• Brevis’ efforts not enough for CSK

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    The Chennai Super Kings suffered a six-wicket defeat to the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday to stay bottom of the IPL log.

    Chennai recovered to reach 187-8 after they slipped to 78-5 inside eight overs, batting first on a hot and humid evening in the Indian capital.

    Teenage opener Ayush Mhatre lifted the team after two early wickets with his 20-ball 43 before his dismissal triggered a mini-collapse.

    The 17-year-old Mhatre, who has impressed in his debut year with a top score of 94, hit eight fours and one six before falling to medium-pace bowler Tushar Deshpande.

    Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took down Ashwin and seam bowler Yudhvir Singh struck for the third time to send back Ravindra Jadeja as Rajasthan lost half their side in 7.4 overs.

    South African Dewald Brevis made 42 off 25 balls and rebuilt the innings in a 59-run stand with Shivam Dube (39).

    Rajasthan’s bowlers pulled things back in the end as they gave away just 17 runs from the last three overs.

    In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed with 36 off 19 balls in a brisk opening stand of 37 with teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose 57 off 33 balls was laced with four fours and fours sixes.

    Chennai had their chances, including when veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck in the space of five balls to send back captain Sanju Samson (41) and Suryavanshi.

    Dhruv Jurel (31* off 12 balls) soon eased the pressure with boundaries in the next over and despite the loss of another wicket in Riyan Parag, Rajasthan raced to victory.

    Both the teams had already bowed out of the playoff race but Rajasthan stay above bottom-placed Chennai in the 10-team table with four wins in 14 matches.

    Five-time champions Chennai, led by 43-year-old MS Dhoni, have one more match to go in the league phase.

    Leaders the Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have qualified for the playoffs.

    Five-time winners the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals are competing for the final playoff spot.

    The IPL resumed last Saturday after being paused due to a deadly conflict between India and Pakistan, forcing a revised schedule with the final now on 3 June in Ahmedabad.

    © Agence France-Presse

    Photo: Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images

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    Simon Borchardt