MS Dhoni’s diversified portfolio of performers outshines Sanju Samson’s billion-dollar laggards

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In a display of thorough professional cricket, CSK out-classed RR by 45 runs in Mumbai. In the 12th match of IPL2021, the three times IPL champions CSK put up a target of 189 that proved to be too big a task for the inaugural winners of the tournament Rajasthan Royals. The Royals failed to produce any noteworthy performance except for Jos Buttler (49 off 35 balls). Faf Du Plessis top-scored for the kings with 33 (17), while the spin twins Ravindra Jadeja and Moen Ali sealed the game for CSK.

In this interesting CSK inning of 188 runs, everyone played cameos that helped in achieving the desired result like a bucket of blue chips stocks. Whereas, RR played like fixed income products, unable to perform under pressure.

Here is a look at the performance of the bug ticket players during the match:

MS Dhoni (Rs 15 Crores): Playing in his 200th IPL game as captain, Dhoni was at his best, marshaling his troops and effecting bowling changes that waffled the clueless Rajasthan Royals. Playing at number 7, Dhoni (18 off 17 balls) had an average outing but his major impact was as the captain of the team and his ability to read the game.

Suresh Raina (Rs 11 Crores): The 2nd highest run-getter in IPL with 5448 runs under his belt, Raina is one of the mainstays of the CSK batting line-up. Batting at number 4, Raina scored 18 runs off 15 balls with 1 four and 1 six before being dismissed by Chetan Sakariya. He provided crucial support in yet another decent partnership with Ambati Rayadu (27 off 17 balls) that kept the team on course for a big total.

Ravindra Jadeja (Rs 7 Crores): The southpaw made a paltry contribution with the bat (8 off 7 balls) but turned the match on its head in the 2nd half of the match. As Jos Buttler was looking set to take the game away from CSK, Dhoni weaved his magic and Jadeja executed the plan to perfection. In a stroke of genius, Dhoni asked Jadeja (as heard from the stump mic) to dry the ball before the next delivery anticipating the turn and bounce off the wicket. The very next ball saw the demise of Buttler as the ball gripped the wicket, turned viscously, and cleaned up his stumps reducing the score to 87/3. Jadeja ended with the figures of 2 wickets 28 runs off his 4 overs.

Moeen Ali (Rs 7 Crores): The English all-rounder, looked at home since the time he has dawned the yellow jersey. In the 3 matches so far Ali has scored 108 runs and taken 4 wickets. Continuing his good form Ali ran through the RR batting order with 3 wickets for only 7 runs off his 3 overs, while bowling in tandem with Jadeja. Ali also scored 26 off 20 balls with two sixes and one four. His exploits with both bat and ball earned him the man of the match award.

Dwayne Bravo (Rs 6.40 Crores): In a fiery unbeaten 8 balls innings the Caribbean all-rounder struck 2 fours and 1 six to score 20 runs. Scoring at a strike rate of 250, Bravo ensured a score past 180 for CSK. While bowling he dismissed Rahul Tewatia (20 off 15), extinguishing any chance of a RR fightback.

Faf du Plessis (Rs 1.60 Crores): The proteas veteran took CSK to an aggressive start scoring 33 runs off just 17 balls. Retained for one of the lowest amounts, Du Plessis’s contribution was gold-dust for the team.

Chasing the target of 189, RR needed a solid batting display and with a deep line-up on paper, the loyalists appeared hopeful. But the story panned out to be a disappointing one -too many promises with too few results.

Chris Morris (Rs 16.25 Crores): Yet another forgettable outing for the biggest buy of the season. RR rooted for a rescue act from Morris as the score was 95/6 as he stepped out to bat, only to walk back to the pavilion 2 balls later for a duck. While bowling Morris picked 2 wickets for 33 runs from 4 overs.

Sanju Samson (Rs 8 Crores): The curious case of Sanju Samson continues this season as well. Every year he starts the tournament with an innings of reckoning and gradually fizzles away as the tournament progresses. He started this season with a glorious century followed by two low scores. Samson was dismissed for just a single off 5 balls.

Jos Buttler (Rs 4.40 Crores): The English gloves man was the only batsman who played an innings of substance for RR. During his 35 balls stay at the crease, Buttler hit 5 fours and 2 sixes, looking comfortable against CSK bowlers before being dismissed one short of a well-deserved fifty.

Shivam Dube (Rs 4.40 Crores): The Indian All rounder’s yet another dismal performance has raised some eyebrows especially considering the amount spent for this purchase during the auctions. Dube could only manage 17 off 20 balls in the run chase.

With this convincing victory, Chennai Super Kings moves to 2nd place on the points table while Rajasthan Royals slips to the 6th position.