RR vs CSK, 61st Match at Chennai, IPL, May 12 2024 - Match Result

7:30pm That will be all from us for this game. A memorable day for the CSK fans who turned up at Chepauk, and they will feel their team now has a real shot of making the playoffs. The RR fans might be dejected, but they still have two games in hand, and need just a win to book their playoff berth. Both the Delhi Capitals and RCB, though, do not have that margin for error and are preparing to battle it out. Hop over to that game, where Ekanth will bring to you all the action. Until next time, this is goodbye from me (Shashwat), Sudeep and Vairavan. Take care, folks!

Simarjeet Singh, Player of the Match: (On how he is feeling) I am very thankful to the CSK management, the physio and my trainer to treat me the way they did when I was injured. It is a blessing. (On bowling in the middle overs) I think, after seeing the wicket, the captain decided, and we stuck to the plan. We saw how the pitch was behaving, and then I spoke to him (the captain) and decided what we wanted to do.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings captain: (On the cheers CSK got today) Wonderful feeling, especially in our last home game of the league stage. Good to get a win. (On how he looks at a game like this) When we were 55-1, I felt we were cruising. One or two wickets can allow the opposition to get back. As a team, we have stroke-players so my job was to stay there till the end. Generally, I thought we were cruising and there was no pressure until the end. (On the pitch) Definitely we would love to play on such wickets. It brings our spinners into play and with huge boundaries, there is an amount of risk to hit sixes. (On bowling into the pitch) That is always the plan whenever you come here. Sometimes, the wicket is flatter and we go to the yorkers. When the wicket is slow and you have a bigger side, you want to take the pace off.

CSK, by virtue of this victory, have become just the third IPL side to register 50 wins at a particular venue, after the Kolkata Knight Riders (Eden Gardens) and the Mumbai Indians (Wankhede Stadium)

Here's S Rajesh on CSK and their chances of qualifying for the playoffs: CSK's win takes them closer to a playoffs spot, but by no means are they certain of qualifying. If they lose to RCB and stay on 14, then four teams can still finish ahead of them on points: KKR, RR, SRH and one of DC or LSG.

If DC beat RCB later tonight, then they can reach 16 by beating LSG on Tuesday. If LSG beat DC, then they can reach 16 by beating MI on Friday.

For 14 points to be enough, CSK will have to hope that four teams don't get to 16, which means LSG and DC will have to lose at least one if SRH win one and go to 16. If SRH lose both, then as many as six teams could finish on 14, jostling for two spots.

Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals captain: (On what score they had in mind after the first few overs) I think after the powerplay, the message was the wicket was slow and two-paced. Bounce was also not as much as we expected. When I was batting in the middle, the score I was expecting was around 170. We were 20-25 runs short. We tried our best, they knew the conditions and they bowled smartly. Simarjeet bowled well today. We are not very sure what to expect in away games. Looking at the venue, we thought batting first might be better. I think when you have a score to chase, on these wickets, they had a better idea and a better hand in this. We expected it to be slower in the second innings but it was a touch better. When you play here in night games, it is a no-brainer (to chase) with all the dew coming in. The summer is getting hotter in India and as the wicket heats up, I was expecting it to slow down. They also batted really well. The way the game went to the 18th over, the wicket was tough to bat on. Very normal to keep thinking about the qualification at this stage. The conversations we are having is to control what we can do. At the team brief, I will probably ask them to continue the process and hoping to get on the better side next game.

Daryl Mitchell: Really nice to get over the line on a slower wicket. To restrict them to that total was awesome. We go again (now). The way we bowled in the powerplay, we built pressure and asked them to take risks. The spinners did a great job in the middle. Not sure what would have been a par score, but nice to restrict them (to that score). (On his plan to attack) I think it is working in partnerships. When I came in, I thought the new ball was the best time (to play our strokes). Rutu was there at the end and did an amazing job. Working with our partner, communicating with him, working out your match-ups - it is about constantly adapting. The noise at this ground makes it very special (to play here) and we are lucky.

7:05pm A CSK captain remaining unbeaten at the end of a tense run-chase. Chepauk going absolutely ballistic, and another playoff in sight. It all seems rather familiar, doesn't it? The major difference being that it was Gaikwad who batted through today, ensuring that there were no hiccups and that the job was finished off in professional fashion.

The cameos some of those around him produced cannot be understated either. Rachin blazed away in the powerplay. Mitchell did so during his vigil too, and the 14 runs Dube scored off Ashwin in one over, ultimately tilted the scales in CSK's favour. There was a moment of drama when Jadeja was dismissed obstructing the field, but Gaikwad and Rizvi's partnership meant it was a mere footnote.

The Royals did well to drag this game out into the 19th over. Their spinners were excellent, even if Ashwin's fourth-over went for two fours and a six. The problem, though, was that they just did not have enough runs to play with. Had they posted a score in excess of 160, they could have built more pressure, especially through the middle, and that is what they will ponder as they make their way back to Guwahati.

Just the five needed now. Can CSK finish it off this over? Boult to bowl

Velu: "This has been the most entertaining match of the tournament so far for me from a neutral point of view. Would have been more awesome if RR made some 20 runs." -- The ebbs and flows in this game have certainly made it a fascinating match to watch.

SachinVehale : "Is it 1st instance in IPL.. THE Jadeja one ?" -- The third such instance in the IPL

A massive roar goes up as the cameraperson shows Dhoni, with his helmet on, pacing inside the dressing room. CSK need 13 off 18. Burger returns

This could be a big innings for Rizvi. This, remember, is just his debut season. And he now has to take CSK past the finish line on a tricky surface. The equation is not steep. CSK need 21 off 24. Sandeep to bowl the 17th

Rizvi has come in as CSK's Impact Player, replacing Daryl Mitchell

Avesh back for his second. CSK need 26 off 30