Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
After playing a vital role in Rajasthan Royal's victory over the mighty Chennai Super Kings at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal revealed that he took a signature of CSK skipper MS Dhoni on his bat after the match. Jaiswal led Rajasthan Royals’ chase of 190 in the second innings and smashed the ball all around the park in his blistering knock of 50 off 21.
After the youngster provided a dream start to the Royals, all-rounder batsman Shivam Dube, who scored a wonderful 64* off 42, joined the party and ensured that the Sanju Samson-led side crossed the line with 7 wickets remaining and 15 balls to spare. After the match, Jaiswal and Dube opened up on their performances in a video anchored by RR player Anuj Rawat.
I was looking to capitalise on loose balls: Jaiswal
When asked about his intentions going out in the middle to chase a huge target of 190, Jaiswal said that he knew the wicket must be good to bat on and he wanted to capitalise on loose balls. “I was thinking about looking at the wicket first, but we were chasing 190, I knew the wicket must be good. I was just looking at capitalising on the loose balls and giving my team a good start so that we are able to chase 190,” Jaiswal told Anuj Rawat and Shivam Dube in a video shared on iplt20.com
He further added that he got a signature of former Indian and current CSK skipper MS Dhoni on his bat. “I took signature of Mahi sir (MS Dhoni) on my bat after the match, I am really happy," Jaiswal added.
Shivam Dube, who finished a must win game for Rajasthan Royals on Saturday also answered to Rawat’s query of his intentions when going out in the middle after a strong start was provided by Jaiswal. “When I went out there to bat, we were at top and I was just focusing on playing my natural game so that we are able to chase down the total quickly," Dube said.
Muddle in the middle of the points table in IPL 2021
After Rajasthan Royals won their 5th match of the season and Mumbai Indians lost their 7th game of the season against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, the middle section of the points table is again in a muddle. Four teams namely, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians are in the middle of the points table with 5 wins in 12 matches each. CSK and DC have qualified and it looks Royal Challengers Bangalore are likely to do the same, while there is likely to be a fight for one spot in between the four teams.
On October 3, Sunday, Kohli-led RCB will take on KL Rahul-led PBKS and it is be a must win game for the latter in order to stay in hunt for the playoffs. While RCB will want to seal the contest and assure their playoff spot. In the other double header on Sunday, Eoin Morgan-led KKR will square off against Kane Williamson-led SRH, where it will be a must win game for the former, while the latter are out of the playoffs race.