The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have once again managed registered their third consecutive win at home and they almost pulled off a win out of nowhere against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). The visitors were looking to go over the line during the partnership between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. However, the plans to take on the opponent bowlers in the last three overs didn’t come off and KXIP lost the game by 22 runs which is a big margin in the T20s.
Chasing a total of 161 runs, the KXIP got off to a rough start owing to Harbhajan Singh. He got the crucial wickets of Chris Gayle and then Mayank Agarwal in his very first over to leave KXIP reeling at 7/2. But then, Rahul and Sarfaraz played patiently to stitch 110 runs for the third wicket. However, they were extremely slow and Dhoni’s ploy of keeping spinner for the last few overs worked out perfectly.
The pitch turned a fair bit and it worked in CSK’s favor and the death overs assault never came for the KXIP. Their strange approach ended up the team losing the chance of topping the points table as the CSK registered their fourth win of the season.
WATCH – Harbhajan Singh Takes Two Wickets In His First Over
Earlier in the day, Faf du Plessis slammed a fifty in his first game of the season. Shane Watson looked good but Ravi Ashwin got his wicket. Suresh Raina never looking in good touch and scraped his way to 17 off 20 balls. Just when things were looking good for the host, Ashwin drew some blood as he dismissed Raina and Faf du Plessis off successive deliveries.
At 100/3, it took a bit of time for Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni to get going. But he recovered brilliantly, in the end, as Dhoni brought his finishing skills to the fore. CSK added 44 runs off the last three overs to end up on 160 runs for the loss of three wickets after 20 overs. Dhoni remained unbeaten again and scored 37 off just 23 deliveries.
WATCH –Â Faf du Plessis Shows Sportsman Spirit As Curran Gets Injured
Rayudu also played his part by amassing 21 runs off 15 balls. For the KXIP, they had lost the momentum sensationally with only their skipper Ravi Ashwin picking all the wickets. The score, however, was enough as the strange approach from the visiting batters who fell short of the game by 20 runs eventually.
Brief Score:
Chennai Super Kings – 160/3 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis: 54, MS Dhoni: 37*; R Ashwin: 3/23) defeated Kings XI Punjab – 138/5 in 20 overs (S Khan: 67, H Singh: 2/17, S Kuggelijn: 2/37) by 22 runs
Here’s how Twitter reacted after CSK’s win:
Phenomenol 19th over from Deepak Chahar after the first 2 nightmarish deliveries #CSKvKXIP
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) April 6, 2019
Well Played, Sarfraz. He’s been a bit of a revelation this #IPL. If these two can keep the remaining two overs of spin out, they win the game tonight. Thriller time. #Tahir #Bhajji #CSKvKXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 6, 2019
Sharm kro R Ashwin
kL rahul aur sarfraz tu dono ekdm ghatiya khele..#CSKvKXIP— Shivraj Paswan (@Shiva_Paswan7) April 6, 2019
No One Will Troll KL Rahul And Sarfaraz For Their Amazing Knock 😂 #CSKvKXIP
— PBN (@hanjiokay) April 6, 2019
Two minutes silence for those who say that KL Rahul is match winner batsman.. #CSKvKXIP #IPL2019 @klrahul11 @lionsdenkxip
— Sunny Dular (@SunnyDular1) April 6, 2019
Do feel Punjab would have hoped for Miller to go in a bit earlier than when he actually did. Remember there is no Andre Russell in this team!!!! #CSKvsKXIP
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 6, 2019
KL Rahul and Sarfaraz have ended up costing KXIP the game today. Inexplicable chase this by the @lionsdenkxip. #CSKvKXIP
— Yash (@SassyPiranha) April 6, 2019
KL Rahul and Sarfaraz could have attacked spinners more.#CSKvKXIP #VIVOIPL #IPL2019
— Abhishek Sharma (@AbhishekA1999) April 6, 2019
KL Rahul & Sarfraz both of them played too many singles during 13-17 overs cause the match.
— Rimas Razeek (@rimasafridi) April 6, 2019
Please Anyone Give Than Main of the Match KL Rahul & Sarfaraz.
What a player. Play Selfies. @lionsdenkxip #Ipl #Ipl2019 @IPL #AskStar
#CSKvKXIP— Swarup upadhyay (@ImSwarupUp) April 6, 2019
