Burger, Archer and Sooryavanshi crush CSK in Guwahati opener

In a nutshell

Chennai Super Kings' batting was shambolic. Rajasthan Royals' was prolific. CSK were bowled out for 127 in 19.4 overs. RR needed only 12.1 overs to get to 128. If CSK's effort was a no-show, RR's was a one-man show - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. A 15-ball fifty - the joint third-fastest in the IPL - shut the game in a flash, making an already below-par total look even more so. Such was Sooryavanshi's blitzkrieg that even the 53 runs Royals scored after the teenager's dismissal to get over the line, at a rate of over 9, felt rather slow by comparison.

The match in phases

Brief scores: CSK 127 in 19.4 overs [Jamie Overton 43 (36); Jofra Archer 2-19, Ravindra Jadeja 2-18, Nandre Burger 2-26] lost to RR 128/2 in 12.1 overs [Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 52 (17), Yashasvi Jaiswal 38 (36); Anshul Kamboj 2-27] by 8 wickets.

Who won RR the contest?

A collective bowling performance and Sooryavanshi.

How did the refurbished CSK top order perform?

That Sarfaraz Khan walked in as the Impact Player as early as the fourth over summed up CSK's dismal start. The T20 World Cup star and CSK's new headline signing, Sanju Samson, lasted only until the end of the second over, bowled while attempting to play across the line to Nandre Burger. Ruturaj Gaikwad was cleaned up by Jofra Archer, and Ayush Mhatre was caught behind trying to pull Burger, leaving CSK reeling at 19 for 3. Sarfaraz played a few attractive shots, but Matt Short's dismissal in the sixth over, off Sandeep Sharma, reduced CSK to 38 for 4.

What did RR's OG Rockstar do?

He pushed CSK further into trouble. Ravindra Jadeja, the former CSK all-rounder, was introduced in the eighth over just as CSK looked to rebuild. He ensured the recovery didn't last, trapping Sarfaraz in front. The renowned spin-hitter Shivam Dube struck a six in the same over, but Jadeja hit back, luring him into another big shot only for Dube to find long-off.

Contrasting debuts

Kartik Sharma, CSK's INR 14 crore signing, was thrown into the deep end on debut, tasked with halting the slide. He batted with with maturity, even striking a six off Ravi Bishnoi, but lacked support and eventually became the seventh to fall. It was Brijesh Sharma, the J&K pacer and RR's base-price buy, who enjoyed a productive start, picking up his maiden wicket by trapping Kartik in front and finished with 1 for 17 in three overs. Kartik later put down a tough chance to deny Matt Henry the wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the first over of the chase.

Who was CSK's top run-getter?

Jamie Overton. Walking in at No. 8 with CSK tottering at 57 for 6 after eight overs, he found himself in a rescue act from the outset. Wickets continued to tumble at the other end, but Overton showed composure, batting through most of the remaining overs to drag CSK past 120. He was eventually run out in the final over, bringing an end to both his effort and CSK's shambolic batting display.

What about RR's batting?

It was all about the fearlessness of Sooryavanshi. Be it slamming Henry over deep midwicket for a six, a slash off the same bowler for another maximum, or treating Anshul Kamboj with disdain, Sooryavanshi once again underlined why he belongs at this level despite turning 15 only three days back. The second season is often the real test for a young player, but - early days as it may be - Sooryavanshi didn't seem burdened by that weight. His wagon wheel in this game, which resembled an hourglass - midwicket to long on on one side, and fine leg to point on the other - showcased the positions he got into, to toy with the CSK bowlers.

What next for the teams?

CSK head to Chennai for their first home game of the season - on April 3 against Punjab Kings. Royals will travel to Ahmedabad to face Gujarat Titans on April 4.