IPL: Raina, Watson help Chennai hand 177-run target to Rajasthan

Jaipur May 11 (IANS) A decent batting effort helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) post a fighting total of 176/4 against Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League (IPL) tie at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Friday.

It was a fine knock by Suresh Raina (52 off 35 balls) followed by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni s unbeaten 33 and opener Shane Watson s 39 runs which took the yellow brigade to a good total against the hosts.

Opting to bat first the visitors were off to a quick start as openers Ambati Rayudu and Watson accumulated 19 runs from the first two overs.

However the decent start was short-lived as Jofra Archer drew the first blood for the hosts when a short-ball from him took an inside edge to shattered Rayudu s (12 off 9 balls) stumps in the third over.

The opener s fall saw Raina joining Watson in the middle and the duo helped Chennai recover from the early blow taking their side past the 50-run mark in 5.1 overs.

Both batmen further played sensibly and shared an 81-run partnership to help the yellow brigade cross 100-run mark in 11.1 overs.

With the Australian all-rounder inching towards his half-centrury Archer struck again in the 12th over to pack back a good looking Watson on 39 runs and Chennai s scorecard reading 105/2.

On the other hand Raina who was then accompanied by skipper Dhoni slammed his half century facing 32 balls however the southpaw threw his wicket when he failed to read a googly by Ish Sodhi giving an easy catch to Stuart Binny at short-fine leg.

With Chennai at 119/3 in 13 overs Dhoni and Sam Billings (27 off 22) forged a 55-run partnership off 39 balls to put back things in control.

Billings departed in the final over while trying to take a single as wicket-keeper Jos Buttler s throw from behind demolised the Englishman s stump.

Dhoni remained unbeaten on 33 runs facing 23 balls hitting a boundary and a six to help his side reach a fighting total of 176 runs.

For Rajasthan Archer bagged couple of wickets but leaked 42 runs while Sodhi scalped one conceding 29 runs.

Brief Scores:

Chennai Super Kings: 176/4 (Suresh Raina 52 Shane Watson 39; Jofra Archer 2/42) vs Rajasthan Royals.

--IANS
kk/