Welcome back.. Shane Watson back in the side and back opening the innings. Rahane will be partnering him. Ishwar Pandey to start proceedings. He has a couple of slips in place...
Bravo: "Not a bad effort. The situation gave me the opportunity to get set. It's not wicket that you can actually come in and play shots. The pitch was on the slower side. When we looked at the scoreboard around the 10 overs mark, we were 60 odd and we knew by T20 standards we can score quickly in the last 10 overs. The first six overs with the ball are going to be very important for us."
It was Dwayne Smith, dripping with power-packed shots, who made an impact. Once he was dismissed, Bravo rose to the occasion of playing in a big game with a well-constructed fifty. He took on the gauntlet of facing up to Tambe and smacked him for two fours and a six in the 18th over. Going into the break, Rajasthan seem to have their noses in front.
Dwayne Bravo and MS Dhoni played with composure to lift Chennai to a competitive total. Earlier, Pravin Tambe deceived Brendon McCullum with the path of his flight and guile to snare his wicket and give the hosts a rousing start. Ankit Sharma, Chris Morris and James Faulkner also bowled well to put the lid on the scoring rate and take wickets. On his part, Shane Watson showed tactical nous by not allowing the opposition to get used to any bowler. In fact, six bowling changes were made in the first six overs of the innings.
19.6 -
C Morris to Dhoni, no run, would you believe it, he's missed a friendly full toss. 144.2kph and outside off stump, Dhoni swings and misses
19.5 -
C Morris to Dhoni, 2 runs, short of length delivery on the off stump, Dhoni mistimes the slog, he swings so hard and loses shape, the ball rolls to deep mid-wicket, quickly returns for the second to keep strike
19.4 -
C Morris to Dhoni, no run, good length delivery wide outside off stump, Dhoni leaves it alone thinking it would be called a wide, but it was just inside the line
19.3 -
C Morris to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, short of length delivery on the stumps, Bravo slogs and gets an inside edge onto thigh pad
19.2 -
C Morris to Dwayne Bravo, no run, yorker just outside off stump, Bravo goes hard at it and misses. The ball almost shaved the off pole
19.1 -
C Morris to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, that's cruel for the bowler. Yorker on the off stump, Bravo backs away and squeezes it fine to the left of short third man and it goes for four. That was a very good ball, but it's cost him four runs
Chris Morris [3.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
18.6 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, no run, full and outside off stump, Dhoni swings and misses
18.5 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, 3 runs, in the air and that will go down as a dropped chance. Slower ball outside off stump, Bravo mistimes the slog, it goes straight down the ground, Karun Nair runs to his left from long-on, takes the catch, but he thought he was too close to the rope and tried to throw it back to Smith, who was running to his right from long-off, but Smith couldn't get it. Nair need not have thrown it back as he wasn't that close to the rope
18.4 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, 1 run, slower ball on the stumps, slogged to deep mid-wicket
18.4 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, wide, way outside off stump, Dhoni lets it go
18.3 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, leg byes, 1 run, Bravo walks right across the stumps and looks to flick it behind square on the on-side, misses and gets hit on the pad, but the ball hit him outside off stump. Dhoni tries to steal a run, Bravo was late to respond, Faulkner picks up the ball, takes aim but misses the target at the bowler's end. Bravo had given up and was not even in the picture
18.2 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, 2 runs, Bravo slogs, gets it on the inside half of the bat and it is fielded by Ankit Sharma at deep mid-wicket
18.1 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, 2 runs, slower ball low full toss, Bravo looks to go inside-out again, not timed properly but it just clears extra-cover
Bravo pulls out as Faulkner was running in.
James Faulkner [3.0-0-17-1] is back into the attack
17.6 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, fifty off just 29 balls. 4th T20 League fifty for the all-rounder. Low full toss on the leg stump, Bravo flicks it to deep mid-wicket and keeps strike. This has been an excellent innings
17.5 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, SIX, rank long hop and Bravo doesn't miss out. Too short, Bravo rocks back and pulls it handsomely over deep mid-wicket.
17.4 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, again Bravo concentrates on driving the ball through the off-side and gets four more. Tambe misses his length and bowls a full toss, Bravo takes a step forward, opens the face of the bat and drives it through cover. The fielder in the deep moved to his right after the first boundary and the ball now goes to his left
17.3 -
Tambe to Dhoni, 1 run, flighted delivery on the stumps, Dhoni steps out and drills it hard to long-on
17.2 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, almost a yorker, flicked wide of long-on, Bravo wants two but the fielder got to the ball quickly
17.1 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, this is top-class batting from Bravo! Flighted delivery on the stumps, Bravo steps out, gets to the pitch of the ball and plays a lovely inside-out drive through extra-cover and bisects the two fielders in the deep
Pravin Tambe [3.0-0-19-1] is back into the attack
16.6 -
Watson to Dhoni, no run, Dhoni steps out and yorks himself, dug out back to the bowler
16.5 -
Watson to Dhoni, no run, wide outside off stump, Dhoni mistimes the cut to point
16.4 -
Watson to Dhoni, FOUR, bad ball from Watson. Short and asking for trouble, it wasn't high enough to trouble Dhoni as well. The CHN skipper hangs back and pulls it powerfully off the back foot through mid-wicket
16.3 -
Watson to Dhoni, no run, Dhoni steps out and looks for a big hit, but mistimes the drive straight to extra-cover
16.2 -
Watson to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, short of length delivery outside off stump, Bravo dabs it to backward point and gets off strike
16.1 -
Watson to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, low full toss, flicked away nicely through mid-wicket, Karun Nair runs to his right from long-on and dives but the ball wins the race. Fifty partnership comes up off 42 balls
Shane Watson [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
Time-out
15.6 -
C Morris to Dhoni, FOUR, and again. The emphasis is on timing and placing the ball than muscling it and he gets four runs. Short and wide outside off stump, Dhoni guides it to the left of backward point, third man runs to his right and dives, but dives over the ball
15.5 -
C Morris to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, full and almost a yorker, Bravo drives it to long-off
15.4 -
C Morris to Dhoni, 1 run, slower ball, Dhoni advances and gets closer to the pitch of the ball, driven to long-on
15.3 -
C Morris to Dhoni, no run, oh a big swing from Dhoni and he only connects with thin air. Short of a length delivery outside off stump, Dhoni slogs and misses
15.2 -
C Morris to Dhoni, no run, short of length delivery on the off stump, Dhoni defends it to cover
15.1 -
C Morris to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, Bravo looks to go through extra-cover with this back foot drive, but the bat turns in his hands and it rolls to long-on
Chris Morris [2.0-0-5-1] is back into the attack
14.6 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, no run, defended to cover
14.5 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, no run, slower ball, Dhoni advances and yorks himself, digs it out to point
14.4 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, FOUR, too much width on offer and Dhoni doesn't miss out. The good thing is, he didn't try to hit it too hard. Always felt that for his power and the willow he has in his hands, he just has to time the ball and put it in the gap. Dhoni cuts it to the right of backward point, Rahane dives but the ball escapes past him
14.3 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, back-of-the-hand slower ball outside off stump, Bravo lofts it on the bounce to long-off
14.2 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, no run, short of length delivery outside off stump, Bravo cuts and picks out backward point
14.1 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, 1 run, back of a length delivery outside off stump, Dhoni drives it to deep extra-cover
James Faulkner [2.0-0-11-1] is back into the attack
13.6 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, the extra ball has cost Deepak Hooda and the Rajasthan badly. 100 up for CHN! Short and outside off stump, Bravo lofts it over extra-cover and this time it was well wide of Rahane
13.5 -
Deepak Hooda to Dhoni, 1 run, advances and swings hard, gets an inside edge that rolls towards square leg
13.5 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Bravo, 2 wides, down the leg side, the keeper fumbles and they get an extra run
13.4 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Bravo, 2 runs, stunning piece of fielding from Jinks! Bravo hit that very hard off the back, it was heading for four but Rahane ran to his left from long-off, put in the dive and stopped it with his left hand
13.3 -
Deepak Hooda to Dhoni, 1 run, full toss, Dhoni advances and mistimes the drive, Hooda dives to his right and takes some pace off the ball as it rolls to long-on
13.2 -
Deepak Hooda to Dhoni, no run, flatter in trajectory, punched off the back foot to cover
13.1 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, offie on the stumps, Bravo nudges it through mid-wicket
Deepak Hooda [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
12.6 -
Tambe to Dhoni, no run, just sliding down the leg side, Dhoni fails to turn it on the on-side, wears it on the pad
12.5 -
Tambe to Dhoni, no run, flighted delivery outside off stump, pushed off the front foot to cover
12.4 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, driven nicely along the turf, with the spin again, but long-off is very square and it goes straight to him
12.3 -
Tambe to Dhoni, 1 run, tossed up outside off stump, Dhoni drives it with the spin and sends it to long-off
12.2 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, flatter delivery outside off stump, Bravo cuts it to sweeper cover
12.1 -
Tambe to Dhoni, 1 run, this is going to be interesting. Dhoni is advancing almost every ball, he does this time as well, but luckily gets an inside edge on the slog and it rolls to backward square leg
Pravin Tambe [2.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack
11.6 -
Watson to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, this is a top shot from Bravo! Watson just stands there in disbelief. This actually wasn't a bad ball at all. Short of a length just outside off stump, not much of room on it either, Bravo stands tall and punches it sweetly off the back foot, once it beat backward point to his left, third man had no chance
11.5 -
Watson to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, firmly flicked off the pads. Poor line from Watson, especially with fine leg inside the ring, Bravo helps it on its way and sends it to the left of the man at 45
11.5 -
Watson to Dwayne Bravo, wide, bumper but down the leg-side, one bouncer for the over signals umpire Marais Erasmus
11.4 -
Watson to Dhoni, 1 run, down the track to flick this short of length delivery to backward square leg
11.3 -
Watson to Dhoni, no run, shimmies down the track, Watson keeps Dhoni calm by dragging his length back
11.2 -
Watson to Dwayne Bravo, leg byes, 1 run, short of length delivery just sliding down the leg-side, Bravo misses the flick, the ball rolls off the thigh pad to square leg
11.1 -
Watson to Dhoni, 1 run, Dhoni comes down the track and flicks the short of length delivery to deep square leg, takes the first run quickly but couldn't get back for the second
Shane Watson, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Watson is the 7th bowler for the Rajasthan today.
10.6 -
Binny to Dhoni, 1 run, driven to extra-cover and he'll keep the strike
10.5 -
Binny to Dhoni, FOUR, slower ball bumper outside off stump, Dhoni takes a step forward, on seeing the ball come slowly off the deck, waits and looks to dab, the ball goes off the inside half of the bat and beats third man
10.4 -
Binny to Dhoni, no run, finally he plays one from the crease. Width on offer outside off stump, Dhoni cuts and picks out backward point though
10.3 -
Binny to Dhoni, no run, and again, dancing down the track to tuck this fuller length ball to mid-wicket
10.2 -
Binny to Dhoni, no run, Dhoni is giving the charge to the bowler every ball. Binny drags his length back, Dhoni muscles it straight to mid-off
10.1 -
Binny to Dhoni, no run, advances and takes it on the full, flicked to mid-wicket
Stuart Binny, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
9.6 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, no run, back of a length and just outside off, Bravo stands tall and punches it back towards the bowler
9.5 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, 1 run, Faulkner shortens the length as Dhoni shimmied down the track, tucked away behind square on the on-side for a single
9.4 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, the slower bouncer from Faulkner, Bravo waits on it and helps it in front of square on the on-side
9.3 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, 1 run, short of a length and just outside off, pushed to the right of point for a single, Dhoni's off and running
9.2 -
Faulkner to Dhoni, no run, yorker length delivery from Faulkner, Dhoni digs it out, Faulkner leaps across and makes a half-stop
MS Dhoni, right handed bat, comes to the crease
9.1 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, out Bowled!! That's an awful slog from Smith! He is disconsolate, stares at his partner and walks off. Faulkner strikes and RAJ take further control. This was pitched up and went with the angle, Smith was looking to heave it somewhere wide of mid-wicket, ends up getting a thick inside edge and the ball crashes into the stumps. Nice way to get going after the strategic break. Dwayne Smith b Faulkner 40(29) [4s-3 6s-2]
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
James Faulkner [1.0-0-8-0] is back into the attack
Time for the strategic break
8.6 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, 1 run, pushed through and on Smith's pads, he prods at that and gets an inside edge, the ball rolls towards short fine, a single to end the over, 16 runs from the over
8.5 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, FOUR, clever from Smith, pushed through quicker and on his pads, he goes back and tickles it very fine, gets it past the keeper and races away to the fence
8.4 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, SIX, massive, Smith was waiting for it! This was tossed up and in the zone outside off, Smith gets underneath the length and lifts it high and back over the bowler's head, 91 metres as the ball sails into the crowd
8.3 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, 2 runs, tossed up and on the stumps, Smith looks to go over long-on, gets a thick inside edge and wide of deep mid-wicket, back for the second run
8.2 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, 2 runs, flatter and quicker from Sharma, Smith works it in front of square on the on-side, runs hard and gets back for the second run
8.1 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, flighted and on off, driven past the diving bowler for a single
A slip still in place
7.6 -
Tambe to Dwayne Smith, 2 runs, slower and on the stumps, Smith works it in front of long-on, runs hard and gets back for the second run
7.5 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, flighted delivery and on off, punched down towards long-off for a single
7.4 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR, that's a rare bad ball from Tambe, dropped it short and on the stumps, Bravo rocks back and pulls it high and over mid-on, a couple of bounces and over the ropes
7.3 -
Tambe to Dwayne Smith, 1 run, tossed up just outside off, Smith went for the big drive, ends up dragging it in front of square on the on-side for a single
7.2 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, almost another! This was flighted and on the off-stump line, Bravo was looking for the big lofted shot, the ball dips on him, he ends up chipping it in the air, falls in front of the diving mid-on fielder
7.1 -
Tambe to Dwayne Bravo, no run, low full-toss from Tambe, Bravo was looking to work it towards the on-side, the ball dips onto him, he ends up pushing it towards short cover
Pravin Tambe [1.0-0-6-1] is back into the attack
6.6 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, no run, pushed through quicker and on Smith's pads, he looks to work it behind square and is hit on the pads
6.5 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, slower and wider from Ankit, Bravo reaches out and slaps it in the air, gets it wide of cover for a single
6.4 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Bravo, no run, slower and on the stumps, Bravo presents the full face of the bat and drives it back at the bowler
6.3 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Bravo, no run, flighted delivery and just outside off, Bravo prods across and defends it
Dwayne Bravo, right handed bat, comes to the crease
6.2 -
Ankit Sharma to du Plessis, out Caught by C Morris!! Exceptional catch from Morris at long-off! That's another big blow for CHN. For a moment, he seemed to have misjudged the trajectory, but manages to hold on, tumbling backwards. This was tossed up and slower outside off, du Plessis came down the track and drilled it towards long-off. Morris was the man in the deep, he keeps his eyes on the ball and takes it tumbling backwards. He's mobbed by his mates. du Plessis c C Morris b Ankit Sharma 1(3)
Ankit Sharma to du Plessis, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
6.1 -
Ankit Sharma to du Plessis, no run, that was strange! du Plessis was premeditating the paddle sweep, Ankit spotted it early and dragged it wider, du Plessis paddles it straight onto his helmet
Ankit Sharma [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack
5.6 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, short of a length and just outside off, Smith stays behind the line and defends it towards mid-on
5.5 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, on a good length and just outside off, punched straight to the fielder at point
5.4 -
C Morris to du Plessis, 1 run, short of a length and angling into du Plessis' body, nudged wide of mid-on for a single
Faf du Plessis, right handed bat, comes to the crease
5.3 -
C Morris to Raina, out Caught by Samson!! Raina pays the penalty for the slack running! He shouldn't have been facing this delivery, instead he now has to walk back to the hut. This was short and went with the angle, too close to cut, Raina is cramped for room as he attempts the shot, gets a thick edge, Samson moves across to his left and gobbles up the chance. Raina c Samson b C Morris 4(8)
C Morris to Raina, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
5.2 -
C Morris to Raina, 2 runs, poor running from Raina, Morris kept it full as Raina was moving across in his crease, slugged away past square leg. Ankit gets across from deep square leg, puts in the slide and keeps the batsmen down to a brace. There should have been a third there, but that's some slack running from Raina and Smith, they settle for just two
5.1 -
C Morris to Raina, no run, short of a length and just outside off, Raina gets behind the line and defends it towards straightish mid-off
Chris Morris [1.0-0-2-0] is back into the attack
4.6 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, 2 runs, that's nicely bowled by Faulkner, but equally well played by Smith, very full and just outside off, Smith jams his bat down and punches it past the diving mid-off fielder. The man at long-on gets across and keeps them down to a brace
4.5 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, no run, the slower bouncer from Faulkner, doesn't come onto the batsman, he was way too early on the cut and gets a bottom edge towards the off-side
4.4 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, no run, on a good length and just outside off, Smith presses across and defends it towards mid-wicket
4.3 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, SIX, that's massive! Too short from Faulkner, can't bowl short with his pace, Smith swivels across and helps it high and over long-leg, that would have been a six on most grounds
4.2 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, no run, tad fuller and on off, Smith presses forward and defends it with a straight bat towards mid-off
4.1 -
Faulkner to Dwayne Smith, no run, short of a length and going with the angle, Smith was early onto the pull and mistimes it towards the on-side
James Faulkner, comes into the attack
3.6 -
Deepak Hooda to Raina, no run, Hooda shortened the length as Raina came down the track, nudged towards mid-on
3.5 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Smith, 1 run, Hooda drifts one onto Smith's pads, he was looking to sweep and gets a toe-end, the ball rolls in front of square leg for a quick single
3.4 -
Deepak Hooda to Raina, 1 run, flighted delivery and well outside off, Raina gets a good stride forward and eases it down towards long-off for a run
3.3 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Smith, 1 run, tossed up and on the stumps, Smith takes it on the full and flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single
3.2 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Smith, FOUR, this is poor bowling from Hooda, drifts one well down leg-side, Smith gets down on his knees, rolls his wrists around it and sweeps it very fine for a boundary
3.1 -
Deepak Hooda to Dwayne Smith, FOUR, gentle loosener from Hooda, comes from round the wicket and drops this one short, pulled away over square leg for a boundary
Deepak Hooda, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
2.6 -
Tambe to Raina, no run, Tambe gave this one more air, punched back towards the bowler. A successful over from Tambe
2.5 -
Tambe to Raina, no run, flighted delivery and just outside off, Raina goes back and punches it back at the bowler
2.4 -
Tambe to Dwayne Smith, 1 run, pushed through by Tambe, Smith goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single
2.3 -
Tambe to Raina, 1 run, flighted delivery and on Raina's pads, he comes down the track, takes it on the full and flicks it away, in front of square on the on-side, just a single
Suresh Raina, left handed bat, comes to the crease
2.2 -
Tambe to Brendon McCullum, out Caught by Faulkner!! That's a big blow for CHN! The in-form McCullum departs! A nothing ball from Tambe, dropped it short and just outside off, it skidded through after pitching, McCullum was looking to pull it over mid-wicket, doesn't get hold of the shot and holes out to Faulkner at mid-on. Tambe exults in delight, McCullum trudges off in disappointment. Brendon McCullum c Faulkner b Tambe 12(7) [4s-3]
Tambe to Brendon McCullum, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
2.1 -
Tambe to Brendon McCullum, FOUR, that's drilled powerfully by McCullum, went just over the outstretched hands of Tambe, he was late in reaction, the ball goes over the top and beats the man getting across from long-off
Pravin Tambe, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
1.6 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, that's nicely bowled by Morris, slips in the slower off-cutter as Smith gave the charge, the batsman wasn't anywhere near the pitch of the ball, beaten on the hopeful swish
1.5 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, 2 runs, too short from Morris, Smith swivels across, rolls his wrists and helps it behind square on the on-side. Binny gets across from deep square leg, puts in the slide and pulls the ball back in, saves a couple of runs for his team
1.4 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, short of a length and well outside off, steered straight to the fielder at point
1.3 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, fraction shorter and a hint of extra bounce for Morris, Smith was early onto the pull and is struck high on the thigh pad
1.2 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, back of a length and in that corridor outside off, Smith stays behind the line and defends it towards mid-wicket
Just one slip in place, he's a tad wider as well
1.1 -
C Morris to Dwayne Smith, no run, short of a length and angling into Smith, he presses across and defends it towards the on-side
Chris Morris, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Ankit Sharma to Brendon McCullum, no run, this one is given more air, McCullum gets a big stride forward and blocks
0.5 -
Ankit Sharma to Brendon McCullum, FOUR, poor ball from Ankit, drops this one way too short and wide outside off, McCullum makes room and cracks it through extra cover, no need to run for those
0.4 -
Ankit Sharma to Brendon McCullum, no run, fraction shorter and on the stumps, McCullum goes back and defends it
0.3 -
Ankit Sharma to Brendon McCullum, FOUR, that's easy pickings for McCullum, Ankit drifts one outside leg, McCullum prods across and flicks it past Hooda at square leg, he gives the chase but the ball wins the race
0.2 -
Ankit Sharma to Brendon McCullum, no run, Ankit Sharma drifts one on the middle stump line, defended back towards the bowler
0.1 -
Ankit Sharma to Dwayne Smith, 1 run, flighted delivery and on the stumps, punched down towards long-on for a single
Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum are at the crease. Dwayne Smith is on strike. Ankit Sharma will open the attack
That ends the first match of this Sunday double header. BLR are taking on MUM in a crucial match for both teams at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Change tabs and enjoy more T20 League action. For now, cheers and bye..
Rahane: 'I am enjoying my batting. It's a funny game, you should also bat very well. You start on 0, my batting is going on well now. Opening with Watson is a pleasure. He dominates the oppositions, I just need to give the strike to him. I like to keep my batting simple. Getting runs in the first 6 overs is important, but then my job is to anchor the innings. Looking forward to the next few matches. I just want to take this confidence and do well in the next few matches.'
Rahane is the MoM for his unbeaten 76
Watson: 'It has been a couple of weeks break, due to my injury. It's nice to be back with the Rajasthan. Chennai is a great team, good to win against them. I was suffering from a bruised hip. It was a bit slow, little dry but was a good wicket. We knew we could chase down the target. The bowlers were excellent. Chris Morris bowled well, picking up early wickets against CHN is very important. The bowlers executed the plans superbly. We are getting better every year, the people we brought in continue to complement the squad, everyone enjoys the atmosphere at the Rajasthan. I didn't ask him (about getting captaincy back from Smith), but he was a caretaker and did a splendid job at it.'
Dhoni: 'It was an off-day for us. We started well, but I went in and ate up too many deliveries. It was difficult to stop them, they rotated the strike well. The pitch played well, it does under lights. I thought it was only a par score. This is a long tournament, so, it doesn't really matter (one loss). We didn't lose by a massive margin, hopefully, we will get better. It was warming to see Bravo do well. If he continues this way, I can come in at four and express myself early. We don't have Albie Morkel now, we have Ashwin at 8 and Jadeja at 7, if we lose too many early wickets, it's bound to trouble us.'
Lest we forget that Rahane too played his part with an enterprising fifty. Rahane's clean striking with an air of nonchalance, hustled Chennai's bowlers into submission. Earlier, the hosts put up a thoroughly professional performance with the ball in hand. Dwayne Smith and Bravo played useful hands to take the visitors to a decent total. However, in the end, it wasn't enough to test Rajasthan's opening duo. The hosts have now won all their five games in this year's T20 League.
Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane landed crunching blows as Rajasthan registered a comprehensive win. It was high-octane stuff from Watson as he played a volley of superb shots. Initially, it was Mohit Sharma, who came in for some punishment. Later on in his innings, Watson tore apart Chennai's spin twins, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin. He then reached his fifty in style by carting Dwayne Bravo for a six. Once he reached his fifty, it was Bravo, who was taken to the cleaners.
18.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to Nair, 1 run, RAJ win! They have now won 5 on the trot and are well placed in the points tally with 10 on the board. Another slower ball from Bravo, worked away in front of square on the on-side for a single. The RAJ camp exults, Watson is delighted, Dhoni walks off disappointed
Karun Nair, right handed bat, comes to the crease
18.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to S Smith, out Caught&Bowled!! That's a soft dismissal! This was the slower ball from Bravo, Smith didn't spot it early, pushes at that and ends up chipping a dolly back towards the bowler, a rare failure for Smith. No celebrations in the CHN camp. S Smith c and b Dwayne Bravo 6(7)
Dwayne Bravo to S Smith, THATS OUT!! Caught&Bowled!!
Dwayne Bravo [2.0-0-29-0] is back into the attack
17.6 -
Mohit Sharma to S Smith, 1 run, the slower bouncer from Mohit, pulled away behind square on the on-side for a single. Scores are tied now
17.5 -
Mohit Sharma to S Smith, 2 runs, fuller length delivery and just outside off, punched down towards long-off for a quick single. McCullum makes a direct hit at the bowler's end and ends up conceding another run
17.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, back of a length and just outside off, flat-batted pull towards long-on, just a single
17.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 2 runs, short and just outside off, Rahane waits on it, opens the face of the bat and runs it towards third man for another brace
17.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 2 runs, very full and tailing back into Rahane, squeezed out in front of cover for a quick single. Raina has a shy at the bowler's end, he misses and concedes an overthrow. Rahane was short if there was a direct hit
17.1 -
Mohit Sharma to S Smith, 1 run, short of a length and just outside off, Smith pulls it to the left of mid-wicket where Bravo makes a half-stop, saves three runs for his team
16.6 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, no run, slower and just outside off, Rahane prods forward and defends it
16.5 -
Ravindra Jadeja to S Smith, 1 run, pushed through flatter and quicker, Smith comes down the track and drives it down towards long-off
16.4 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 1 run, flighted and just outside off, dabbed in front of short third man for a quick single
16.3 -
Ravindra Jadeja to S Smith, 1 run, Jadeja drops one short and well outside off, steered square on the off-side for a single
16.2 -
Ravindra Jadeja to S Smith, no run, tossed up and well outside off, driven straight to the fielder at point
Steven Smith, right handed bat, comes to the crease
16.1 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, out Bowled!! Watson has yorked himself! Jadeja has a consolation wicket. This was fired full and on the leg-stump line, Watson cleared his left leg as he got forward, ended up getting into an awful tangle, the ball slips through his legs and hits the stumps. Ends a belligerent knock from the RAJ skipper. Watson b Ravindra Jadeja 73(47) [4s-6 6s-4]
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
Ravindra Jadeja [3.0-0-26-0] is back into the attack
Time for the strategic break
15.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, 1 run, another slower ball from Mohit, the line is well outside off, dabbed away behind square on the off-side for a single
15.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, short slower ball from Mohit, helped away behind square on the on-side for a single
15.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 2 runs, low full-toss from Mohit, flicked away in front of square on the on-side for a brace
15.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, no run, Rahane comes down the track to a full ball, swishes and misses
15.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, 1 run, you know it's not your day when the best of the fielders make clangers! This was another slower ball from Mohit, Watson was way too early on the shovel, gets it high and over mid-wicket. Smith runs back, Bravo comes in from the deep. He didn't go full steam, Smith couldn't get in time either. Both fielders look at each other. Bravo was telling Smith that it was his catch, Smith wasn't impressed one bit, neither is the bowler nor the captain
15.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, the slower ball from Mohit, from the back of the hand, eased down towards long-on for a single
Mohit Sharma [2.0-0-18-0] is back into the attack
14.6 -
Nehra to Watson, 2 runs, slower delivery from Nehra, Watson backs away and drags it wide of mid-wicket for another brace
14.5 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, record opening partnership for RAJ in T20 League, on a length and angling into Rahane, tucked away past square leg for a single
14.4 -
Nehra to Rahane, no run, tad fuller and just outside off, Rahane was pushing away from his body, gets a thick edge and to the left of point. McCullum moves across quickly and prevents runs
14.3 -
Nehra to Watson, 1 run, length ball and on off, Watson backs away and cracks it to the right of cover. Smith gets across and keeps them down to a single
14.2 -
Nehra to Watson, FOUR, this is a carnage at Motera! Full toss from Nehra, Watson makes room by backing away and drills it back past the bowler, no need to run for those, the ball races away to the fence
Nehra changes to round the wicket
14.2 -
Nehra to Watson, wide, Nehra bangs one short and down leg-side as he saw Watson advancing, he pulls and misses. Dhoni moves across, collects and belts out an appeal, nothing doing as it's signalled as a wide
14.1 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, on a good length and just outside off, eased down towards long-on for a single
13.6 -
Dwayne Bravo to Rahane, 1 run, the slower ball from Bravo, Rahane waits on it and works it wide of mid-on for a single
Back over the wicket
13.5 -
Dwayne Bravo to Watson, 1 run, Watson will feel he missed out there! Full-toss and on his pads, he looks to whip and gets an inside edge onto the pads
Back to round the wicket
13.4 -
Dwayne Bravo to Rahane, 1 run, on a good length and just outside off, punched down towards long-on for a single
13.3 -
Dwayne Bravo to Rahane, no run, fuller length delivery and well outside off, mistimed drive towards the off-side
13.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to Rahane, FOUR, this is getting over all too early! Bravo drops one short and on the stumps, Rahane swivels across, rolls his wrists and pulls it behind square on the on-side for a boundary
Back to over the wicket
13.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to Rahane, SIX, shot! Half-volley on Rahane's pads, he picks up the length early and deposits it into the deep mid-wicket stands, that's as telling a blow as it could be
12.6 -
Nehra to Watson, no run, tad fuller and on the stumps, driven back towards the bowler. Nehra threatens to throw it back towards the batsman, but he resists as Watson backed away further
12.5 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, on a good length and angling back into Rahane, dabbed in front of point for a single
Nehra changes to round the wicket
12.4 -
Nehra to Watson, 1 run, width on offer from Nehra, Watson throws his bat at that, gets a thick edge that bounces away towards third man
12.3 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, Nehra bangs one short and on the stumps, Rahane doesn't get hold of the pull, just a single behind square on the on-side
12.2 -
Nehra to Rahane, no run, short of a length and just outside off, pushed towards cover
12.1 -
Nehra to Rahane, 2 runs, length ball and on Rahane's pads, tucked away behind square for a couple, completes back-to-back fifties in this T20 League
Ashish Nehra [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
11.6 -
Dwayne Bravo to Watson, FOUR, nothing is going CHN's way today! Even top-edges are flying, Bravo can't believe, just a wry smile from him. He slipped in a slower ball, Watson was looking to carve it over extra cover, gets a thick outside edge, it loops over short third man and races away to the fence
11.5 -
Dwayne Bravo to Watson, no run, Bravo keeps it full and well outside off, Watson makes room for the slice towards third man and misses
11.4 -
Dwayne Bravo to Watson, FOUR, Watson is in a hurry! This was full and in that channel outside off, Watson makes room and was looking to go over cover, ends up getting a thick edge, clears point and races away to the third man fence
11.3 -
Dwayne Bravo to Watson, SIX, that's an emphatic manner to get to your fifty, his 14th in T20 League, this was full and just outside off, Watson makes room clears his left leg and drills it flat and hard, clears long-off with ease
11.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to Rahane, 1 run, tad fuller and on Rahane's pads, nudged towards mid-wicket for a single
11.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to Watson, 1 run, on a good length and shaping away from outside off, cracked square on the off-side for a single
Dwayne Bravo, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Bravo starts from round the wicket
10.6 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, 1 run, round-arm action from Jadeja, pushed through flatter and quicker, flat batted pull towards long-on for a single
10.5 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 1 run, tossed up and well outside off, punched square on the off-side for a single
10.4 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, 1 run, pushed through flatter by Jadeja, pummelled towards long-on, bounces well in front of the man at long-on
10.3 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 1 run, flighted and just outside off, dropped in front of short third man, Watson calls for a quick single and gets home with ease
10.2 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, 1 run, Jadeja drops one short and well outside off, Watson makes room and cracks it square on the off-side for a single
10.1 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 1 run, late call for a quick single, BMac doesn't collect the ball cleanly at cover and Watson is home, it was dabbed to the left of cover
9.6 -
Ashwin to Rahane, 1 run, again, Ash is slightly short, Rahane cuts it square of the wicket on the off-side
9.5 -
Ashwin to Rahane, 2 runs, flatter and around off, Rahane goes deep in the crease and punches it through cover, the fielder at sweeper cover mops up and keeps it to a double
9.4 -
Ashwin to Watson, 1 run, touch short and outside off, Watson cuts to sweeper cover, for a single
9.3 -
Ashwin to Watson, SIX, Watson dealing in sixes at the moment. It is his third in 6 balls. Tossed up just outside off, Watson bends down and slog sweeps it over cow corner for a maximum
9.2 -
Ashwin to Rahane, 1 run, nudged away to backward square leg, for a single
9.1 -
Ashwin to Rahane, FOUR, the boundaries have started to flow for Rajasthan. It was short and outside off, Rahane rides the bounce and cuts it to deep backward point, no chance for the sweeper to stop that
8.6 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, 2 runs, pushed through outside off, Watson slices the drive to the right of backward point, the fielder from sweeper cover tidies up and saves a couple of runs
8.5 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 1 run, wristed off the back foot to long-on
8.4 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, 1 run, slower through the air and outside off, Watson slices it over point for a single
8.3 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, no run, quicker and on the stumps, Watson turns it to the right of the bowler
8.2 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, SIX, magnificent hit! Watto getting on with things now. Floated up outside off, Watson stays leg-side of the ball and lofts it to the left of long-off, the fielder was a mere spectator as the ball sailed into the crowd
8.1 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, SIX, top shot! Not much flight on this delivery, Watson takes a step down the wicket, frees his hands and tonks it straight, well wide of the long-off fielder. The ball went flat and cleared the rope
7.6 -
Ashwin to Watson, 1 run, floated up close to off, Watson drills it back to Ashwin, who doesn't stop it cleanly and the batsmen steal a run
7.5 -
Ashwin to Rahane, 1 run, flatter and on the stumps, Rahane punches it past the diving bowler to long-on
7.4 -
Ashwin to Watson, 1 run, tossed up around off, Watson kneels down and slog sweeps it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket
7.4 -
Ashwin to Watson, 1 run, to deep mid wicket
7.3 -
Ashwin to Rahane, 1 run, trifle short, Rahane goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket
7.2 -
Ashwin to Watson, 1 run, quicker and outside off, Watson cuts it to sweeper cover
A leg gully in place..
7.1 -
Ashwin to Rahane, 1 run, straightaway turn for Ash, bowled at 80.8kph, Rahane was shaping to play the cut, but had to adjust seeing the ball spin, he dabs it wide of backward point
Ravichandran Ashwin, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
6.6 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 1 run, shortens the length, Rahane wrists it to long-on and keeps strike
6.5 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, no run, slower through the air, Rahane hangs back and defends it down the wicket
6.4 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Rahane, 2 runs, goes on with the arm, Rahane presses across and works it behind square on the leg-side for a brace. That also brings the 50-run stand between these two
6.3 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, 1 run, quicker and outside off, Watson slaps it to sweeper cover, for a single. It was bowled with a round-arm action
6.2 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, no run, fraction short and close to off, Watson cuts it straight to backward point
6.1 -
Ravindra Jadeja to Watson, no run, tossed up around off, Watson pushes it towards point
Ravindra Jadeja, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
Time-out
5.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, 1 run, short of length on off, Watson punches it to mid-off and hurries through for a sharp run
5.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, FOUR, finally, he gets the boundary which he was looking for. Mohit drags the length back, Watson was waiting for it and he pulls it square of the wicket on the on-side, no chance for the fielder in the deep
5.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, no run, Watson fails to pierce the gap for the third consecutive time, short and outside off, Watson cuts and picks out cover-point
5.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, no run, another super shot that doesn't fetch any runs, full and angling into the pads, Watson flicks it straight to mid-wicket, either side of the fielder and that would have been four
5.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, no run, fuller and just outside off, Watson plays a crips drive, but finds Faf at mid-off
5.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, no run, back of a length on off, Watson punches it to the left of Mohit, who palms it towards cover
4.6 -
Nehra to Rahane, FOUR, full and on the stumps, Rahane shuffles across a tad and flicks it to the right of long-on, Bravo runs across and tries to stop it with his boot, all in vain. He didn't dive as it was near the practice pitches
4.5 -
Nehra to Watson, 1 run, once more the ball eludes the CHN fielders. This time it was Nehra who was leaping. Slower ball on off, Watson checks his shot and chips it over the bowler, Nehra jumps up but doesn't even get a finger to it. Both batsmen are enjoying a bit of luck
4.4 -
Nehra to Watson, no run, another one that just evades the fielder. Fuller and outside off, Watson stretches forward and drives it in the air to mid-off, the ball lands just in front of Faf, who dived full length and still couldn't get there
4.3 -
Nehra to Watson, no run, short of length on off, Watson punches it down the wicket, Nehra bends down and stops the ball
4.2 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, on a length just outside off, Rahane pushes it to mid-off, scampers across for a brisk single
4.1 -
Nehra to Rahane, FOUR, in the air and safe! It might have been the slower delivery from Nehra, Rahane was early into the shot, he checks it and luckily gets it over Bravo at mid-on, the ball had enough to reach the fence. Nehra stands there in disbelief
Ashish Nehra [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack
3.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, 2 runs, a much better shot from Watto, it was fraction short and just outside off, Watson punches it through cover, Baz gives chase and keeps the batsmen down to a couple. Good over for RAJ as 13 came off it
3.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Watson, FOUR, edged and four! There was no one at slip and the ball went right where the second slip fielder would have been. Fullish and outside off, Watson drives away from the body and the outside edge runs down to the third man fence
3.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, excellent cricket from Jinks, knows that the boundary has come for the over, knocks it to mid-off and calls for a quick single, gets it with ease
3.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, no run, back of a length just outside off, Rahane stays back and pushes it to cover
3.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, SIX, rubbish delivery from Mohit, short and it sat up nicely for Rahane, he rocks back and pulls it in front of square, didn't bother to keep it on the ground and the ball went the distance. First maximum for the Rajasthan
3.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahane, no run, straightaway hits the good length area, Rahane presses forward and defends it back to the bowler
Mohit Sharma, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
2.6 -
I Pandey to Watson, no run, cramps the batsman for room with the short of length delivery, Watson hangs back and knocks it to point, Jaddu is quickly onto the ball
2.5 -
I Pandey to Rahane, 1 run, again, Pandey drifts onto Rahane's pads, clipped away to deep backward square leg
2.4 -
I Pandey to Watson, 1 run, shortens the length and provides width outside off, Watson cuts and picks out Mohit at third man
2.3 -
I Pandey to Watson, FOUR, Watson getting into his stride, it was tad overpitched and outside off, Watson gets well forward and caresses the drive past the diving cover fielder, Faf at mid-off didn't even bother to chase it
2.2 -
I Pandey to Rahane, 1 run, too straight from Pandey, on middle and leg, Rahane nurdles it behind square on the leg-side, for a single
2.1 -
I Pandey to Rahane, FOUR, superb shot! It was another top shot from Jinks. A good length delivery on middle, Rahane presents a straight bat and chips it over Watson, he got it straight enough to beat the mid-on fielder
1.6 -
Nehra to Watson, no run, fullish and outside off, Watson drives and finds cover, he didn't get the timing right as his feet were stuck in cement
1.5 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, back of a length on off, Rahane rolls his wrists and nudges it to the vacant mid-wicket region
1.4 -
Nehra to Watson, 1 run, pitched up around off, Watson goes for the cut with his feet in no position, the ball squirts off the inside edge to fine leg
1.3 -
Nehra to Rahane, 1 run, drags the length back, Rahane wrists it in front of square on the leg-side, for a single
1.2 -
Nehra to Rahane, FOUR, fabulous shot! That should get him going. It was not a bad ball from Nehra, on a length just outside off, Rahane comes forward and presents the full face of the bat and eases it to the right of mid-off, no chance for the fielder to stop that
Two men catching behind the wicket, one at slip and the other at a widish second slip
1.1 -
Nehra to Rahane, no run, slants it across the right-hander, Rahane walks down the wicket and goes for the drive, doesn't make contact and the ball beats the outside edge
Ashish Nehra, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
0.6 -
I Pandey to Watson, no run, back of a length on off, Watson gets right behind the line and defends back to the bowler. Good start by Ishwar Pandey
0.5 -
I Pandey to Rahane, 1 run, once more the ball does not come on as Rahane expected, he goes for the back foot punch, the ball takes the inside part and rolls in front of mid-on
Fine leg inside the circle now..
0.4 -
I Pandey to Rahane, no run, shortens the length close to off, Rahane stands tall and punches it to mid-off, no timing on that as it hit him high on the bat
0.3 -
I Pandey to Rahane, no run, the ball does not come on to the bat, Rahane goes for the expansive drive, mistimes it completely to the off-side
0.2 -
I Pandey to Rahane, no run, on a length just outside off, Rahane bunts it in front of cover, no chance for a single
Dhoni is already up to the stumps. He knows that the pitch is slow and the ball is not coming on
0.1 -
I Pandey to Rahane, no run, good length ball around the off-stump line, Rahane presses half-forward and defends it to cover, looks for the single but Watson is not interested
Rahane and Watson are at the crease. Rahane is on strike. I Pandey will open the attack