IPL 2020: KXIP vs CSK Review – Watson-Faf special decimates KXIP
Three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings finally got back to winning ways on Sunday night after a series of defeats in IPL 2020. They literally decimated the Kings XI Punjab to win by 10 wickets thanks to some brilliant display of batting from Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis. Punjab looked like headless chickens running around in search of a breakthrough for the most part.
The duo didn’t get out at all in 17.4 overs of the chase. Watson remained unbeaten 83, scoring his first fifty of the tournament. While Faf ended up with 87* – his third half-century this season. Both batsmen played some excellent shots which lit up the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and helped the Yellow Army chase 179 without much fuss.
Earlier, it was KL Rahul once again who stepped up for his team with a 52-ball 63. Even Mayank Agarwal and Nicholas Pooran batted well to keep the run-scoring going. However, they lost momentum in the 18th over and could add only 26 runs in the last three overs. And that turned out to be crucial with CSK taking the momentum at the halfway mark. Eventually, the result went their way as KXIP succumbed to their fourth loss in five matches.
Turning Points
Shardul Thakur’s double blow: 17 overs; 152/2. This was KXIP’s score and it seemed as if CSK were experiencing another dreaded night. But Shardul Thakur took the ball and sent back both set batsmen, Pooran and Rahul off successive deliveries. In hindsight, the double breakthrough proved to be crucial for CSK as KXIP couldn’t get the final push.
Top Performers
Records/Personal Milestones
- MS Dhoni completed 100 catches as a wicket-keeper in IPL
- 181* is the highest partnership for CSK for any wicket in IPL
Way Ahead
CSK will next face KKR on Wednesday while KL Rahul-led KXIP will lock horns against SRH on Thursday.
