final over, Sandeep Sharma held his nerves to concede just 13 and dismissed Dhoni, courtesy of a stunning catch by Shimron Hetmyer, sealing RR’s win.
(With agency inputs)