Kane Williamson Praises Nitish Rana's 'Incredible' Knock and Rajasthan Royals' Fielding
Guwahati, India – March 31, 2025 – Rajasthan Royals secured a six-run victory over Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling encounter, with Nitish Rana’s blistering innings and the team’s exceptional fielding drawing high praise from New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson.
Nitish Rana's Match-Winning Performance
Nitish Rana emerged as the star of the match, smashing an astonishing 81 runs from just 36 balls. Coming in at number three, his aggressive batting laid the foundation for Rajasthan Royals’ total of 182 for nine. Williamson, a former player for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, lauded Rana's performance, describing it as “an incredible knock of the highest standard.”
He elaborated on Rana's technique, noting, “Nitish is an excellent player of spin, but he got his innings started against the seam, using the pace well. He accessed the areas behind square nicely, and perhaps came in at No. 8 due to the left-hand, right-hand combination.”
Rajasthan Royals’ Fielding Stands Out
Beyond Rana’s batting prowess, Williamson also credited Rajasthan Royals’ fielding as a crucial factor in their win. The team displayed remarkable agility and precision, with standout moments including stand-in skipper Riyan Parag’s breathtaking one-handed catch to dismiss Shivam Dube.
Williamson emphasized, “In a game like this—on a surface where the margins are so fine—I believe Rajasthan Royals’ fielding is what truly got them across the line.”
Chennai Super Kings’ Fight and Dhoni's Aura
Despite the defeat, Chennai Super Kings showed resilience, with MS Dhoni leading the charge towards the end. Needing 39 runs off the last 12 balls, Dhoni, cheered on by a crowd predominantly clad in yellow, managed a boundary and a six. However, the task proved too challenging.
Williamson reflected on Dhoni’s presence and the atmosphere surrounding the match, “The fact that Chennai Super Kings were playing an away match, yet the entire crowd was dressed in yellow, was just incredible. We’ve seen this so many times before.”
He further added, “I felt like it was written in the stars for MS to come in and smash 20 runs in an over to finish things off—he’s done it so often. But it was a tough ask, needing 40 off the last two overs. Still, it was special to see him walk out. I can only imagine how intimidating it must be for any opposition trying to defend a total when he’s at the crease.”
Key Highlights of the Match:
- Nitish Rana’s Explosive Innings: 81 runs from 36 balls.
- Riyan Parag's One-Handed Catch: A crucial dismissal of Shivam Dube.
- MS Dhoni's Late Charge: A valiant effort to close the gap.
- Electric Crowd Atmosphere: A predominantly yellow-clad Chennai Super Kings fan base.