Kings XI Punjab finished off their IPL 12 campaign with a resounding victory against the table-toppers Chennai Super Kings to finish on a high. Impressive bowling performance allowed Punjab to restrict CSK to a score of 170 runs. KL Rahul played a stunning knock and ensured Punjab gave their fan something to cherish in their final game of the tournament.
The Turning Point of the Match
There is certainly no doubt about the fact that it was the knock from the blade of KL Rahul which proved to be the difference between the two sides. He provided the perfect start and raced off to a half-century in just 19 deliveries. He shared a century stand with Chris Gayle in less than 10 overs and by then the match was almost done and dusted.
Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings-2nd innings
Kings XI Punjab got off to the perfect start in pursuit of a target of 171 runs. KL Rahul looked in ominous touch and raced off to his half-century in just 19 deliveries. It was a perfect start for Kings XI Punjab as KL Rahul decided to give the crowd something to cheer after failing to qualify for the playoffs.
There was literally no stopping KL Rahul as he kept smashing boundaries after boundaries and put CSK under enormous pressure. It looked Punjab might end up chasing the total in less than 14.2 overs which would have pushed Chennai Super Kings to the bottom of the points table.
The right-hander shared a sensational 108 runs stand with Chris Gayle in just over 10 overs. However, Rahul and Gayle were dismissed in consecutive deliveries which gave CSK some hope. However, by then the match was done and dusted.
Harbhajan Singh after conceding more than 40 runs in the first two overs came back strongly and bagged 3 wickets to finish with figures of 3/57 in his 4 overs spell. After the loss of the openers, it was Nicholas Pooran who ensured Punjab reached the target with utmost comfort in the end.
Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings- 1st innings
It was Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin who won the toss and opted to field. Openers Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis proceeded out to the ground with the hopes of getting Chennai Super Kings off to a flying start. Both the batters played some delightful shots, to begin with, a 30 runs partnership before Shane Watson was castled by a great delivery by Sam Curran.
Faf du Plessis looked in ominous touch and tried to resurrect the innings with a partnership with the middle order batters. Along with Suresh Raina, the duo batted sensibly and ensured that boundaries and sixes were taken care of. Raina, in particular, returned to form with a well-constructed half-century and shared a 120 runs stand with Shane Watson.
Sam Curran again came into action and bagged the wicket of Raina. Faf du Plessis kept on the good work and neared a well deserved century. Eventually, Du Plessis fell short of a well deserved century by just 4 runs. Faf du Plessis’ knock of 96 came in just 55 deliveries and was studded with 10 fours and sixes.
It was a great comeback by the Kings XI Punjab in the final few overs as they managed to restrict Chennai Super Kings to a score of 170 runs in their allotted 20 overs. While Sam Curran bagged three wickets, Mohammed Shami also chipped in with a couple.