Sanju Samson and Steve Smith scored respective half centuries, as Rajasthan Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings by 16 runs,in their opening fixture of the Indian Premier League season at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
After being sent into bat by MS Dhoni, RR lost youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal in the third over to Deepak Chahar.
Sanju Samson and Steve Smith added 121 runs for the second wicket, before Samson was caught at deep cover by Chahar off Lungi Ngidi, and David Miller was run out without facing a delivery.
The likes of Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag and Rahul Tewatia failed to get going, as RR lost a bit of momentum in the final stages.
England pacer Jofra Archer added the finishing touches by smashing Ngidi for 30 runs in his final over, as Rajasthan Royals posted an imposing total of 216/7 at the end of 20 overs.
Chasing 217, Chennai Super Kings opening duo off Murali Vijay and Shane Watson made a solid beginning with the pair adding 56 runs for the first wicket before Watson was bowled by Rahul Tewatia for 33.
Five balls later Shreyas Gopal dismissed Vijay for 21, before Tewatia had Sam Curran and Ruturaj Gaikwad stumped in succession as Chennai were in a spot of bother at 77/4.
Kedar Jadhav along with Faf Du Plessis anchored the innings with a 37 run stand, before Jadhav fell to a brilliant one handed catch by wicket keeper Samson off Sam Curran.
Du Plessis led from the front by scoring a brisk 72, but failed to get his team past the finishing line, while skipper MS Dhoni displayed his power hitting by scoring 29 off 17.
Chennai Super Kings in the end fell short of the target by 16 runs.
Sanju Samson was declared the Man of the Match.