Journey of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021
After finishing a disappointing 7th in last year’s
IPL, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings performed brilliantly at halfway stage
of IPL 2021. Thanks to few good signings like Moeen Ali and others, they
created a major impact.
Chennai Super Kings started their 2021 journey with a loss
against Delhi Capitals played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 10th
April. After being asked to bat first by Pant, CSK lost 2 early wickets of Faf
du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Suresh Raina and Moeen Ali showed some intent
putting on 53 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Suresh Raina looked good with a well-made 54 before being run
out in a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja. Sam Curran’s 34 off 15 balls helped CSK
post 188 for 7. Despite this good total, CSK bowlers could not control the run
flow as Shaw and Dhawan put on 138 runs for the opening wicket. CSK lost the match
by 7 wickets with 8 balls to spare.
CSK captain MS Dhoni won the toss and invited Punjab Kings
into bat in the next match played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 16th
April 2021. Deepak Chahar ripped Punjab King's top order getting rid of Mayank
Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, and Nicholas Pooran to finish with figures
of 4 for 13 in 4 overs. The other bowlers complimented to restrict Punjab Kings
for 106 in allocated 20 overs.
Chasing down 107 runs to win, thanks to a 66 runs
partnership between Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis, Chennai Super Kings won the
match easily by 6 wickets. For his 4 for 13 in 4 overs, Deepak Chahar was named
the man of the match award.
CSK showed their domination as they cruise to a comfortable
win over Rajasthan Royals in their third match of the season. After being
invited into bat, it was an all-round contribution by CSK batsmen with Faf du
Plessis being the top scorer with 33 off 17 balls, Moeen Ali 26 off 20 balls, Bravo
20 off 8 not out helped CSK post 188 for 9 in 20 overs.
A great bowling performance by Moeen Ali with 3 for 7,
Jadeja 2 for 28 and Sam Curran 2 for 24 helped CSK register a 45 runs win. For
his match-winning spell of 3 for 7 in 3 overs, Moeen Ali was named the man of
the match award.
Chennai Super Kings won a high scoring thriller against
Kolkata Knight Riders in their next match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 21st
April. After being invited into bat, Faf du Plessis and Gaikwad laid a strong
foundation putting on 115 runs for the opening wicket. Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni
contributed important runs helping CSK post 220.
Deepak Chahar wrecked the KKR top order reducing them to 31
for 5. Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik rescued the KKR innings adding 81 runs for
the 6th wicket. Sam Curran produced a superb delivery to get rid of
Russell.
Despite Pat Cummins's brilliance, CSK held their nerves to win
the match by 18 runs in the last over. For his unbeaten 95 off 60 balls, Faf du
Plessis was named man of the match award.
CSK continued their winning form registering an emphatic 69
runs win over RCB at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 25th April. Thanks to the steady 74 runs opening partnership between Gaikwad and du Plessis, Jadeja 37
runs in an over from Harshal Patel helped CSK post 191 for 4 in 20 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja was everywhere in the field picking 3 for 13
in 4 overs and produced a superb run-out. CSK restricted RCB to 122 for 9. For
his all-around efforts, Jadeja was awarded the man of the match.
It was another dominating display by CSK as they won their
next match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on 28th
April. Despite Warner’s 57 and Pandey 61 not out, SRH posted just 171 for 3 on
a good batting pitch.
Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis put on 129 runs for the opening wicket
making life easier for other batsmen. CSK won the match by 7 wickets with 9
balls to spare. For his 75 off 44 balls, Gaikwad was named the man of the
match.
Before the IPL was suspended, CSK lost to arch-rivals Mumbai
Indians in a high-scoring thriller played on 1st May. After being invited
into bat, CSK posted a massive total of 218 for 4 in 20 overs. Faf du Plessis
50 off 25 balls, Moeen Ali 58 off 36 balls and Rayudu’s 72 off 22 balls unbeaten
helped CSK post this massive total.
The things looked in control after the loss of 3 quick
wickets after Rohit and de Kock added 71 runs opening stand. Kieron Pollard
played one of the best innings remaining not out on 87 off 34 balls to guide
Mumbai Indians win by 4 wickets on the last ball. CSK finished the halfway stage
with 10 points in 2nd place.
Faf du Plessis finished as the leading run-getter for CSK in
this season so far with 320 runs from 7 matches ( 7 innings). He made 4
half-centuries and put on attacking partnership for the opening wicket with Gaikwad.
Sam Curran finished as the leading wicket-taker for CSK with
9 wickets from 7 matches ( 7 innings). He bowled with an economy of 6.14 runs
per over and grabbed best figures of 3 for 34.
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