END OF OVER:20 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | RR: 182/9 | RR: 9.10
- Tushar Deshpande1 (2b)
- Maheesh Theekshana2 (4b)
- Matheesha Pathirana4-0-28-2
- Khaleel Ahmed4-0-38-2
9:19pm An excellent effort by CSK in the back half to rein RR back. At the half-way stage, it seemed they were on course for 200, especially with Rana playing an astonishing hand. But the problem for RR was that none of the other batters really got into that kind of rhythm. Parag contributed handily through the middle but that was it, with RR's decision to hold back Hetmyer also leaving a bit to be desired.
CSK will be pleased with their efforts, especially post a powerplay in which they conceded 79. Noor was brilliant through the middle phase, with Pathirana just as exceptional towards the end. Jadeja, held back while Rana was rampaging, also bowled two tidy overs. Ashwin and Overton, though, were expensive, despite Ashwin bagging Rana, and it remains to be seen how costly that early damage could still be.
CSK might fancy their chances of chasing this total but they have not chased a 180-plus score since 2019, losing eight times while attempting it during this phase. Can they turn that around tonight, or will RR get on the board? We will be back in a bit to find out!
Noor Ahmad: (On becoming the Purple Cap holder again) Happy to get it back, always feels special, hope I can keep it at the and of the tournament. The wrong'un (googly) was going good on this surface, I was getting a bit of grip and turn - that is why I wanted to bowl it a little more. It feels good to contribute to my team, always want to contribute, whether it is in fielding, bowling or any department. I knew any full delivery will go for a boundary, so pulled my length back. Hopefully we can get a good start and we can adjust in the middle.