14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi played a mature and commanding innings, slamming a half-century to guide Rajasthan Royals to a convincing win over Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
The Royals, who have been struggling for consistency this season, looked a completely different unit as they chased down a target of 188 with ease, outplaying a beleaguered CSK side that continues to reel from a forgettable campaign.
CSK, batting first, failed to capitalise on a promising start. Despite some late fireworks from Dewald Brevis, who injected momentum with his aggressive strokeplay, the team faltered in the death overs, finishing with a below-par 187. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and a lack of composure in the latter half of the innings cost them dearly once again. Mhatre and Brevis tried to revive the innings, but neither could carry on to make a match-defining contribution.
Rajasthan Royals came out all guns blazing in the chase. Although Yashasvi Jaiswal got a life early on—thanks to a rare lapse from MS Dhoni behind the stumps—he couldn’t make the most of it. It was then that young Vaibhav Suryavanshi and skipper Sanju Samson took control. The duo looked poised to wrap up the chase quickly before both fell to veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, giving CSK a glimmer of hope.
However, that hope was short-lived. Riyan Parag departed cheaply, but Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer ensured there were no more hiccups. The pair stitched a calm yet assertive partnership to take RR over the line with balls to spare.
For CSK, it was another day of missed opportunities and lacklustre execution—a theme that has defined their campaign this year. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, not only secured a morale-boosting win but also leapfrogged CSK in the standings, distancing themselves from the dreaded wooden spoon.
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ayush Mhatre, Devon Conway, Urvil Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni(w/c), Anshul Kamboj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kwena Maphaka, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Madhwal
