IPL 2021 Match 15: Chennai Super Kings beat KKR in a high scoring thriller
Despite Andre Russell and Pat Cummins sensational knock,
Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in a high scoring thriller
played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and
decided to field first. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis provided a flying
start putting pressure on KKR bowlers right from the word go. Gaikwad who
failed in the three matches showed intent showed his class along experienced
Faf. At the end of the first six overs, CSK scored 54 for 0. With that, the
first timeout was called.
After the timeout, CSK openers continued their aggressive
intent putting KKR bowlers under immense pressure. Gaikwad reached his fifty
off 33 balls and kept the momentum along with Faf. Varun Chakravarthy struck
for KKR dismissing Gaikwad providing an easy catch to Pat Cummins at deep
midwicket to end a strong 115 runs opening partnership. At the end of the 2nd
timeout, CSK made 121 for 1.
Moeen Ali upped the ante putting KKR bowlers under
tremendous pressure. After being smacked for a boundary and six, Narine got the
wicket of Moeen stumped by Dinesh Karthik. Faf and Moeen added 50 runs for the
2nd wicket. MS Dhoni promoted himself at number 4 making an impact
by scoring a quickfire 17 off 8 balls with 2 fours and 1 six as Eoin Morgan
took a diving catch. MS Dhoni and Faf added 36 runs for the 3rd
wicket. Faf du Plessis was simply sensationally remaining not out on 95 off 60
balls while Jadeja hit a six off the last ball to help CSK post a massive total
of 220 for 3.
Chasing a massive total of 221 runs to win, KKR did not have
an ideal start as Shubman Gill was dismissed for a golden duck as he slashed
cut shot straight into the hands of the third man’s hand-off Chahar's bowling.
Deepak Chahar did the job for Chennai Super Kings getting wickets of Nitish
Rana, Eoin Morgan, and Sunil Narine to leave KKR in massive trouble at 31 for
4. Ngidi produced another beauty to get rid of Rahul Tripathi making life
miserable for Morgan’s team. Andre Russell produced some brilliant hitting. At
the end of the first six overs, KKR looked in deep trouble at 45 for 5.
Russell and Dinesh Karthik produced some brutal hitting
putting pressure on CSK bowlers. At the end of the first timeout, KKR scored 66
for 5. Russell took the attack and smashed Shardul Thakur 24 runs in his 1st
over of the spell. The explosive Russell completed his fifty off just 21 balls
to keep KKR hopes alive. Sam Curran was bought into the attack and castled
Russell’s stump. Russell was in simply sensational form hitting 6 sixes and 3
fours. Russell and Dinesh Karthik added 81 runs for the 6th wicket.
Dinesh Karthik upped the ante with great hitting putting
pressure on CSK bowlers. Ngidi was bought into the attack and got rid of KKR
captain Karthik. Cummins bought back smiles as he smacked 30 runs off Sam
Curran in 16th over. At the end of the second timeout, KKR made 176
for 7.
Soon after the timeout, Kamlesh Nagarkoti was not sensible
providing an easy catch to Faf du Plessis at long-on. Pat Cummins kept KKR in
the match with a fifty off just 23 balls. Varun Chakravarthy was run out as Cummins
wanted to take strike.
With 20 runs required off the final over, a superb throw and
collection by Shardul Thakur resulted in Prasidh Krishna’s run out to give CSK
18 runs win.
CSK 220 for 3 in 20 overs ( Faf du Plessis 95*, Gaikwad 64,
Varun Chakvarthy 1/27) beat KKR 202 in 19.1 overs ( Cummins 66*, Russell 54, Chahar
4/29, Ngidi 3/28) by 18 runs.
With this win, CSK moved up to the top of the points table. For his 95*, Faf du Plessis was awarded the man of the match.
Faf du Plessis awarded the man of the match for his 95*,
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