CSK vs RR: Ravi Ashwin aborts delivery, Ajinkya Rahane withdraws shot; hits six a ball later

Rajasthan Royals' ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is renowned for his mind games on the pitch, and the veteran Indian all-rounder found his match in Chennai Super Kings' seasoned campaigner Ajinkya Rahane in a hotly-contested affair in front of a sold-out crowd in Chepauk.

Sanju Samson introduced Ravichandran Ashwin in the last over of the powerplay after a steady start by the home side. The veteran Indian offie, bowling his second delivery of the match, aborted his delivery at the very last moment, with Rahane already shimmying down the wicket. 

The Indian batting ace, who registered a sensational 19-ball half-century in the last match, returned the favour by pulling out at the very last moment against the wily spinner. It was the batter from Mumbai who won the battle of wits in that over after he smashed Ashwin for a beautifully crafted maximum in the covers region just a delivery later after all the drama.

Aditya Verma 🇮🇳@Adityaverma_12

Ashwin and rahane me kaleshh

09:57 PM · Apr 12, 2023

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Ashwin has the last laugh against Rahane

The Mumbai-borne batter was looking in ominous touch, milking boundaries for fun again the RR bowlers. However, it was Ashwin who had the last laugh against the diminutive batter as the offie trapped the CSK batter plumb in front of the wicket to land a hammer blow to the home side's chances. 

Rahane's departure brought the momentum back in the favour of the Men in Pink as the duo of Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal started piling the pressure on the CSK middle order. Ashwin all set up the dangerous-looking Shivam Dube with a smart piece of bowling, finishing with imperious bowling figures of 2/25 in his four overs. He was awarded the player of the match award for his all-round heroics as he had chipped in with a handy cameo with the bat as well.