IPL 2020: CSK vs KKR Review – Gaikwad fifty, Jadeja cameo take CSK home
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are finally playing like they were earlier expected to, in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. But in the process, are definitely being party-spoilers for certain teams. Kolkata Knight Riders were at the receiving end of it this time.
After being invited to bat first, KKR started well thanks to Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana. The duo put up the first 50+ opening stand of KKR this season. Even after Gill got out, Rana continued playing his shots. The run-rate came down in the middle overs with the likes of Sunil Narine and Rinku Singh unable to up the ante. Even Eoin Morgan struggled to middle the ball and Rana’s 87-run knock was the only silver lining of the KKR innings. Once he got out, Dinesh Karthik came out to play an unbeaten 10-ball 21 and it helped KKR post a formidable total of 172 in 20 overs.
2nd successive fifty for Gaikwad
The chase wasn’t going to be easy for CSK as Shane Watson and Ruturaj Gaikwad walked out to bat. The former’s poor run continued as he got out to Varun Chakravarthy. But little did KKR know that Gaikwad would pick up from where he left in the previous game. He was joined by Ambati Rayudu and they took the attack to the opposition.
The 68-run stand kept CSK ahead right through only for Rayudu’s wicket to change things dramatically. MS Dhoni and Gaikwad also got out soon and the equation came down to 30 runs off 2 overs. However, Lockie Ferguson had his worst day on the field and Ravindra Jadeja finished the game in style to make things tough for KKR in terms of their playoff qualification.
Turning Points
Ruturaj Gaikwad shines: Before his maiden IPL fifty in the last game, Gaikwad had scores 0 5 and 0. But CSK persisted with him at the top and the youngster replied with his bat. Some crunching drives, those deft placements were brilliant to watch and his seamless knock certainly helped CSK in the steep chase. He scored 72 off 53 balls with six fours and two sixes to win the Man of the Match award.
Ferguson’s 19th over: Chakravarthy, Narine, Cummins and Ferguson bowled overs 15 to 18 and put extreme pressure on CSK. Ferguson was then expected to close the game in the penultimate over and he started well, conceding only 3 off the first 3 balls. With 27 needed off 9 balls, he went for a four and then bowled a waist-high full toss to let the momentum slip. Jadeja launched into him to bring it down 10 runs off the last over. This turned the game on its head.
Top performers
Records/Personal Milestones
- Sunil Narine played his 350th T20 match
- Ravindra Jadeja played his 250th T20 match
Way Ahead
The road gets tougher for KKR as they face Rajasthan Royals on Sunday evening in Dubai while CSK will end their campaign on the same afternoon against KXIP in Abu Dhabi.
