Chennai Super Kings (CSK) managed to pull off their third successive win on Wednesday as they outclassed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 18 runs in a nail-biting encounter as Faf du Plessis became the man-of-the-match. Defending a mammoth score of 220, the Super Kings’s bowlers came out all guns blazing as they bowled out KKR for 202 in 20 overs and hand the two-time champions their third defeat in a row.
Deepak Chahar was at his ferocious best with the ball for CSK, he bowled a brilliant spell of 4 for 29 from his 4 overs while Lungi Ngidi, playing his first match of the season came as a replacement of Dwayne Bravo, managed to scalp 3 wickets to round off an all-round performance by MS Dhoni’s team. Chahar and Ngidi’s opening spells reduced KKR to 31 for 5 in the powerplay after which Dinesh Karthik and Andre Russell decided to let loose.
WATCH – Andre Russell’s Worst Leave To Get Dismissed By Sam Curran
Karthik and Russell made a solid partnership of 81 off 39 balls for the 6th-wicket to reignite the team’s hopes. Russell departed in a funny matter after smashing 54 off 22 balls with 6 sixes and 3 fours as he was dismissed by Sam Curran. Karthik then took charge of the chase with Pat Cummins as they managed to add 34 for the 7th-wicket but the target was just too big for them to chase down.
Karthik was eventually dismissed in the 15th over when he was trapped plumb in from by Ngidi on 40 (24 balls). However, Cummins then batter like he had nothing to lose as he smashed 30 off the 16th over, bowled by Sam Curran to keep KKR’s hopes alive. But Cummins eventually ran out of partners and ended up with a valiant unbeaten knock of 34-ball 66.
Pat Cummins smashed 6 sixes and 4 fours to nearly help KKR pull off the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history but it wasn’t to be on the night. Earlier in the game, CSK managed to post the second-highest total of this season as they reached the tally of 220 for 3 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first by the KKR skipper, Eoin Morgan.
WATCH – Ravindra Jadeja Laughed At Nitish Rana For Spilling A Catch For A Six
The three-time champions got a dream start from their openers, Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who added 115 runs before the latter got out for 64. Du Plessis then took a back seat for a while as Moeen Ali (25) and MS Dhoni (17) played small cameos before launching an all-out attack in the lost three overs as he ended up scoring 95 not out off 60 balls. The former South African skipper’s knock was laced with 9 fours and 4 sixes at the Wankhede Stadium.
Here is how Twiteratto reacted to CSK’s win:
Phew!! Edge of the seat finish not just for the ones watching at home but even for us in the commentary box 🎙️ Loved calling it. @IPL at its very BEST #KKRvCSK #IPL2021
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 21, 2021
vs DC ✅
vs PBKS ✅
vs RCB ✅
vs RR ✅
vs KKR ✅CSK became 1st team to Win atleast 15 matches against 5 Different Opponents#CSKvKKR
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) April 21, 2021
Cummins to the last few KKR batsman #CSKvsKKR pic.twitter.com/5puR9zJs7w
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 21, 2021
Curious as to why there were so few attempted yorkers tonight, as hard as tit is to bowl it? CSK vs KKR.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) April 21, 2021
The @ChennaiIPL swagger is back …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 21, 2021
What a spell my brother @deepak_chahar9 🙌🏻 So proud and happy for you. Totally on fire 🔥#CSKvsKKR
— Rahul Chahar (@rdchahar1) April 21, 2021
Andre Russell is a joke. #IPL
— Tom Banton (@TBanton18) April 21, 2021
Don’t switch off your tv untill Russel is there @Russell12A
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 21, 2021
#Dhoni's CSK are back at the 🔝! When mighty efforts by Russell and Cummins wasn't enough for win, you know CSK played like old CSK.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/DanishSait/status/1384926910132670473?s=20
heck of a night for cummins
ER of 14.50
SR of 194#CSKvsKKR #IPL2021— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 21, 2021
What a game we witnessed at Wankhede. CSK defeats KKR by 18 runs, unbelievable 2nd innings from KKR. After being 31/5 they reached 201. One of the best game you'll ever see, high quality cricket from both the teams. Pat and Russell the fighters for KKR, both played outstandingly.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 21, 2021
