Ravindra Jadeja put up a sizzling show with the bat as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) notched up a six-wicket win in a last-ball thriller over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at Dubai on Thursday.
In a match that swung both ways, Chennai Super Kings needed 10 off the final over to win. Young pacer Kamlesh Nagarkoti started off the final over well as he restricted both Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
Ravindra Jadeja Was Hitting The Ball Well In Nets Too
CSK needed seven off the last two deliveries, and Ravindra Jadeja hit the youngster for two sixes to seal the game in Chennai’s favour. Ravindra Jadeja’s blistering 31 off 11 saw Chennai clinch their fifth win of the season.
Following the win, Ravindra Jadeja said he was hitting well in the nets, and he wanted to hit like that in the game.
“I was hitting it well in the nets and just wanted to do that again. The last 12 balls you don’t have to think too much. Just see the ball and hit the ball well. I was just looking to keep my shape and back my strength.”
“I knew if they bowl in my arc, I could hit the six, it was simple. When you play good competitive cricket and win matches for your team, you always feel happy,” Jadeja said at the post match presentation ceremony.
Though the win will not change Chennai’s position as they are bottom placed on the table, as they are out of the playoff race, CSK did hurt KKR’s chances of qualifying for a place in playoffs who will play Rajasthan next. Moreover, KKR’s loss sealed Mumbai Indians playoff berth for the ongoing edition.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Brisk 31 Off 11 Balls Take Game Away From Kolkata
KKR batted first and managed 172/5 in stipulated 20 overs with Nitish Rana top-scoring with 87 off 61 balls that included 10 fours and 4 sixes. But CSK scored 178/6 as they won in the last ball with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scoring with 72 off 53 balls. But he was dismissed with the score at 140/4 in the 18th over.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played a cameo which took the game away from Kolkata as 20 runs came in the penultimate over bowled by Lockie Ferguson and the last over by Kamlesh Nagarkoti saw 15 runs with two sixes in the last two balls which sealed the match in CSK’s favour.