Dhoni leads Chennai Super Kings to their Fourth IPL Trophy
Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in this season’s final in Dubai.
Thala and Chennai Super Kings do it yet again as they clinch their fourth IPL title: 2010, 2011, 2018 and now 2021!
Powered by a brilliant knock from Faf du Plessis, CSK posted 192 for three. Despite a few lucky reprieves, KKR managed 165/9 in their 20 overs, falling well short of the target.
In chase of 193, KKR openers matched their CSK counterpart. Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill took Kolkata to 59/0 in just 7 overs. Iyer got to his fourth 50 but soon after, he was dismissed by Shardul Thakur.
The CSK bowler struck again in the same over after getting rid of Nitish Rana for a golden duck. In the next over, Josh Hazlewood got the wicket of Sunil Narine (2) before Deepak Chahar removed Gill on 51.
KKR were 5 down as Jadeja sent Dinesh Karthik packing on 9. Eventually, KKR were restricted to 165/9 in 20 overs, with Thakur picking three wickets. Ruturaj Gaikwad overtook Punjab Kings’ skipper KL Rahul in the ‘Orange Cap’ race and provided a strong start to CSK along with fellow opener Faf du Plessis.
By the end of the 8th over, CSK cruised to 61/0 against KKR in Dubai. Eventually, Sunil Narine provided the breakthrough by dismissing Gaikwad on 32.
Du Plessis then brought up yet another 50, and with able support from Robin Uthappa, took CSK to 104/1 after 12 overs.
The two brought up their 50-run stand before Uthappa was caught LBW by Sunil Narine. Eventually, du Plessis smashed 86 off 59 balls, missing the Orange Cap by 2 runs, to power CSK to 192-3 in 20 overs. Moeen Ali (37*) and Robin Uthappa (31) played handy cameos.
During the post-match presentation, MS Dhoni said, “Before I start talking about CSK, it’s important I talk about KKR. For the position they were in after the first phase, to perform this well, it’s very difficult. If any team deserved to win the IPL this year, it is KKR for the way they have played. I think the break helped them. Yes we are most consistent team looking at the stats but we have also lost finals. Not letting the opposition in is something we conciously wanted to improve. I hope CSK in the coming years will be known for that. We don’t really talk a lot. It’s more one on one. People are more open that way. The moment you talk in a team room there is a bit of pressure. You can’t deliver without a good team. We also have great individuals as well. I would love to thank the fans. We are in Dubai now.”
