NOT even a scintillating century from Shane Watson could save the Rajasthan Royals as the Chennai Super Kings squeezed past the Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in a gripping encounter at the Chidambaram Stadium.

The Royals won the toss and elected to bat and it looked the right decision with Watson in vintage destructive form, despatching the ball to all parts of the ground in scoring a superb 101 from just 60 balls.
Watson’s century was the first of this year’s IPL and put the Royals in the box seat with a total of 186 from their 20 overs.
It looked a demanding total but the Super Kings went about the run chase with vigour, their own Aussie opener Michael Hussey blazing a quick-fire 88 to put them on course for victory. Ably supported by Suresh Raina, 51, Hussey chipped away at the imposing target and though he was run-out towards the end of the innings, a big six from Dwayne Bravo off the third ball of Watson’s final over helped the Super Kings over the line with just two balls to spare.
The result means that the Super Kings go top of the table with five wins from their seven matches whilst the Royals drop to fourth, two points behind. (Eurosport)