IPL 2023: CSK vs RR - MS Dhoni nearly takes Chennai home but Rajasthan hold nerves in 3-run victory

Despite MS Dhoni's sensational cameo at the end, Rajasthan Royals pulled off a thrilling 3-run win at Chepauk.

Put in to bat first, Jos Buttler along with Devdutt Padikkal, provided a bright start to the Royals after Yashavi Jaiswal had perished for just 10 runs.

However, Jadeja bagged the wickets of Padikkal & Samson in the space of 3 balls, with Rajasthan reaching 88/3 in 9 overs.

While Buttler departed after completing his fifty, 30-run cameos from R Ashwin & Shimron Hetmyer saw Rajasthan post 175 from their 20 overs.

Chasing 176, Chennai lost the in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad early but Devon Conway held the innings with a half-century.

However, the CSK batters failed the trial by spin when they tried to catch up with the asking rate, falling to 113/6 at one stage.

But Dhoni & Jadeja got the home team right back into the game with a brilliant partnership right at the death.

With 40 needed off final 12 balls, CSK were down and out. But Dhoni's fiery 17-ball-32* and Jadeja's 15-ball-25* almost took Chennai home but it was Sandeep Sharma's brilliant final 3 deliveries that managed to restrict CSK to 173. And the Royals got the crucial 2 points.

Also Read: IPL 2023: CSK honour MS Dhoni in his 200th IPL game as Chennai captain