Chennai Super Kings firmed their grip on the top of the Indian Premier League table after they cruised to a seven wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab at Mohali. Chasing a modest 131 to win, the Super Kings reached the target with 19 deliveries to spare. Faf du Plessis notched up his sixth IPL fifty while Suresh Raina played a solid unbeaten hand of 41.
Earlier, Kings XI won the toss and elected to bat. The decision backfired as their top-order crumbled in front of a disciplined Chennai bowling. Pawan Negi picked up 2/25 while the others chipped in with economic contributions. The Super Kings were excellent in the field and except Axar Patel, non of the Punjab batsmen could find any joy against them.
Catch all the highlights of the match here
(All time in IST)
1905: SIX more! Straight over long-off! Just one required now. And that's it! Top spot guaranteed for Chennai. Easy win, done brilliantly!
1904: SIX! How do you describe that shot from Dhoni? Shuffles outside off, jumps off the ground and then pulls/hook/ scoops the ball over fine leg!
19:00: FOUR! Short again and pulled away from Dhoni. Chennai now have a firm grip on the top spot - need 14 runs from 24 balls.
1855: FOUR! Short from Anureet and Dhoni pulls it to square leg. Chennai in complete control, 20 runs from 30 balls shouldn't be a problem for the men in yellow!
1849: BOWLED! Finally a wicket. Du Plessis (55) cleaned up by Rishi Dhawan by a good yorker. CSK 102/3 (13.3 overs)
1844: Sixth fifty for Faf du Plessis. Fantastic innings - calm and composed from the South African. Gets to it in just 36 balls. CSK 93/2 (12.2 overs)
1841: FOUR! Du Plessis going up a gear. Short and whacked through mid-wicket.
1840: SIX! Down the track come Du Plessis and lifts Axar over his head - hits the sight screen on the full.
1834: FOUR! Short from Axar and Du PLessis lifts it over mid-wicket. This is just meandering along. Chennai in cruise mode and Du Plessis and Raina are playing it really well - pushing the singles and hitting the odd boundary.
1726: SIX! Finally gets one out of the middle. Walks across his stumps and whacks Nehra over mid-wicket. That's it Punjab end their innings at 130/7. Axar Patel was the only man who tried to fuse some life into the Punjab innings, but the Chennai bowling was right on the mark and their fielding - top class! Punjab are good 30 runs short here and Chennai should ideally walk this chase.
Punjab may not have had much fun with the bat but off-field, they are quite happy - have a look at this video:
1721: OUT! Axar's (32) vigil ends. Fails to pick the slower one from Bravo, slashes out at it and Dhoni takes a dolly. KXIP 122/7 (19 overs)
1720: SIX! Rishi Dhawan picks up the slower from Bravo and swings hard. The ball lands over the ropes. Important runs for Punjab these. Dhoni isn't too impressed.
1718: SIX! Axar swings across the line and goes just over the ropes. Faf du Plessis with an audacious one handed effort diving effort but the ball just evades him.
1716: FOUR! Axar clears his front leg and whacks Jadeja over mid-on. KXIP 108/6 after 18 overs.
1712: The Punjab innings is meandering along. Dhoni won't mid this at all. The Punjab batsmen have wilted too soon and now, Axar and Rishi Dhawan are accumulating as much as they can.
While Chennai Super Kings have already qualified for the play-offs, MS Dhoni-led side will aim for a win in their final league before the start of the next phase of the tournament. Kings XI Punjab, who have just recorded three win in the season, will look to spoil Chennai's party.
Dhoni's side has struggled away from home, losing four out of their six away matches so far, and Punjab will certainly take confidence from that. Punjab will also have a chance of avenging their defeat at Chepauk.
Chennai have had a mixed season and players like Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and even Dhoni have been inconsistent. While Raina has failed to convert his starts, Jadeja has been the biggest flop for CSK.
Punjab, who had dropped Glenn Maxwell against Chennai in the first leg, will hope the Aussie reciprocates his last season's form and help them end the tournament on a happy note.
Kings XI were mauled by 97 runs by CSK in their previous encounter this season and going by past record and present form, Chennai will definitely start as overwhelming favourites.
STATS
- Dwayne Bravo is two wickets away from becoming first player to bag 100 wickets and score 1000 runs in the IPL history.