Premiership of India, Mumbai (Braben):
Chennai Super Kings 150-6 (20 points): Moen 93 (57)
Rajasthan Royals 151-5 (19.2 points): Jaswar 59 (44), Ashwin 40 * (23)
Rajasthan Royals wins by five wickets
Moeen Ali’s full display against Chennai Super Kings failed to deny Rajasthan Royals a five wicket victory in the Indian Premier League.
Moeen struck 93 at 150-6 Chennai before taking the ball to 1-21.
But Rajasthan hit the target with two balls as 40 Ravichandran Ashwin was out.
They will play against league champions Gujarat Titans in the play-offs, with the winner going straight to the final.
The losers of that match will have the opportunity to reach the final again as they meet the winners of the third and fourth place chances.
The Lucknow Super Giants will face Royal Challengers Bangalore or Delhi Capitals in that match.
Moeen, who is third, launched a massive attack on Rajasthan bowlers to hit 50 on just 19 balls. Of the seventh inning, 26 runs, six and five, batted by New Zealand Trent Boult.
Moeen, 34, struck out 13 fours and three sixes in his stunning shot.
But Chennai, last year’s IPL winner, lost momentum and their total looked below par.
The Rajasthan hunt reflected earlier battles in Chennai. His opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal took control of the Royals after Jos Buttler dropped just two goals. When he was out at 59, they lost their way with a mid-level fall.
But Ashwin, who earlier had his back from 1-28, managed to revive the Royals with two fours and a top three.
Chennai are ninth in the rankings and ahead of the game, their captain and former India captain MS Dhoni, 40, has confirmed that he will be at I PL next year.
