Ashwin's all-round show hands Rajasthan a top-two finish

Ravichandran Ashwin's recent T20 resurgence has continued, the allrounder impressing with bat and ball in Rajasthan's final match of the regular season to secure the Royals a double chance in the Indian Premier League play-offs.

Ashwin took the key wicket of Chennai's Devon Conway and finished with figures of 1-28 from his four overs as the Super Kings wasted a brisk start to finish with 6-150 from their 20 overs.

More than 60 per cent of Chennai's runs came from the bat of Moeen Ali, who slammed 93 from 57 balls but received precious little support from the other Super Kings batters.

While Jos Buttler's recent run of outs continued for Rajasthan in the chase, dismissed for just two, Yashasvi Jaiswal led the response with a composed innings of 59 before Ashwin was promoted to No.5 in the order and tasked with finishing the job.

Despite the required run rate moving past 10 runs an over, the 35-year-old obliged, hitting three sixes in a brisk 23-ball innings of 40 not out as the Royals won with two balls to spare.

The result lifted Rajasthan about the Lucknow Super Giants and into second spot on the ladder, meaning they'll face first-placed Gujarat for a place in the tournament decider.

Even if Rajasthan lose there, they will get a second chance in the qualifying final, which will be against either Lucknow or one of the Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

RCB currently hold fourth spot, but Delhi can knock them out of the finals if they beat Mumbai on Saturday.

The 2022 Indian Premier League will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and live streamed on Kayo

Australians in IPL 2022

Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner

Gujarat Titans: Matthew Wade

Kolkata Knight Riders: Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch

Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

Mumbai Indians: Tim David, Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith

Punjab Kings: Nathan Ellis

Rajasthan Royals: Nathan Coulter-Nile

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Jason Behrendorff

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sean Abbott