CHENNAI:  In a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 match here, Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings by three runs thanks to an outstanding all-around performance from Ravichandran Ashwin (30 runs & 2-25) and a fine half-century from Jos Buttler (52). M.S. Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja put up a valiant fight, but it was in vain.

When Rajasthan Royals were requested to bat first by CSK, Buttler assisted them in getting over the shock of losing Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) and, with the support of Devdutt Padikkal (38), Ashwin (30), and Shimron Hetmyer (30 not out), helped them to a respectable 175/8 in their 20 overs.

It was Dhoni's 200th match as captain, so Chennai Super Kings were anticipated to have no trouble chasing down a target of 176 on a sluggish turner with plenty of dew falling.

However, after bouncing back from the setback of losing Rituraj Gaikwad, their leading scorer thus far, for eight runs, CSK reached a stage with 40 needed off the last 12 deliveries. Dhoni (32 not out off 17 deliveries) and Ravindra Jadeja (25 off 15) pulled them to 21 off six and then seven off three deliveries. Sandeep Sharma, who had begun the last over with two wides, bowled a brilliant yorker to deny the CSK the victory on his milestone day, and the game came down to five runs off the final delivery Dhoni faced.

CSK could only muster 172/6 in their attempt to chase down Rajasthan Royals' 175/8 in 20 overs, losing by a slim margin.

Thus, after tying with Lucknow Super Giants with six points each, Rajasthan Royals notched their third victory in four games and moved up to the top spot on higher net run rate.

After recovering from losing an early wicket to reach 78/1 in the 10th over, Chennai Super Kings' pursuit was impeded by the brilliant bowling of Rajasthan Royals spinners Ashwin (2-25) and Chahal (2-27) off their respective four overs.

The innings had been rebuilt by opener Devon Conway and veteran Ajinkya Rahane (31), who had hit Adam Zampa for two boundaries in the fifth over. However, things took a turn for the worst for CSK on their home pitch when Rahane was caught in front by Ashwin, giving Rajasthan Royals the crucial breakthrough.

As Chennai Super Kings fell to 103/5, Ashwin also dismissed Shivam Dube (8 off 9), Adam Zampa dismissed the dangerous Moeen Ali (7 off 10), and Chahal returned Ambati Rayudu (1). After Chahal took the important wicket of Devon Conway (50), Chennai Super Kings appeared to be in trouble.

But MS Dhoni, the captain, and Ravindra Jadeja delivered some significant blows to get CSK to the point where 40 runs were needed off the final two overs. In the 19th over, Dhoni and Jadeja hit Jason Holder for two sixes and a four, scoring 19 runs.

When Chennai needed seven runs from three deliveries and CSK needed 21 runs off the final over, Sandeep Sharma began by hitting a few wide balls. Then, MS Dhoni hit two sixes off the following two deliveries off two low full-tosses. Jadeja and Dhoni lost by three runs and could only muster singles off the final three deliveries.

Beforehand, Padikkal and Buttler both attacked the bowling, with Padikkal hammering Maheesh Theekshana for two back-to-back fours in the third over. They then battered the Sri Lankan for 17 runs in the fifth over, with Padikkal hitting a gorgeous driving boundary and Buttler hitting him for six and four. Padikkal also hit Tushar Deshpande for back-to-back fours in the sixth over, and Buttler hit Moeen Ali for back-to-back sixes in the eighth over while playing for England.