CSK vs RR, IPL 2023: Five most memorable matches between Chennai and Rajasthan

CSK vs RR: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match number 17 of the IPL 2023 on Wednesday, April 12. The MS Dhoni-led CSK have won two of their first three matches. Same is the case with Sanju Samson-led RR.

The two teams have clashed against each other 26 times. Chennai lead the head-to-head tally 15-11. Ahead of the clash between the two sides led by wicket-keeper batters, let's have a look at the top five memorable battles between them.

CSK vs RR: June 1, 2008

Batting first, Chennai posted 163/5 in 20 overs at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. Opener Parthiv Patel scored 38 runs off 33 balls, while Suresh Raina chipped in with 43 runs off 30 balls. MS Dhoni fired 29 unbeaten runs off 17 balls towards the end.

Later, CSK pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji was given the task of defending eight in the final over. Sohail Tanvir and Shane Warne took a single each of the first three balls Drama unfurled on the fourth delivery when Parthiv failed to collect a wide delivery from Balaji as the two RR batters ended up running a double.

Warne then took a single on the legitimate fourth delivery before Tanvir picked another double on the fifth ball. With one needed off the last delivery, Tanvir pulled a short delivery through wide mid-on and ran a single. Rajasthan players in the dugout came running to their captain and Tanvir to kick off an outrageous celebration.

RR vs CSK: April 21, 2012

Rahul Dravid-led Rajasthan Royals elected to bat first and posted 146 runs for the loss of four wickets on the board. Owais Shah scored 52 runs off 43 balls, while Ashok Menaria also chipped in with 36 off 34.

A brilliant bowling effort from Rajasthan left CSK in need of eight runs off the last over. The equation later boiled down to two off one. Calm and cool MS Dhoni guided the full toss by Stuart Binny towards deep square leg. But before the ball could be thrown back he completed the double to complete a thrilling last-ball win.

RR vs CSK: May 12, 2018

After electing to bat first at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, CSK posted 176/4 in 20 overs. Shane Watson (39 off 31), Suresh Raina (52 off 35), Dhoni (33* off 23) and Sam Billings (27 off 22) played their parts.

In reply, Jos Buttler put Rajasthan on the cusp of a win despite wickets falling at the other end. Ben Stokes (11), captain Ajinkya Rahane (4), Sanju Samson (21) also departed without major contributions.

With 12 needed of the final six balls, Buttler (95* off 60) had a task at hand alongside Jofra Archer. Dwayne Bravo gave away just four runs on the first three balls. On the fourth ball Buttler smashed a six and then ran a double to help his team win the match with four wickets and one ball remaining.

CSK vs RR: May 20, 2022

CSK won the toss and elected to bat first at the Brabourne Stadium. On the back of a 93 from Moeen Ali, Chennai posted a 151-run target for Rajasthan. In reply, RR were left reeling at 112/5 in 16.2 overs.

The onus was now on Ravichandran Ashwin and Riyan Parag - the last recognised batting pair for RR. The former did not disappoint and ended up scoring 40 unbeaten runs off just 23 balls. Ashwin's innings consisted of two fours and three sixes. Rajasthan won the match with two balls to spare.

CSK vs RR: April 23, 2014

Being asked to bat first at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, CSK were restricted to 140/6 after two wickets for 13 runs in four overs by Rajat Bhatia. Dwayne Smith and Ravindra Jadeja scored 50 and 36 runs respectively for Chennai.

Despite a decent batting unit featuring the likes of Samson, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Ajinkya Rahane and Stuart Binny, Rajasthan ended up losing the match by seven runs. 25 runs were required off the last delivery with CSK just a wicket away from a win.

Dhawal Kulkarni turned the heat by slamming two sixes and taking a double on the first four deliveries. The equation boiled down to 10 off two when Kulkarni got run out while trying to steal another double.