'So near yet so far' - Fans upset as Chennai Super Kings lose against Rajasthan Royals despite MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja's excellence

Chennai Super Kings hosted Rajasthan Royals in the 18th match of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the MA Chinaswamy Stadium. While there were many runs scored in the game, batters from both teams batted slowly.

Winning the toss, CSK went with the obvious choice to bowl first at their home ground. They got their first breakthrough early on as Yashasvi Jaiswal lost his wicket to Tushar Deshpande in the 2nd over of the game.

After that, however, it was Devdutt Padikkal, who gave Jos Buttler the perfect support. They combined 77 runs for the second wicket as the former took charge of the attack. Buttler continued his solid innings after Padikkal's wicket (38 runs in 26 balls), while Ravichandran Ashwin, who was moved up the order, stepped in and played a brief cameo of 30 runs in 22 balls.

The opening batter was dismissed shortly after completing his half-century for a team score of 142. Buttler scored 52 runs in 36 balls, which included a boundary and three sixes. In the end, while a few wickets fell on one end, Shimron Hetmyer, with his unbeaten 30 runs in 18 balls, powered his team to a score of 175/8. Akash Singh, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravindra Jadeja each took one wicket for CSK, while Moeen Ali grabbed one.

The Yellow Army did not get off to a good start in the chase, either, as the in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed cheaply. While Ajinkya Rahane and Devon Conway put on a 68-run partnership, CSK could not get the momentum they needed.

MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja electrify the chase

Conway (50 runs in 38 balls) completed his half-century, but a slew of wickets hampered CSK's innings. They lost their 6th wicket in the 15th over for a team score of 118 runs. With 58 runs needed in 5 overs, MS Dhoni, playing his 200th game as CSK skipper, and Jadeja were in charge of the chase.

The two veterans appeared to be in excellent form to lead the team through and deal in massive sixes. The fans were especially ecstatic to see "Thala," as Dhoni is affectionately known. The game came down to 21 runs required in the last over, and consecutive wides did not help Rajasthan.

MS Dhoni, as calm as he always is, hit back-to-back sixes and put his team right in control. In the end, however, Sandeep Sharma held his nerves to nail the last three balls for yorkers and concede just three runs. Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious by three runs in a nail-biting thriller against Chennai Super Kings.

Here is how Fans reacted to Rajasthan Royals' win

Put that pen down, man! People have heart problems.#CSKvsRR #IPL23 #Thala 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XaIzOWYt92

— Pranit (@PSavgave) April 12, 2023

IPL script writer choosing the best
Ever script for every match of IPL 2023#CSKvsRR #CSKvRR pic.twitter.com/qMw5G79WwG

— Hariom Thakkar (@hariom_0702) April 12, 2023

Thank you Sanju @IamSanjuSamson for beating Dhoni at CSK Home Ground.#CSKvsRR

— Biju Mathew (@BijuMathewMathe) April 12, 2023

Mumbai Indians after watching CSK losing a close match....#CSKvsRR #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/S0o2yfj14L

— mr.sumone (@KhambalLk) April 12, 2023

India still need a wicketkeeper who can bat low down. Just saying. #CSKvsRR

— Srinjoy Sanyal (@srinjoysanyal07) April 12, 2023

So near yet so far. For a brief while @msdhoni and @imjadeja turned the clock back. Issue is should they be batting this low in the order? #CSKvsRR

— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) April 12, 2023

😱Yet another thrilling ipl match in a row..RR won!!!
Csk tried till last ball👍👌#CSKvsRR #IPL23 #IPLUpdate

— Ponmari Wins (@MARIVEL752000) April 12, 2023

Phle took took krke match last over tk le jao
Or fr apni team ko hrvao 🤣#MSDhoni #CSKvsRR #tuktukacademy

— Ami KKR (@Ami_vipin) April 12, 2023

Ham Match Jeet Gaye

What a Match

Mahi on 🔥🔥

Sandeep Sharma 🆒

Royals Won the match#CSKvsRR #HallaBol

— Jaipur Pink Panthers Fan Club (@jaipur_panthers) April 12, 2023

Rajasthan Royals have defeated CSK by just 3 runs.

Take a bow, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja for taking CSK close.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 12, 2023