(Milcah Anila, Intern Journalist): Kings XI Punjab looked on as the IPL playoffs unfolded. The team, which appeared to have lost the mane at once with five consecutive wins, lost the second match in a row with a batting failure and exited. The team, which is on the list of teams that have never won a title in the league, ended the season with the same disappointment. On the other hand, the Chennai Super Kings, who changed the counts of Bangalore and Kolkata in the last two matches after missing the playoffs, beat another team and took it with them. Dhoni’s side ended the game with some satisfaction with a hat-trick victory.
The Chennai Super Kings had another huge victory after missing the playoff race. In Sunday’s match, Chennai thrashed Kings XI Punjab by 9 wickets. Batting first, Punjab scored 153 for 6 in 20 overs. Deepak Hooda (62 not out off 30 balls; 3 fours, 4 sixes) scored a half-century while KL Rahul (29 off 27 balls; 3 fours, 1 six) and Mayank Agarwal (26 off 15 balls; 5 fours) looked unbeaten. Lungi Ingidi took 3 wickets.
Chennai then chased down the 154-run target in 18.5 overs for the loss of wickets. ‘Man of the Match’ Ruturaj Gaikwad (62 not out off 49 balls; 6 fours, 1 six) impressed with a hat-trick half-century. Duplessis (48 off 34 balls; 4 fours, 2 sixes), Rayudu (30; 2 fours) impressed.
Except for Hooda
Mayank hit two boundaries in the first over and then Rahul entertained with a six. Mayank, who hit three more boundaries, was joined by Ingidi Pavilion with a fantastic ball. This puts Punjab 53/1 in the powerplay.
Rahul was also found in Ingidi for a while. Chennai bowlers effectively retained heavy hitters Gayle (12) and Pooran (2). The Chennai bowlers took control of the match by dismissing the two in the space of four overs.
However, Deepak Hooda counterattacked from the other end. He added 36 for the fifth wicket with Mandeep (14) to take the team score past 100. Ingidi smashed 18 runs with two sixes in the over. He then hit another four and received a half-century off 26 balls. He scored 14 runs in the last over with 4, 6 at the same pace. For his part, Punjab has scored 58 off the last 30 balls.
Playing and singing
Chennai aggressively started general targeting. Duplessis scored 57 in the powerplay as Gaikwad lived up to expectations. Jordan then separated the duo, who were still playing nimble, by dismissing Duplessis. The duo added 82 off 59 balls for the first wicket.
Ruturaj then continued his form with the help of Rayudu. He received a half-century off 38 balls with a boundary in the sequence. It was his third consecutive half-century. The duo won the toss and elected to field with seven balls to spare.
Score details
Kings XI Punjab innings: Rahul (b) Ingidi 29; Mayank (b) Ingidi 26; Gayle (LB) (b) Tahir 12; Pooran (c) Dhoni (b) Shardul 2; Mandeep (b) Jadeja 14; Hooda (not out) 62; Neesham (c) Ruturaj (b) Ingidi 2; Jordan (not out) 4; Extras 2; Overall (for 6 wickets in 20 overs) 153.
Fall of wickets: 1–48, 2–62, 3–68, 4–72, 5–108, 6–113.
Bowling: Deepak Chahar 3–0–30–0, Sam Karan 2–0–15–0, Shardul Thakur 4–0–27–1, Ingidi 4–0–39–3, Tahir 4–0–24–1, Jadeja 3 –0–17–1
Chennai Super Kings innings: Ruthuraj (not out) 62; Duplessis (c) Rahul (b) Jordan 48; Stone (not out) 30; Extras 14;
Total (for wicket loss in 18.5 overs) 154.
Fall of wickets: 1–82.
Bowling: Neesham 3–0–26–0, Shami 4–0–29–0, Jordan 3–0–31–1, Ravi Bishnoi 4–0–39–0, Murugan Ashwin 4–0–17–0, Gayle 0.5–0–5–0.
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