IPL: Watson ensures Royals remain unbeaten on home turf

JAIPUR: It was desert storm at its best on Sunday. Shane Watson, helped along by Stuart Binny, smashed Chennai Super Kings bowling to pulps to take hosts Rajasthan Royals within a handshaking distance of a playoff spot. Only a mathematical equation can now keep the Royals out of the last-four stage. Chasing a modest 142, the Royals' innings stuttered initially before Watson took charge. He scored a cracking 70 off 34 balls, which included six sixes and an equal number of boundaries as the Royals achieved the target on the first ball of the 18th over. That would sound amazing if you consider the fact that they reached their 50 only in the 11th over. Binny remained unbeaten on 41 off 23 balls. The blizzard hit the Super Kings from the 11th over onwards after the Royals had already lost four of their wickets without even 50 on board. Rahul Dravid and Watson had scripted a slow but effective recovery, following a collapse early on when the Royals were reduced to 19 for three. Lanky Super Kings pacer Jason Holder had done the initial damage with is two strikes. The floodgates opened with the introduction of Ashwin, the first time spin had been put into use in this match. Ashwin conceded 23 runs, which included three sixes. Incidentally, the first six of the match was hit in this over. There was no looking back as what happened after that was sheer murder. Dwayne Bravo went for 22 in one over and others did not fare too better. Fort SMS had remained intact as the Royals finished their home engagements with a 100 per cent record.   Source: TOI   Source: TOI