Sooryavanshi’s explosive 15-ball half-century leads Royals to easy win

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s blistering 15-ball half-century, along with strong bowling, led Rajasthan Royals to an eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL opener. Royals chased down 128 in 12.1 overs, with Sooryavanshi's explosive knock sealing victory

Guwahati: Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a 15-ball half-century after an impressive bowling display, guiding Rajasthan Royals to an emphatic eight-wicket win against a sluggish Chennai Super Kings in their IPL opener here on Monday.

Royals made good use of the overhead conditions to bowl out Chennai Super Kings for 127.

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It was a forgettable batting display for CSK, who were put in to bat by Riyan Parag on a pitch that had been under cover due to rain.

The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has made massive strides since his record hundred in last season’s IPL. His rare talent was on full display against a hapless CSK attack.

With Sooryavanshi going ballistic, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal was happy to give the strike back to the left-hander. Royals raced to victory in 12.1 overs.

The result was a foregone conclusion after Sooryavanshi enjoyed an 18-run over. He was dropped by Kartik Sharma in the same over and made CSK pay heavily for the error.

Some of his awe-inspiring strokes included a six over point off a slower ball from New Zealand pacer Matt Henry.

Sooryavanshi became the third fastest to an IPL fifty, hitting a couple of sixes off spinner Noor Ahmad.

After his dismissal, Jaiswal (38 not out off 36) and Riyan Parag (14 not out off 11) completed the formalities for Royals with plenty to spare.

While the Royals ticked all boxes, CSK looked completely out of sorts and will need to regroup.

Both CSK and Royals, the two bottom-placed teams last season, had traded star players Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson ahead of this season.

It was a successful return for Jadeja, who struck twice in his opening over.

Samson, star of India’s T20 World Cup triumph, could not fire on his CSK debut. Attempting to dispatch Nandre Burger over mid-wicket, his off-stump was dislodged by a sharp delivery that seamed away.

Both Nandre and Jofra Archer troubled the CSK batters in the powerplay.

After Nandre dismissed Samson, Archer sent back CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who mistimed an aerial stroke on the off-side.

Burger was on a hat-trick in the second over after a bouncer beat Ayush Mhatre and hit the gloves en route to the keeper.

Jadeja was introduced in the eighth over, trapping Sarfaraz Khan (17 off 12) in front and removing Shivam Dube (6 off 4) shortly after, leaving CSK struggling at 57-6 in eight overs.

CSK could not recover despite a useful 43 off 36 by Jamie Overton.

Royals’ medium pacer Brijesh Sharma dismissed Kartik Sharma on his debut. Archer, Burger, and Jadeja ended with two wickets each.