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Chennai Super Kings kept their playoff hopes alive with a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in their final home league game of IPL 2023. Despite losing the toss and being asked to field in the afternoon heat, the CSK bowlers used a slow pitch expertly to restrict the Royals to 141. Simarjeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 26, while Tushar Deshpande and Maheesh Theekshana also chipped in with two wickets each.
The Royals never really got going with the bat, as they were kept in check by the CSK bowlers. Jos Buttler was dismissed cheaply by Simarjeet, while Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag were unable to provide any substantial support. Only Parag's 47 off 35 took the Royals to a respectable total.
In reply, the CSK openers Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell got their team off to a solid start with a 56-run partnership. Ravindra was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal in the fourth over, but Mitchell continued to play aggressively and kept the scoreboard ticking. Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad were both dismissed cheaply, but Shivam Dube came to the crease and played a crucial cameo, hitting 22 off 13 balls to break the shackles and put CSK in control of the chase.
CSK eventually reached their target with five wickets and two overs to spare. The win takes them up to 14 points from 13 matches, level with Sunrisers Hyderabad who have a game in hand, and two points clear of the nearest challengers outside the top four. The Royals, on the other hand, suffered their third straight defeat, which will be a cause for concern for them going into the playoffs.