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Dravid hails 'exceptional' Rajasthan despite loss

They might have ended up on the losing side but Rajasthan Royals' captain Rahul Dravid feels his team was "exceptional" against the Chennai Super Kings given the conditions were not too ideal for the bowlers in their IPL match in Chennai on Monday.

- IPL PHOTOS: Chennai vs Rajasthan Royals, Match No. 30

"Throughout the innings, we executed our plans with the ball well. I thought it was a pretty good score to defend...it was not easy in terms of bowling conditions as the ball was getting wet and sweating," Dravid said after CSK chased down an imposing 186-run target to hand RR a five-wicket defeat.

"I thought the performance was exceptional today, and, particularly Jimmy Faulkner with the ball was superb show," he added referring to the bowler's effort of 3 for 20.

'Chennai batted well in the middle and towards the end'

Dravid said another big positive from the match was all-rounder Shane Watson's fiery 61-ball 101, which was laced with half a dozen sixes and an equal number of fours.

"When someone plays an innings like that, you actually try being on the winning side. Binny was also very good to us giving the impetus in the last overs. I thought 185 was a really good score," he said.

The affable veteran was also lavish in praise of the opposition.

"I think the credit should go to Super Kings as well. They batted well in the middle phase and they had some dangerous players towards the end," he said.