Shimron Hetmyer played a decisive role in the field as the Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to defeat the Chennai Super Kings by six runs in a pulsating IPL encounter on Sunday, snapping a two-game losing skid and reigniting their campaign.

While Hetmyer contributed 19 off 16 balls with the bat, it was his brilliant diving catch in the final over to dismiss MS Dhoni that proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match that went down to the wire at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Batting first, the Royals posted a competitive 182-9 in their 20 overs, riding on a blistering knock from Nitish Rana, who smashed 81 from just 36 deliveries, including 10 fours and five sixes. Coming in after the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal (4), Rana launched a brutal assault on the CSK bowling attack, finding the boundary at will and lifting Rajasthan’s run rate dramatically.

Sanju Samson (20 off 16) and Riyan Parag (37 off 28) offered useful support in the middle overs, but CSK’s bowlers managed to claw back in the latter stages. Matheesha Pathirana and Noor Ahmad picked up two wickets apiece, with Pathirana removing the dangerous Hetmyer in the 19th over. Rajasthan stumbled from 166-5 to 176-9 in a late collapse, adding only 16 runs in the final two overs.

In response, CSK’s chase got off to a rocky start with Rachin Ravindra dismissed for a duck in the first over by Jofra Archer. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad held the innings together with a composed 63 off 44 balls, supported by cameos from Shivam Dube (18) and Vijay Shankar (9). But it was Wanindu Hasaranga who turned the tide for Rajasthan, spinning his way to 4-35, including the key wickets of Gaikwad, Dube, Tripathi, and Shankar.

-AP

Gaikwad smashed 64 from 44 balls

Despite being reduced to 129-5, CSK found hope in the experienced duo of Ravindra Jadeja, who struck an unbeaten 32 off 22 balls, and MS Dhoni, who entered with the finishing task at hand.

The match reached its climax in the final over with CSK requiring 20 runs to win. Dhoni, facing Sandeep Sharma, threatened to pull off another miracle. But on the first ball of the over, he mistimed a low full toss and Hetmyer, patrolling the deep mid-wicket boundary, sprinted to his left and completed a stunning forward-diving catch just inches off the turf to silence the yellow-clad supporters and seal the game.

CSK eventually finished on 176-6, falling short by six runs in a contest that remained on a knife's edge until the final over. For Rajasthan, the win was not just a return to form, but also a morale boost after back-to-back defeats.

Hetmyer’s contribution with the bat and his match-turning moment in the field proved vital as the Royals earned two crucial points to keep their playoff hopes alive.