IPL: Dhoni, Rayudu seal huge chase against RCB

Ambati Rayudu claimed the Orange Cap and Mahendra Singh Dhoni played one of his specials as Chennai Super Kings moved to the top of the IPL table with a stunning win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.

Dhoni silenced the Bengaluru crowd with a six off Corey Anderson as Chennai mowed down RCB’s 205-8, winning by five wickets with two balls to spare.

Dhoni ended on 70 off 34 balls with seven sixes, but it was Dwayne Bravo who made it easier in the end, hitting Anderson for a four and six off the first two balls of the final over with 16 required for victory.

Dhoni and opener Rayudu had put CSK back on course for the win with a 101-run fifth wicket partnership after they were reduced to 74-4 by the ninth over.

Rayudu topscored with 82 off 53 balls, inclusive of eight sixes and three fours, and now has the most runs in the competition- 283 in six innings.

Again, RCB’s bowling came into question with Anderson conceding 58 off 3.4 overs and three other bowlers going at over 12 runs per over.

Earlier, AB deVilliers cracked eight sixes in 68 off 30, Quinton de Kock scored 53 off 37 and Mandeep Singh 32 off 17 as RCB’s batters dominated proceeding. Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir and Bravo took two wickets each.

IPL action continues tomorrow (Thursday) with Sunrisers Hyderabad playing at home against Kings XI Punjab at 10:30h.

Editor’s note: Follow the action live on E2, the exclusive local broadcaster of IPL 2018.