Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) held their nerves as they beat the two-time champion Chennai Super Kings by four runs in yet another last-over thriller in the ongoing eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Meanwhile, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with his severe back injury, tried his level best but failed four runs short. The vintage Dhoni was on offer as he scored unbeaten 79 runs off just 44 deliveries with the help of six boundaries and five sixes.
Ambati Rayadu (49) and Ravindra Jadeja (19) also tried their level best and failed as CSK suffered their first loss the season.
However, previously, the hosts were banking on Chris Gayle (66) and KL Rahul’s (37) blistering start – to post a huge total of 197. The middle-order also chipped in with a useful contribution to helping Punjab close in on the 200-run mark.
Moreover, there was nothing much for the bowlers to do in this batting paradise.
However, Punjab’s young off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled some tight overs to contain CSK’s run flow.
Have a look at the player ratings of Chennai Super Kings:
Shane Watson: (6/10):
The veteran all-rounder Shane Watson has had a good start to this edition of the Twenty20 league. He has contributed to Chennai’s success with both bat and ball.
Last night although he failed with the bat, he bowled two tight overs on a feather-bedded surface.
Murali Vijay: (3/10):
Opening batsman Murali Vijay got his first opportunity of the season, but couldn’t use it to full perfection. He got a good start scoring 12 runs off 10 balls but failed to capitalise on it.
Vijay needs to prove himself if he wants to retain a berth in the first XI.
Ambati Rayudu: (7.5/10):
Rayadu has been one of the most consistent performers for CSK so far in this league. He has scored runs in almost all the games batting at the top-order.
Last night (Sunday) he played a valuable hand of 49 runs while chasing a massive total, however, went in vain.
Sam Billings: (3.5/10):
The hero from the last match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Billing couldn’t couldn’t find the right touch in this game. Ashwin trapped him right in front while he was batting at nine.
However, Billings will likely come back stronger in the next game.
MS Dhoni (c & wk): (8.5/10):
The old horse Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on offer in the last game as he once again proved that form is temporary while class is permanent. He single-handedly took his team close to the victory but fell just short by four runs.
He scored 79 runs off 44 balls including six fours and five sixes.
Ravindra Jadeja: (5/10):
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played a good hand in the lower-order helping Dhoni to close in on the target. He scored a quickfire 19 runs but went in the losing cause.
However, Dhoni didn’t bowl him in the last game considering the flatness of the wicket.
Dwayne Bravo: (4.5/10)
Rockstar Dwayne Bravo was a tad expensive with the ball in the last game going for 37 runs in his quota of four overs.
However, the picked the important wicket of Karun Nair, who was looking dangerous.
Meanwhile, he had a very little role to play with the bat.
Deepak Chahar: (4/10):
The young Deepak Chahar got a good hammering from the Kings XI batsmen. He gave away 37 runs in his four overs, however, failed to pick any wickets.
This will be a learning curve for the pacer and it is likely that he will come back stronger.
Harbhajan Singh: (4.5/10):
The veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh had a very tough time while bowling in the powerplays against the likes of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul.
Harbhajan leaked 41 runs in his four overs and returned with the lone wicket of KL Rahul.
Imran Tahir: (6/10):
The leg-spinner from South Africa Imran Tahir did an average job with the ball on a flat deck in Mohali. He went for 34 runs in his four, however, picked two wickets which halted Punjab’s run flow.
Tahir is an important addition to the side as he can win matches on his own.
Shardul Thakur: (5/10):
There was nothing much for the bowlers on this wicket as it is evident from the runs scored.
For Chennai Super Kings, Shardul also went for plenty, however, he took wickets in the middle as Punjab couldn’t cross the 200-run mark.
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