New Delhi: After a long time, Chennai Super Kings looked like the champion side that they are in the Indian Premier League. When it spins, MS Dhoni and his men are hard to beat. And CSK rode on a fine middle-overs spin-bowling display from Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja to comfortably defend 188 against Rajasthan Royals and jump to the 2nd spot on the IPL 2021 points table on Monday.

Moeen Ali (3/7) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/28) spun a web around the Rajasthan Royals batsmen on a surprisingly dry day at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Royals lost 5 wickets, including that of Jos Buttler (49), David Miller (2), and Chris Morris (0), for just 8 runs in the middle-overs, much to the delight of MS Dhoni who was constantly reminding his spinners that they would be able to get some purchase because of the apparent lack of dew on Monday evening.

IPL 2021, CSK vs RR: Highlights

The pitch and the outfield during RR's chase helped raise a few eyebrows as Punjab Kings had struggled with dew against Delhi Capitals on Sunday evening. However, Ali and Jadeja relished bowling in Mumbai as they got a lot of purchase from the pitch.

Rajasthan Royals were restricted to 143 for 9 in 20 overs as Chennai Super Kings gained a lot of confidence from their back-to-back wins away from home after the horror run in the UAE last year. CSK lost their season opener to Delhi Capitals but they have bounced back with wins over Punjab Kings and RR.

Rajasthan Royals began their chase well, taking the attack to Deepak Chahar but Sam Curran got the big wicket of Sanju Samson (!) in the powerplay after striking early to remove Manan Vohra. Buttler kept attacking, but he was undone by a Jadeja delivery that pitched in middle and leg and crashed into the middle stump.

Ali and Jadeja then ran through the middle-overs picking up 5 wickets in a 4-over period that sealed the deal for Chennai. Rajasthan had Rahul Tewatia (15-ball 20) and Jaydev Unadkat (17-ball 24) in the middle after the implosion but it looked like the two were playing only to make sure their Net Run Rate didn't take a big beating.

Late cameos lift Chennai to 188 after Dhoni disappoints

Earlier in the evening, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson won the toss and asked Chennai Super Kings to bat. Faf du Plessis got off to a quick start even as Ruturaj Gaekwad struggled at the other end. du Plessis was on fire for the Super Kings and he was looking dangerous when he was dismissed by fellow South African Chris Morris for a 17-ball 33. Moeen Ali, in at No.3, scored 26 off 20 but Suresh Raina managed only 18 off 15 balls. Ambati Rayudu was rapid at No.5 and blazed away to 27 off 17 balls. However, Ravindra Jadeja (8 off 7) and MS Dhoni (18 off 17) did not really take off even as CSK hoped for some late-order assault to finish on a high after a good start. It was thanks to a Dwayne Bravo cameo (20 not out off 8 balls) that Chennai Super Kings finished with 188 for 9. Curran chipped in with a 6-ball 13 after coming into bat at No. 8.

Chennai Super Kings did not make the most of their power-packed batting unit but the two spinners weaved magic on a surprising Wankhede pitch to deliver the big win.