Gaikwad, Jadeja heroics hand CSK another consolation win

Tags: Indian T20 League 2020, Chennai XI Vs Kolkata XI, 49th Match at Dubai, Oct 29, 2020, Chennai XI, Kolkata XI, Ruturaj Dashrat Gaikwad, Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja

Published on: Oct 29, 2020

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

A calm Gaikwad’s 72(53) and a belligerent Jadeja’s 31*(11) made sure that KKR’s playoff chances were no longer in their hands, as with this loss, they will want other results to fall their way. Rana batted superbly for his 87(61), but the target of 173 was just not enough for the now spirited Super Kings.

KKR were put into bat after Morgan lost the toss, and out came Gill and Rana. Gill gave glimpses of his class in his short stay at the crease where he scored 26 off 17 consisting of four fours out of which two were absolute class. Karn Sharma cleaned him in the 8th over of the match. His partner Rana, was struggling big time at the start and was on 6(16) at one point. He discovered his form later in the innings as spin came along. With 15 runs off Santer in the 6th over, he had announced his arrival.

Karn Sharma gave away only 16 runs from his first three, and put pressure on Narine, who had replaced Gill. It was Santner however, who reaped the benefit of the pressure created on Narine by picking up his wicket. Rinku Singh, playing his first match of the season, holed out to Rayudu at fine leg against the bowling of Jadeja, for a run a ball 11.

CSK were slowly gaining control of the innings with their spinners, before Rana decided to up the ante, just after he had gotten to his fifty. He struck three consecutive sixes against Karn Sharma, and continued it with two fours against Chahar. He got out the very next over though, but not before he had compiled a fine 87(61). DK, batting at number six, proved again that he is a much better finisher than a top order batter with a quickfire knock of 21 from 11. Morgan too hit a couple of fours for his knock of 15 from 12, as KKR registered 172 runs on the board at the end of their stipulated 20 overs.

CSK were opening with Watson and Gaikwad, with Faf missing out today. After a 2 run opening over from Cummins, the pair started to express themselves, especially Gaikwad, who continued from where he had left in the last game. He smashed Ferguson for two fours and lofted Chakravarthy effortlessly for a six over long-off . Watson, who had taken 18 balls for his 14, perished to Chakravarthy in the 8th over, after the pair had put on 50 for the first wicket.

With 115 required from 11 overs, Morgan tried to slip one over quietly by Rana. That move didn’t work as Rayudu smashed three consecutive fours and the over cost 16 runs. Even as Rayudu was playing a riskful brand of cricket, Gaikwad was caressing the ball and soon brought up his fifty, his second on trot. Rayudu slammed two consecutive fours off Cummins, but got a bit too greedy and perished the very next ball. MS Dhoni was bowled comprehensively by Chakravarthy for just one run, as the match was hanging in balance.

With 52 required from the final five, the match could have gone either way, but given CSK’s form it was slightly skewed in KKR’s favour. Though 18 came from the next two overs, Curran was struggling with his timing. Cummins then bowled a 4 run over and also got the wicket of the well settled Gaikwad. KKR were bossing the game at that point, but Jadeja turned it around for CSK as he smoked 14 off Ferguson’s last three balls in the 19th over. The match went right till the end as 7 were required from the last two balls, but Jadeja hit two sixes to close the game with ease. Scorecard

-- Jatin Shad

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