Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals IPL, 2024, Full Score Card

FOUR! That's it! Sameer Rizvi finishes off with a boundary! A wide full toss, Sameer Rizvi reaches out to it again and steers it through point for another boundary! Chennai beat Rajasthan by 5 wickets!

FOUR! Scores level now! A half-tracker from Trent Boult, around off, and Sameer Rizvi is very severe on it. He reaches out and drills it through covers for a boundary.

Too short and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad leaves it alone. Just 5 needed now!

Fuller one, just outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to push it but misses.

SIX! Right out of the screws! Shorter and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad swivels and pulls it all the way over deep square leg for a maximum!

Slower one, outside off, Sameer Rizvi steers it to deep backward point for one.

Oh! Length and outside off, it shapes in a touch, Sameer Rizvi looks to guide it but gets beaten.

Fuller one, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad eases it to mid on for one.

Length, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes it to covers for one more. Just 12 needed now!

Short and on off, Sameer Rizvi pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Whipped to the cow-corner boundary! A low full toss, Sameer Rizvi hangs back and whips it through cow corner for a boundary. The fielder makes a good attempt to stop it but misses.

Slower one, shorter in length, Sameer Rizvi looks to play an upper cut but misses.

Length and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it to mid on for one more.

Off pace on a length and on middle and leg, Sameer Rizvi tucks it to mid on and gets off the mark.

Lands it just outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad defends it to the cover region. 21 needed off 24 now!

Strategic break! A big moment in the game but despite the departure of Ravindra Jadeja, it is still Chennai's game to lose. Moreover, they have the calm head of Ruturaj Gaikwad out in the middle who should get the job done for them. Rajasthan are hanging in there and need a couple of quick wickets to put the pressure back on Chennai. Chennai bring in Sameer Rizvi as their Impact Player, replacing Daryl Mitchell. Rizvi walks in at number 7.

OUT! Ravindra Jadeja obstructs the field here! Back of a length, outside off, Ravindra Jadeja opens the bat face and guides it to deep third for a single. He goes for a second, but he is sent back by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Sanju Samson attempts a direct hit at the bowler's but it hits Ravindra Jadeja's left elbow. The umpire sends it upstairs. The replay shows that Ravindra Jadeja had changed his direction after seeing the ball and the Big Screen shows OUT!

Now then, what happened there? Sanju Samson collected the throw at the batting end and had a shy at the bowling end, which hit the back of Ravindra Jadeja, who was scampering to make his ground. Jadeja is aware of where the ball is, and the replays indicate that he has deliberately changed the path to get in the ball's way. And yes, OUT flashes on the big screen.

Good length and on middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad tips it to mid on and scampers across to the other end.

Two! Off-pace and shorter in length, Ruturaj Gaikwad plays a ramp shot over the keeper's head for a brace.

Short and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it to the fielder at mid on. Dot.

Oh! Length in the channel and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja punches it to short covers and rushes for a quick single. The fielder attempts a direct hit but misses. A direct hit and Ruturaj Gaikwad was a goner.

NEARLY! Jos Buttler almost pulled it off! Chahal tosses it up nicely, full and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja advances down the track and looks to clear long on. Gets more height than distance as it goes towards long on. Jos Buttler stationed on the fence takes the catch and soon realises that his momentum is taking him over the fence. He releases the ball before he goes over the boundary cushions and saves five runs for his team.

Offers flight and dangles the carrot does Chahal, full and turning in, on middle, Ravindra Jadeja gets a good stride in and blocks it out on the leg side.

At 87.5 kph, full and drifting in, on off, Ravindra Jadeja stays rooted in his crease and pushes it to cover.

Slower through the air and fuller as well, on off, Ravindra Jadeja gets on the front foot and whips it to the left of long on for a couple of runs.

Floats it up, full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his feet and works it to point for one.

FOUR! Too short, too wide and Gaikwad pounces all over it! Bowls it outside off, short and wide, Ruturaj Gaikwad rocks on the back foot and cuts it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

WIDE! This is down leg, on a nagging length, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes for the flick but misses.

Ravindra Jadeja walks next to the crease.

OUT! TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin wins the battle against Dube! Invites Dube to go down town but cleverly pulls the length back and bowls it slower and around off, Shivam Dube gets on the front foot and he is made to reach out in front to clear the straight fence. Skies it off the bottom half of the bat towards long on where Riyan Parag takes a safe catch. Dube falls but he has done what was asked of him.

Gives the ball air and bowls it full, on the pads, Shivam Dube is beaten in the flight and gets pinged low on the front pad.

Keeps it short and on off, Shivam Dube punches it off the back foot to cover.

FOUR! Nicely done! Ashwin serves it slower through the air but the length is a bit too short and offers width as well, Shivam Dube waits on the back foot and cuts it late to get it past backward point for four more runs.

WIDE! Strays down leg, on a fuller length, Shivam Dube lets it go for a wide.

FOUR! Creamed away! Flatter and shorter, outside off, Shivam Dube reaches out and slaps it aerailly to the left of the diving Nandre Burger at cover for a boundary. Pressure on Ashwin. Have the floodgates opened?

SIX! BOOM! Shivam Dube has had enough of knocking it around! Ashwin serves it right in the slot, on off, Shivam Dube needs no second invitation and springs on the front foot to tonk it way over long on for a biggie. A boundary after 39 balls for Chennai.

Yes, he can. This is full and on the pads, Shivam Dube flicks it behind square on the leg side for a run. 5 runs off it and just 8 runs have come off the last two overs.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his feet and clips it through mid-wicket for a single. Can Chahal close out the over well?

Pushes it through, short and near the tramline on off, Shivam Dube goes for the cut but bottom edges it towards short fine leg for a run.

On a nagging length, over middle, Shivam Dube nudges it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad skips down the track and works it square to deep point for one.

Bowls it on the off-stump line, full in length, Shivam Dube presses forward and eases it to long on for a single.

Delivers it on a fullish length, on middle, Shivam Dube drives it straight down to long on for a single to open his account. Superb over by Burger, a wicket and just 3 runs off it.

Shivam Dube is in at 5.

OUT! TAKEN! The change of bowling has worked for Rajasthan. Moeen Ali could never really get going. Bowls it outside off, full in length, Moeen Ali's eyes light up as he looks to pounce on the width. However, he does not commit himself into the shot and carves it off the outer half of the bat to deep point where Avesh Khan takes it near his chest.

This is on a back of a length, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad drags the pull to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Tucks the batter up for room, on a hard length, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on his toes and can only play it back to the bowler.

Honing in at the stumps, at 141.3 kph, on a good length, Ruturaj Gaikwad hurriedly tucks it to mid-wicket.

Starts from over the wicket and lands it on a hard length, on off, Moeen Ali punches it to deep point for a single.

Short and around off, Moeen Ali knocks it off the back foot to wide long off for another run. Chennai get 7 runs off Chahal's over without taking any risks.

Flatter and shorter, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on the back foot and turns this to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Loops it up nicely and tempts the batter for a big shot, full and outside off, Moeen Ali reaches out and drives it along the ground to deep cover for a single.

Too straight, short and turning into the pads, Moeen Ali works it to the right of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Turning away from the batter, on a nagging length, Ruturaj Gaikwad steps out a bit early and checks his shot as he tucks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Bowls it short and flat, on off, Moeen Ali goes on the back foot and punches it with a straight bat to long on for a single.

Tosses it around off. Gaikwad advances and creams the drive, straight to extra cover.

Flatter on the middle and leg. Moeen Ali nudges it through square leg for a single.

Arm ball, on middle and leg. Moeen Ali turns into the leg side.

Carrom ball, around off. Gaikwad guides it to short third.

Full on off. Moeen Ali pushes it to long-off for one.

Tossed up on off. Moeen Ali prods forward and defends it forward.

Short of a length, on middle. Moeen Ali swivels and pulls it with control through backward square leg.

Back of a length, on off. Gaikwad knocks this to sweeper cover for a single.

Hard-length, outside off. Gaikwad punches this into covers.

Back of a length, on leg peg. Moeen Ali tucks it through backward square leg.

WIDE! Bangs it short, around off. This goes over the batter and is signaled as a wide. Moeen Ali sways out of the line and lets it go.

Back of a length, around off. Gaikwad steers it to deep third for a single.

On a length, outside off. Gaikwad cuts it to deep backward point for a couple.

Avesh Khan comes on to bowl now.

Fuller and quicker, around off. Moeen Ali prods forward and blocks.

Moeen Ali is the new man in.

OUT! LBW! TRAPPED IN FRONT! A huge shout and up goes the finger! Leg break, on a fullish length, on middle. Mitchell plays across the line and is pinned in front. The umpire had no hesitation. Mitchell has a word with Gaikwad and takes the review. The Ball Tracking shows Three Reds and Mitchell is a goner. Chennai are two down!

Googly, on the leg. Gaikwad nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Flatter leg break, on off. Gaikwad guides it to backward point.

Leg break, attacking the stumps. Gaikwad pushes it into covers.

Tossed up on middle. Gaikwad defends from the crease.

Strategic break! Chennai are going along nicely in their pursuit of 142 runs. Rachin Ravindra took the initiative and Daryl Mitchell has taken over since his departure while Ruturaj Gaikwad is happy to knock it around. With only 76 runs to get from the remaining 13 overs, Chennai will have one eye on NRR and might even look to finish the game quickly. As for Rajasthan, they have not been able to build on that breakthrough provided by Ravichandran Ashwin. The Chennai batters have put them under pressure through their intent and Rajasthan need a couple of quick wickets to get back into the contest. Yuzvendra Chahal will bowl after the break.

Pitched full, on off. Gaikwad strokes it to deep cover for one.

Pitched full, on off. Mitchell looks to hack it hard but toe-ends it toward long-on for one.

Back of a length, outside off. Gaikwad cuts it to sweeper cover for one.

SIX! SMASHED! Short and angling into the batter. Gaikwad picks the length and pulls it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. Sails all the way into the crowd!

Back of a length, around off. Gaikwad punches it to backward point for none.

Short of a length, angling in. Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Rajasthan's Impact Player, Nandre Burger has been handed the ball now.

Full on the middle and leg. Mitchell nudges it through mid-wicket and settles for a single. Chennai have raced to 56 in the powerplay.

FOUR MORE! Mitchell is on fire! Pitched full and down the leg. Mitchell gets across and sweeps it to fine leg for a boundary.

Quicker and flatter on the middle and leg. Mitchell turns into the on-side.

Slower through the air, on off. Gaikwad drops it toward point for a single.

Full on off. Mitchell prods and eases it to long-on for one.

FOUR! Mitchell is turning it up! Tosses it full, around off. Mitchell sits down and sweeps it uppishly toward long-leg for four runs.

Does not offer any pace and serves it at the stumps, on a good length, Daryl Mitchell shapes up to go back over the bowler's head. The ball comes off the toe-end of the bat and it rolls in front of the keeper. Quick single taken.

WIDE! Digs it in short but the line is down leg, Daryl Mitchell gets inside the line but misses out on the pull shot. Wide given.

FOUR! Not where he intended but Daryl Mitchell gets rewarded for the intent. Slower and fuller, on middle, Daryl Mitchell walks across his stumps to access the leg side. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and the fielder at deep square leg does not seem to pick it and that is four more runs for Chennai and Mitchell.

At 124 kph, over middle, on a good length, Daryl Mitchell checks his shot and plays it with a straight bat back to Sandeep.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Sandeep Sharma gets the radar wrong as he slips it on the pads, on a length, Daryl Mitchell tickles it fine off his pads and picks up a boundary towards the fine leg fence.

Serves it on a back of a length, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad dabs it wide of point and gets to the other end.

Attacks the stumps, on a good length, Ruturaj Gaikwad covers the line of the ball and plays it back to the bowler.

Tosses it up and bowls it around the pads, Ruturaj Gaikwad works it with the turn to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single. End of a wicket-taking over for Ashwin.

Drops it short and gets a bit of turn, on off, Daryl Mitchell taps it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Daryl Mitchell walks in at 3.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The ploy to bring Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack has worked for Rajasthan! Angles it into the left-hander and attacks the stumps, Rachin Ravindra goes deep in his crease and looks to hoist it across the line. Gets a hint of away turn there does Ashwin. Rachin gets a top edge that goes straight up and only as far as the stumps at the bowling end. Ashwin settles under it and does the rest.

Quicker and fuller but on the pads, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on the front foot and tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region for one.

Coming in with the angle, short and around the pads, Rachin Ravindra eases it to wide long on for one more run.

Starts on a nagging length from around the wicket, over middle, Rachin Ravindra goes on the back foot and swats it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Lands it around the off-stump line, on a short of a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad dabs it with an open bat face but picks out the man at backward point. Boult could not quite follow up his opening over. 12 runs off it.

Time for some spin. Ravichandran Ashwin comes on now.

WIDE! Comes from around the wicket and strays at the hips, on a back of a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad misses the tickle. Wide given.

This is on a back of a length, on middle, Rachin Ravindra punches it with a straight bat to long on and rotates the strike.

SIX! Intelligent batting! Digs it in short, over off, Rachin Ravindra anticipates early and arches back. Ramps it over short third and gets the distance.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight, full and on the pads, Rachin Ravindra springs on the front foot and whips it to the right of deep square leg for a boundary.

Delivers it on a  back of a length, over middle, Rachin Ravindra pulls well but it goes straight to mid-wicket.

On a shortish length, over middle, Rachin Ravindra tries to go big on the leg side but the ball sails over his head.

Bye! Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a length, around leg, Rachin Ravindra skips down the track and misses as he swings across the line. Jos Buttler fails to read the bounce and concedes a bye as the batters scamper across.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was gone for all money had the throw hit! Full and wide on off, Rachin Ravindra creams the drive towards cover where Jos Buttler fumbles but the ball does not roll too far behind him. The batters think about crossing over but Gaikwad gets sent back. Buttler recovers quickly and has a shy at the bowling end but misses.

Keeps it full and on off, Rachin Ravindra presses forward and drives it to the right of mid off for a couple of runs.

SIX! Lovely pick-up shot! Delivers it full and sliding on, middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra picks up the length early and lifts his back leg to lift it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Straying on the pads, on a back of a length, Rachin Ravindra flicks it over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Pitches it up in search of swing, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his feet and eases it down to long on for a single.

Sandeep Sharma will share the attack.

Delivers it on a good length, a hint of away shape, on off, Rachin Ravindra gets on top of the bounce and punches it in front of square on the off side. Shubham Dubey runs around from deep point and fumbles a bit but that doest not cost Rajasthan anything. Two was always on.

At 131.6 kph, on a length, around off, Rachin Ravindra skips down the track and shapes up to go over mid on but misses. The two Kiwis exchange smiles.

Fuller in length, on off and middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets a good stride in and pushes it in front of cover. Opens his account with a single.

Quick single taken and Chennai are underway! Serves it on a good length, much straighter, on middle, Rachin Ravindra plays it with a straight bat to mid on and calls Ruturaj Gaikwad through for a quick single.

Gets away with it does Boult! Width on offer, short and swinging away, Rachin Ravindra reaches out and pats it without much timing to cover.

Starts off on a hard length, shaping away, on off, Rachin Ravindra stands tall and punches it crisply on the bounce to backward point.

Tushar Deshpande closes it out well! Length delivery, outside off, Riyan Parag sets himself deep in his crease and hacks across the line. Mistimes it in the vacant mid-wicket region. Tushar Deshpande gives it a chase and keeps the batters down to just one. 10 runs off the final over and Rajasthan end up with 141 on the board!

SIX! Invaluable for Rajasthan! Tushar goes into the wicket and serves it around off, Riyan Parag stands tall and gets on top of the bounce to slap it over wide long off for a maximum.

Keeps it full and straight, on off and middle, Riyan Parag goes deep in his crease and tonks it back over the bowler's head for a couple of runs as the long off fielder mops it up.

Slower and shorter, on off, Ravichandran Ashwin carves it off the outer half of the bat to deep backward point for one.

Ravichandran Ashwin walks out to face the hattrick delivery from Tushar Deshpande.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Tushar Deshpande! Golden duck for Shubham Dubey. Stays around the wicket and takes pace off. Bangs it into the deck, over off, Shubham Dubey shapes up to get this one over point with an angled bat. Gets undone by the lack of pace and keeps his bat hanging. The ball lobs tamely towards backward point where Shivam Dube does the rest. Rajasthan are now struggling to get to even 140. Hat-trick ball coming up.

Shubham Dubey walks out next to bat.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Tushar Deshpande starts the final over in the best possible fashion! Steams in from around the wicket and goes full, angling away, outside off, Dhruv Jurel goes deep in his crease and shapes up go straight down the ground. Slices it off the toe-end of the bat. It goes high in the air towards cover where Shardul Thakur settles under the skier and takes the catch.

Yes, he can. Just 7 runs off the penultimate over. Back of a length, on off, Dhruv Jurel stands tall and pulls it down to long on for one more run.

Full and at pace, on off, Riyan Parag drags it towards wide long. Sameer Rizvi slides to his right near the fence and does well to keep it down to just a single. Only 6 runs off the over so far. Can Thakur finish it well?

Does not offer much pace, short and on off, Dhruv Jurel cuts it to deep point for a single.

Low full toss, around off, Riyan Parag swats it to deep backward square leg for a single.

DROPPED! Sameer Rizvi did all the hard work but put it down! Takes pace off and digs it in short, on off, Riyan Parag hops back and goes for the pull. He does not get the timing right and skies it high in the air towards long on. Sameer Rizvi runs in off the fence and does get there but the ball brushes his fingertips and goes down. Two runs taken.

Hurls it at 118.5 kph, on a length, outside off, Dhruv Jurel extends his arms to go up and over covers. Gets an inside edge that rolls down to short fine leg for a single.

Shorter and slower, outside off, Dhruv Jurel reaches out and slaps it to deep point for a run. A productive over for Rajasthan, 11 runs off it.

Leg bye! Drags his length back and delivers it near the tramline on off from around the wicket, Riyan Parag shuffles across to the off side for the scoop. The ball rolls off his thigh pad on the off side for a leg bye.

Angling across the right-hander, on a yorker length, outside off, Dhruv Jurel digs it out to deep cover for a run.

SIX! SHOT! That has gone many a mile! Tushar Deshpande misses his mark and serves it a waist-high full toss, outside off, Dhruv Jurel frees his arms and drags the hit towards deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

A near-perfect yorker, outside off, Riyan Parag swipes it off the toe-end of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one.

Starts from around the wicket and hurls it on a fullish length, on off, Dhruv Jurel knocks it along the ground to long on for a single.

Simarjeet Singh finishes well! Digs it in short, on off, Riyan Parag gets on his toes to slap it up and over backward point. Gets beaten for pace there and Parag fails to connect. Simarjeet ends with figures of 4-0-26-3.

WIDE! Way too short by Simarjeet Singh, over middle, the ball sails over the batter's head for a wide.

Back of a length, on off, Riyan Parag stands tall and swings to pull it away but the ball zips under the bat.

Another off-pace delivery, fuller in length, on off and middle, Riyan Parag goes for a heave across the line. Gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

FOUR! Just wide! Valiant effort in the deep by Ravindra Jadeja. Pace off and into the wicket, on off, Riyan Parag nails the pull but hits it flat towards deep mid-wicket. Jadeja sprints across to his right and dives full-length to his right but the ball evades him for a boundary.

Takes pace off and bowls it on a length, on off, Dhruv Jurel presses forward and pushes it to deep cover for one.

FOUR! Rare loose delivery by Simarjeet Singh and he gets punished. On a fullish length, at the toes, Dhruv Jurel flicks it away behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! In the corridor off, on a good length, Riyan Parag has a wild swipe across the line. The ball keeps a bit low and sneaks under the bat. Good comeback by Thakur, just a single after conceding a six on the third ball.

Takes pace off slightly, on a good length, on middle, Dhruv Jurel whips it through mid-wicket for one.

Beaten! Bowls a cross-seam delivery, in the channel on off, on a good length, Dhruv Jurel pokes at the delivery. The ball skids off the deck and zips past the bat.

SIX! Picked up beautifully! Too full, on middle and leg, Dhruv Jurel is allowed to get underneath it and flicks it with ease over deep square leg for a maximum. 100 comes up for Rajasthan.

In the air....but safe! Dhruv Jurel gets away with it. Low full toss, on middle, Dhruv Jurel closes the bat face early as he looks to flick it away. Gets a leading edge that evades the back tracking Ruturaj Gaikwad at mid off and drops safely in front of the rushing long on fielder. A couple of runs taken.

Bowls it on a good length, around off, Dhruv Jurel walks across his stumps and plays it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

Back of a length outside off, Dhruv Jurel punches this through point for one.

Short-pitched in middle, Dhruv Jurel ducks down on this one.

Short-pitched in middle, Riyan Parag slaps this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

On a length around off, Dhruv Jurel bumps this over the bowler towards mid off for one.

Strategic break! A timely wicket for Chennai has been provided by Simarjeet Singh who has now taken all 3 wickets. Through disciplined bowling, Chennai have kept a leash on the scoring rate and will look to keep the pressure on in the same fashion. Rajasthan batters just have not been able to find their feet on this tricky surface and it will not be easy for the new batter to get going straight away. The onus will be on Riyan Parag to provide impetus to his side's innings. Dhruv Jurel walks out to bat now.

OUT! Simarjeet Singh IS TOO HOT TO HANDLE FOR RAJASTHAN! Pitched up wide of off, Sanju Samson looks to hit this up and over mid off but ends up miscuing it off the cue end into the safe hands of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad at mid off for his dismissal.

On a length wide outside off, Riyan Parag clears his front leg and swings hard but gets an outside edge towards third man region for one.

WIDE! Bumps Riyan Parag but the ball was way too high. Wided.

Fuller on off, Sanju Samson pushes this through cover and gets a couple on this occasion.

Length dragged back outside off, Sanju Samson moves to his leg and cuts this straight to Simarjeet Singh at backward point for another dot.

Too full and wide of off, Sanju Samson cuts this towards backward point for no run.

Flatter and quicker outside off, Riyan Parag dabs this in front of backward point and takes one.

SIX! Riyan Parag breaks the shackles. Tossed up in middle, Riyan Parag picks it up early and slog sweep this over the ropes towards deep mid-wicket region for a maximum.

Short of a length around leg, Sanju Samson moves to his leg and punches this through mid off for one.

Darts one quicker and flatter outside off, Riyan Parag slashes hard t it and gets beaten again.

Quicker and flatter wide outside off, Riyan Parag looks for the sliced stroke but misses.

Fuller one in middle, Sanju Samson drills this to long on for one.

Fuller outside off, Riyan Parag drives this towards extra-cover and runs one.

Short of a length in middle, Riyan Parag tucks this gently through square leg and comes back for the second.

Floats one on off, Sanju Samson pushes this through cover for one.

Maheesh Theekshana (3-0-23-0) will bowl out now.

Fuller and wide outside off, Sanju Samson lofts this dropping it in front of deep cover for one.

Short of a length on off, Sanju Samson pushes this straight to the fielder for a dot.

Quicker and flatter on the pads, Riyan Parag tucks this towards deep square for a single.

Tossed up on off, Sanju Samson punches this to long off for one.

Fuller on off, Sanju Samson drives this through sweeper cover for a couple.

DROPPED! Tossed up around leg, Riyan Parag reverse sweeps this towards the left of Maheesh Theekshana at deep point but he drops it. The batters run one.

Good length in middle, Riyan Parag flicks this towards that fielder at deep mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length in middle, Sanju Samson looks for the pull but miscues it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Good length on off, Riyan Parag tucks this gently through mid-on for one.

On a length wide of off, Sanju Samson cuts this towards deep third for one.

Touch fuller on the pads, Riyan Parag flicks this firmly towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Good length around off, Riyan Parag tucks this towards the empty pocket through mid-wicket for a couple.

This one keeps a bit low, short and on off, Riyan Parag adjusts well and steers it wide of backward point for a single. Another miserly over by Jadeja. At the halfway mark, Rajasthan are 61/2.

Goes full and straight, on off, played with a straight bat to long off for a single.

Fires it in, short and on middle, Sanju Samson goes on the back foot and hurriedly jams it out down the deck.

Sliding on with the angle, short and on middle and leg, Riyan Parag does not commit himself to the front foot. Gets his bat out in front of the pads and pushes it to the right of cover for a run.

Gets the ball to spin away slightly, on a nagging length, on off, Sanju Samson waits on the back foot and pats it wth a straight bat to long off for one.

At 97.5 kph, full and on off, Riyan Parag knocks it all the ground to long off for a single.

Takes pace off but persists with digging in short, on off, Riyan Parag swivels for the pull but he is through his shot early. Checks his shot and toe-ends the pull to mid-wicket for one.

This is on a shortish length, on off, Riyan Parag hops back and guides it down to backward point.

SIX! Riyan Parag takes on the short ball and it comes off just as he would have liked! Simarjeet bowls a bumper, on off, Riyan Parag takes no half-measures as he drags the pull. Gets it well over mid-wicket and clears the fence for a maximum.

Dishes out a sharp bumper, on off, Riyan Parag drops his wrists and lets the ball go through.

Hurls it on a length, on off, Riyan Parag hangs back and guides it to backward point.

Riyan Parag walks out at 4 for Rajasthan.

OUT! TAKEN! Brilliantly held by Tushar Deshpande! Simarjeet Singh roars in delight and Jos Buttler ends up with the same fate as his opening partner. Buttler too perishes in an attempt to get a move on. Serves it on a length, outside off, Jos Buttler walks across his stumps to scoop it away despite the fine leg in place. The ball is a bit too full to execute the shot and it comes off the lower part of the bat. Fails to get the elevation and it goes towards fine leg where Tushar Deshpande slides to his right and takes a fine catch.

Slower through the air and sliding on the pads, Jos Buttler flicks this full delivery in front of square on the leg side for one. A tidy start by Jadeja, 3 runs off it.

Gives the ball a bit of air, full and at the stumps, Jos Buttler knocks it off the front foot straight to cover.

Pushes it through again, full and around off, Jos Buttler reverse sweeps but it goes straight to backward point.

Almost chopped it back onto the stumps. Fires it in, full and on off, Jos Buttler goes for the reverse sweep but gets an under edge. The ball dribbles and almost deflects back onto the stumps off the back of the bat.

Gets a bit of away turn, full and just outside off, Sanju Samson gets a good stride in and eases it to long off for one.

Starts with a full delivery, at 95.7 kph, on off, Jos Buttler gets on the front foot and dabs it wide of cover for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja is introduced into the attack.

Hurls it on a back of a length, on off, Jos Buttler waits on it and runs it down to deep third with an open bat face for one. Excellent first over from Simarjeet Singh, a wicket and just the 4 runs off it.

Continues to bang it into the deck, on off, Jos Buttler arches back and shapes up to cut it past backward point but picks out Ravindra Jadeja there.

Lands it on a hard length, around off, Sanju Samson gets on top of the bounce and punches it between cover and mid off or a single to get off the mark.

Simarjeet Singh is mixing it up nicely here. Takes pace off but the length is shortish, on off, Sanju Samson hops to ride the bounce and glide it down to deep third but gets beaten on the outside edge.

WIDE! Sharp and quick bumper at the Rajasthan skipper, on off, Sanju Samson sways away and sees the ball go over his head for a wide.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Simarjeet Singh breaks through for Chennai in his first over. Yashasvi Jaiswal perishes in his quest to break free. Hits the deck hard, on off, at 136 kph, Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back in his crease and tries to muscle it away. He is unable to free his arms and the ball hits him high on the bat. It goes straight up but only as far as short mid off. Ruturaj Gaikwad runs around to his left and takes a safe catch.

Sanju Samson walks out at 3 for Rajasthan.

WIDE! Digs it in short but it goes over the batter's head, over middle. MS Dhoni leaps and makes the stop. Wide given.

Starts off on a hard length, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal rides the bounce well and punches it nicely but can't get it past Ravindra Jadeja at backward point.

Time for the first strategic break of the game. Both Rajasthan batters have been watchful to begin with and stretched their arms in the last couple of overs. The bowling from Chennai has been top-notch so far as they have not given a lot of hit-me deliveries to the openers of Rajasthan. A good game of cat and mouse so far.

FOUR! Gets it through this time! Maheesh Theekshana misses his mark as he serves a low full toss, on middle, Jos Buttler gets down on one knee and sweeps it along the ground to the left of the fielder at square leg inside the circle. At the end of the Powerplay, Rajasthan are 42/0.

Well bowled! Sees the batter back away and follows him with a full delivery, Jos Buttler gets tucked up for room and can only dab it on the off side.

Missed out! A juicy low full toss, at the stumps, Jos Buttler fails to make the bowler pay and drives it straight to cover without much timing.

Fires it in on a fullish length, angling across, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal skips down the track to go up and over on the off side. Jaiswal swings too hard and inside edges the full toss towards backward square leg for a single.

Keeps it flat and short, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back and plays it down to mid off.

Drops it short, a hint of away turn, on off, Jos Buttler pushes it to the right of the bowler. Maheesh Theekshana slides across to his right but the ball ends up deflecting off his bat and rolls away, allowing the batters to run one.

Good length on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this towards mid off for no run to end the over.

FOUR! PItched up wide of off this time, Yashasvi Jaiswal leans back a bit and slices this uppishly over cover-point for a boundary.

FOUR! BRUTE! On a length in middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal clears his front leg and muscles this over the bowler on his follow through for a boundary down the ground.

On a length wide of off, Yashasvi Jaiswal slashes hard but gets beaten.

Good length in middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks for the pull but gets it off the inside rolling towards mid-wicket for no run.

Pitched up on off, Jos Buttler walks across and flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Shardul Thakur comes into the attack as the first change.

FOUR! SWIFTLY DONE! Too full and wide at some pace from the spinner, Yashasvi Jaiswal plays this late and opens the bat face just to guide this past the short third fielder to his right for a boundary.

Fuller around the pads, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks this gently towards the gap between wide long on and deep mid-wicket and scampers back for a couple.

Quicker and flatter on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this nicely but finds the fielder at mid off.

SIX! First maximum for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Tossed up closer to the batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal slogs this and times this perfectly to dispatch this over the fence towards deep square leg for a maximum.

Tossed up on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this one bounce over the bowler towards mid off. Jos Buttler was looking for a single which was never on offer. The fielder takes an aim at the non-striking end but misses.

Quicker and fuller on leg, Jos Buttler flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Back of a length in middle, Jos Buttler nudges this towards the right of the fielder at mid-wicket and takes one.

Good length around off, Jos Buttler stretches his arms and punches this towards sweeper cover for a couple.

FOUR! Finally, the first boundary of the game and it has come in the 3rd over. Good length outside off, Jos Buttler pulls this up and over mid-wicket for four.

Hits the hard length on off, Jos Buttler drives this towards extra-cover for no run.

Jos Buttler is getting itchy. Slower one back of a length around off, Jos Buttler swipes at it and misses completely.

Back of a length outside off, Jos Buttler tucks this towards mid-wicket for no run.

Tossed up in middle, Jos Buttler pushes this towards long on for one.

Quicker and flatter just wide of off, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes back and looks to punch this through off but scuffs it and chops this onto his pads deflecting the ball towards cover-point for one.

Floats one in middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to flick this but ends up with an inside edge onto his pads for no run.

Too full around leg, Jos Buttler rolls this through mid on for one.

Fuller one middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal tucks this through mid-wicket for one.

Darts one around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal pushes this towards extra-cover for no run.

It will be spin from the other end in the form of Maheesh Theekshana.

Good length around off, Jos Buttler gets up on his toes and punches this one bounce towards that short cover fielder for a dot.

Jos Buttler gets off the mark. On a length around off, Jos Buttler pushes this through cover for a couple. Rachin Ravindra chases this and keeps it down to two.

Back of a length around off, Jos Buttler gets behind the line of it and jams this back towards the off-side to start his innings.

Mistimed in the open space on leg for one. Good aggression early on by Tushar Deshpande as he bumps Yashasvi Jaiswal around leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal pulls this off the cue end in front of deep square for one.

Back of a length around that off-stump line yet again, Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this firmly towards cover for no run.

Starts off with a nice delivery on top of off. Tushar Deshpande hits the hard length around off, shaping back into the batter. Yashasvi Jaiswal punches this towards the off-side to get a feel of it.

All in readiness for the action to commence in this high-stakes clash. The two umpires shake hands and make their way out to the centre. They are followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad and his troops. It will be the left-hand right-hand combination of Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings for Rajasthan. Tushar Deshpande has the new ball in hand and will kickstart proceedings for Chennai. The countdown is done and dusted. Away we go...

Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Chennai skipper, says that coming into this game, there was no pressure as there won’t be any dew. Adds that the pitch should remain the same for the entire game. Shares that they need to prepare well mentally as a group and they have spoken on the areas to improve on. Informs that Maheesh Theekshana is in for Mitchell Santner. Mentions that they want to follow the process and be in a good headspace. Ends by saying that he hopes that the game turns out to be good for them.

The captain of Rajasthan, Sanju Samson says that they will bat first. Tells that it is a decent wicket to bat on and with this being a day game, there will be no dew. Shares that the preparation has been different. Adds that it took them a couple of days to adapt to the conditions. States that they looked to conserve energy and are aiming to give their all in this game. Feels that they need to stick to what has been working for them and it has been a decent campaign for them so far. Says that contributing with the bat has taken some captaincy pressure off him but feels that results also need to go your way. Informs that Dhruv Jurel comes back into the side.

Impact player subs for Chennai - Ajinkya Rahane, Sameer Rizvi, Prashant Solanki, Ajay Mandal, and Mukesh Choudhary.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana (In for Mitchell Santner).

Impact player subs for Rajasthan - Rovman Powell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Nandre Burger, Tanush Kotian, and Keshav Maharaj.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler (In for Rovman Powell), Sanju Samson (C/WK), Riyan Parag, Shubham Dubey, Dhruv Jurel (In for Donovan Ferreira), Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.

TOSS UPDATE - Rajasthan have won the toss and opted to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Mpumelelo Mbangwa starts by saying that it is very hot here in Chepauk. States that it is a 79-metre hit down the ground, while the dimensions of the square boundaries are 70 and 66 metres. Daren Ganga joins him and says there is not much grass covering and the surface is bare. Feels that due to the hot weather, the pitch is going to dry out. Opines that if there is a little bit of moisture, it will be tacky and a challenge for the team batting first. Shares that the turn on offer this season has been above average. He expects spin to play a part. Informs that the average first-inning score here has been 183, but for day games historically, it has been lower. Tells that Chennai have played twice on this wicket and scored over 200 in both those night games. Mbangwa ends by saying that with this being the first day game at this ground this season, it will be important for teams to assess what will be a good total.

Rajasthan, on the other hand, are coming off two back-to-back losses. They are sitting pretty at number 2 in the table but will want another win and book their place in the knockouts. Facing Delhi in their previous game, Rajasthan gave away 221 runs with Ravichandran Ashwin being the stand-out bowler taking 3 wickets. With the bat, Sanju Samson played a splendid knock of 86 from 46 but departed at the wrong time as the lower order failed to get the job done and were short by 20 runs in the end. Rajasthan have had a brilliant campaign so far and will want to bounce back after losing two games in a row. Let’s see who comes on top in this crucial contest. Toss and team news in a bit. Stay tuned!

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of Match 61 in the Indian T20 League, 2024. Chennai are hosting Rajasthan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The home side, Chennai, have suffered a blip and have won just 2 of their last six matches. In their previous game against Gujarat, their bowlers conceded over 230 runs where Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande bowled tidy spells while the rest of the attack was taken to the cleaners. Chasing the score, Chennai were dented early and lost three wickets in the Powerplay but Daryl Mitchell and Moeen Ali counter-attacked with a 109-run stand. Both batters made cracking fifties but the target was a steep one and Chennai fell short by 35 runs. They are still in the top four and will need to get back into winning ways to progress further. 

...MATCHDAY...

Into the final 10 group matches of the 2024 Indian T20 League we go then and there's still a lot to play for with numerous sides vying for a playoffs berth. In Match 61 of the competition, two teams that look to seal a top four finish go head-to-head at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as Chennai take on Rajasthan in a riveting and highly crucial encounter. Chennai, the reigning champions have a couple of games remaining and winning both games might confirm their spot in the knockout phase but a loss here and they will be holding on for dear life in order to make it through. After a fine start to the campaign, Chennai have found it really tough to string together two wins on the bounce and once again after beating Punjab, they faltered in their previous game against Gujarat. They have had injury setbacks with regards to the bowling arsenal and that opening spot alongside skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a big question mark as the likes of Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane just haven't found much consistency. They do have a few batters who have done really including the captain, Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni who has been able to go ballistic in the death overs but need a bit more from the others. The pace attack is definitely a concern and they will be hoping that the spinners can get them through this crunch encounter. On the flip side, Rajasthan were cruising towards the playoffs with 8 wins from 9 games but two losses on the trot and they lost top spot in the table. A win from their remaining 3 games should see them through but they will be targeting a top two berth which gives that additional chance of making it through to the Final. Just like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajasthan's skipper Sanju Samson has had the tournament of a lifetime with the bat and has looked a far more matured player than we have seen in the last couple of years. The openers have been patchy and need to fire as the likes of Riyan Parag and Samson can't always win the game for the side. The bowling has been up and down with regards to the pacers in recent games but the duo of Trent Boult and Sandeep Sharma has managed to do well. The spin twins, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal will be key, especially given it is a day game in Chennai and it might just come down to which arsenal of spinners bowl better. Can Chennai take a huge step towards qualification with a win here? Or will Rajasthan avoid a hat-trick of defeats and send Chennai on the verge of elimination? We shall find out.