Fine performances by Ajinkya Rahane (70) and Pravin Tambe (3/10) guided Rajasthan Royals to a convincing 14-run win over Chennai Super Kings in the first semifinal of the Champions League Twenty20 in Jaipur on Friday. Chasing 160, Super Kings had a dismal start as they lost half of their side at the score of 61 against Royals. Chennai could all manage 145/8 in their 20 overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Chris Morris fought back hard towards the end for Chennai but they could not take them past the target.
Ashwin, who made a fighting and cracking 46, added 73 runs for the eighth wicket with Chris Morris (26*). Veteran spinner Pravin Tambe was on a roll as he picked up three crucial wickets giving away just 10 runs in his quota of four overs. The third wicket to go in Tambe’s kitty was of Suresh Raina who showed some resistance amidst ruins. Raina scored 23-ball 29 but fell short of partners from the other end.
Tambe dismissed West Indian Dwayne Bravo, who was caught plumb after he misjudged the nippy delivery, to claim his second wicket. Chennai were 59/4 after the end of 10 overs. The big blow came in the form of skipper MS Dhoni who was trapped in front of the wicket by Rajasthan spinner Rahul Shukla.
Chennai lost both the openers Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay very cheaply inside six overs. Subramaniam Badrinath also could not do much as he was foxed by Pravin Tambe. Hussey was first to go as he went half way down the track in search of a quick single but his opening partner Murali Vijay was not interested at all. Kevon Cooper threw the ball straight into the wicket-keeper Dishant Yagnik’s hands, who made no mistake whatsoever in removing the stumps. Vijay followed Hussey back in the dug out after he ran himself out in pursuit of a single.