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Steve Smith and the Rajasthan Royals have slipped to heartbreaking last-ball IPL defeat to the Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur.

A final-ball six from New Zealand's Mitch Santner has sealed a stunning four-wicket IPL victory for the Chennai Super Kings over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

Requiring 18 from the last over and with master finisher MS Dhoni still at the crease on Thursday, Ben Stokes was slogged for a six from the first ball by Ravindra Jadeja and then delivered a no ball to gift the Super Kings a free hit.

But two balls later the England all-rounder responded brilliantly with an inswinging yorker that pierced Dhoni's defences to hand the Royals the initiative.

However, more drama followed when Stokes was adjudged to have delivered another no ball by Indian umpire Ulhas Gandhe only to be overruled by his Australian counterpart Bruce Oxenford at square leg.

The confusion brought Dhoni out to the middle to protest the decision as chaos descended upon the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

But just as Rajasthan looked to be in the box seat for a much-needed victory over the league leaders, Stokes sent down a wide from the final ball of the game.

Stokes was convinced he'd sent down a dot delivery, but with three now needed to win the match the bespectacled Santner cleared the rope with a huge shot over the head of the bowler to seal an unlikely win.

Former Australia skipper Steve Smith made a scratchy 15 from 22 balls as the Royals scored a respectable 7-151, which looked to be a winning total when the visitors were reduced to 4-24.

The exit of Kedar Jadhav (1) to a stunning flying catch from Stokes, brought Dhoni (58) to the crease and he and Ambati Rayudu (57) steadied the ship and put on 93 for the fifth wicket.

Defeat for the star-studded Royals side leaves them second-last on the table and facing an uphill battle to make the finals.

The victory opened up a four-point lead at the top for the Super Kings who next face Chris Lynn's Kolkota Knight Riders on Sunday.