It was a challenge too far even for Dhoni, as Rajasthan ran out winners by 16 runs in Sharjah.
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Kedar Jadhav was also back in the pavilion after a great catch from Rajasthan's Sanju Samson. Du Plessis continued to plug away but it was just a matter of time before the Royals won.
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The writing looked to be on the wall for Chennai when Watson, Sam Curran and Ruturaj Gaikwad were taken out by Rahul Tewatia, and Shreyas Gopal accounted for Murail Vijay.
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Murali and Watson kept plugging away, but while they kept a hold of their wickets, the run rate crept above more than two a ball after five overs.
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Shanw Watson and Murali Vijay began the Chennai chase and Jaydev Unadkat began in attack for Rajasthan.
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Archer took Lungi Ngidi to the cleaners in the final over, smashing six after six as the Royals took 30 runs from the last over, taking them to an ominous 216-7.
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Smith tried to hold firm but he was going through batting partners in rapid succession. Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag did not last long at the crease. Eventually the Royals skipper walked on 69 runs, with Rajasthan on a fairly healthy 178-7. Tom Curran and Jofra Archer took over in the middle.
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Things got more interesting as David Miller and Robin Uthappa were accounted for in quick succession and Rajasthan slumped to 150-4.
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Samson eventually fell for 74 in the 12th over but Smith powered to his fifty off 35 balls as Rajasthan made it to 134-3.
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Sanju Samson and skipper Smith soon settled the nerves and got the Rajasthan run rate back on track.
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Chahar was soon celebrating the wicket of Rajasthan's Yashasvi Jaiswal after he was caught and bowled in the third over.
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CSK won the toss and chose to field, with Deepak Chahar getting the ball rolling in Sharjah.
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Dhoni and his Rajasthan counterpart Steve Smith engaged in some friendly banter before the game got under way.
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Chennai Super Kings were up against Rajasthan Royals, who were making their bow in this year's event, taking part in the first came in Sharjah.
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MS Dhoni was his usual cool self ahead of Chennai's second match of the IPL 13 season.
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