Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was delighted after his all-round performance against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday. Ashwin, promoted to number five in the batting order, got off to a slow start.
Ashwin was 10 off 15 balls at one stage as he could not get going against his Indian spin partner, Ravindra Jadeja. Furthermore, he received two lives from Moeen Ali, who bungled his catch on the first ball and then also missed a run-out.
However, Ashwin was able to make up as he took Akash Singh for two sixes to improve his strike rate. The right-hander scored 30 runs from 22 balls with the help of one four and two maximums and added 47 runs with Jos Buttler.
On the other hand, Ashwin was right on the money with the ball. He first plumbed Ajinkya Rahane in front of the wickets and then also accounted for Shivam Dube. Ashwin returned with impressive figures of 2-25 in his quota of four overs and thus he was awarded the Player of the Match.
Ashwin said in the post-match presentation, “I surprise people I guess. Whenever I walk out to bat, people assume I just took that decision and came out, but that’s a role given to me, we lost Sanju and I had to do a job. I am far better at judging my strengths, I take a few balls to get going. Every batting innings, I am padded up from the start. It’s not an easy thing but it is good. I came off with good Test form. I feel I am able to get good grip and drop on the ball at the right lengths. If I was not able to do those things in the two years (with Punjab Kings) then I wouldn’t be able to do it here. Success or failure, it has to be on my own terms.”
Ashwin was at his best with both bat and ball as he made most of the known conditions at the Chepauk. On the other hand, Yuzvendra Chahal also returned with figures of 2-27 in his four overs as he got the wickets of Devon Conway and Ambati Rayudu.
Chahal said after the game, “The wicket was gripping, and I focused on varying my pace. I didn’t want to give them the pace. This is my second season with Ashwin and we have bowled well in partnership. Zampa has played for Australia and we keep discussing in the nets as to how to bowl. Sandeep backed himself and when Mahi bhai is batting, you need to have self-belief and Sandeep pulled it off and that is why runs were not scored. Close games always boost you up for the upcoming games.”
Rajasthan Royals will face defending champions Gujarat Titans on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
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