In last overs, Riyan Parag unveils his master plan for taking on MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja
Rajasthan Royals secured their first win of the season in a thrilling contest against Chennai Super Kings, clinching a 6-run victory in Guwahati under the leadership of stand-in captain Riyan Parag. Despite posting 182/9 on the board, Parag admitted that his side fell short of an ideal total but compensated for it with an impressive bowling and fielding performance. Reflecting on the match, he expressed that while the team could have put up 20 more runs, their collective effort in the second innings ensured a positive outcome. He emphasized that after two difficult games, the focus was on approaching this match with a fresh mindset, and it paid off with a well-rounded team performance.
A significant strategic decision in the game was the limited use of Jofra Archer, who did not complete his full quota of overs. Parag justified this call, explaining that with multiple bowling options available, the team adapted based on the match situation. He highlighted that both he and Nitish Rana were potential bowling options, which allowed for a more flexible approach. His instinctive captaincy played a role in shaping the game’s flow, leading to a crucial win for the Royals.
Fielding played a pivotal role in RR’s triumph, something Parag credited to the hard work put in by fielding coach Dishant Yagnik. He acknowledged that the team’s commitment to raising their fielding standards had been instrumental, making up for the shortfall in runs. Their sharpness on the field complemented the disciplined bowling effort, ultimately tilting the match in their favor.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, CSK struck early by dismissing Jaiswal cheaply. However, RR found stability through a crucial 82-run stand between Sanju Samson and Nitish Rana, with the latter playing a breathtaking knock of 81 off 33 balls. Captain Parag held the innings together with a steady 37 off 28, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end, preventing the Royals from accelerating further in the death overs. Noor Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, and Khaleel Ahmed were among the standout bowlers for CSK, restricting RR to 182/9.
Chasing 183, CSK faced an early setback as Rachin Ravindra departed for a duck. Rahul Tripathi and Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to build a foundation with a 46-run stand, but the middle order struggled to gain momentum. While Gaikwad fought hard with a well-crafted 63 off 44 balls, his dismissal proved to be the turning point. MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jamie Overton tried to push CSK towards the target, but their efforts fell just short, finishing at 176/6. RR’s bowling unit, led by Wanindu Hasaranga’s four-wicket haul, played a decisive role in defending the total. Sandeep Sharma and Archer also chipped in with crucial wickets to keep CSK at bay.
With this victory, RR finally registered their first points of the season, moving to ninth place in the standings. Meanwhile, CSK, with one win and two losses, found themselves in the seventh position, searching for consistency in the tournament.
