Chennai Super Kings’ tried-and-tested technique of leaving it for late didn’t yield the specified outcomes as they misplaced to Rajasthan Royals by three runs within the seventeenth match of the IPL 2023 on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday night time. This was CSK’s solely second loss to RR at house in eight video games. Chasing a tough 176 for victory, CSK completed proceedings at 172/6 with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni staying unbeaten on a 17-ball 32. Dhoni, who was main CSK for the two hundredth time within the IPL, hit three sixes and a boundary, whereas Ravindra Jadeja, the opposite unbeaten batter, scored a 15-ball 25. Bowling the final over with 20 runs to defend, the vastly skilled medium pacer Sandeep Sharma, held his nerves to limit the yellow brigade, regardless of Dhoni’s two glorious sixes within the over.

The Royals’ third win in 4 video games took them to the highest of the factors desk. They have six factors, the identical because the Lucknow Super Giants, however are forward on the idea of the online run price. CSK, alternatively, lie in fifth place with two wins and an equal variety of losses.

Former Australia pacer Brett Lee praised the 29-year-old Sharma on JioCinema, saying: “I like what he said in his post-match interview about how over the wicket wasn’t working, so he came around the wicket. But you’re right. It’s right within his arc, that sweet spot, and if he missed it by an inch, it would have gone for six. Full credit to Sandeep Sharma, bowling with a wet ball to MS Dhoni who is on fire, they’ve got the whole crowd against them. He closed out the game under pressure and that is absolutely hats off to him to win by three runs.”

Former India cricketer RP Singh was impressed by Sharma’s final-over execution, particularly after the poor begin he received off to in it.

“It started with two wides and then a dot ball, and then we got to see two sixes as well. When the sixes were hit, the pressure was bound to catch up. At that time, you had to back yourself. We have heard the same thing from Dhoni that he will capitalize on every mistake a bowler makes and punish him with a six. He always puts that pressure on the bowler, so imagine the mental state Sandeep Sharma was in. He knew that this batter will hit sixes if I make even the smallest mistake. Executing it the way he did is something that should be recognized.”

Meanwhile, former India Test captain Anil Kumble was completely satisfied to see Dhoni carry out nicely, saying: “I thought it was the perfect script for MS Dhoni there. In his 200th match as the captain of CSK. He was there for the last ball with six needed. If it was two or three inches slightly shorter, I think he would’ve done it. It was the perfect script. It was wonderful to see someone like MS Dhoni do it even now.”