CHENNAI OUTPLAY KOLKATA TO WIN FOURTH IPL TITLE
MS Dhoni-led team outplay Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in final
Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs at Dubai International Stadium yesterday to clinch their fourth IPL crown. M.S. Dhoni also led CSK to IPL titles in 2010, 2011 and 2018. Faf du Plessis’ 86 off 59 balls guided CSK to 192-3. The CSK bowlers then restricted the two-time champions to 165-9 despite half centuries by openers Venkatesh Iyer and Shubham Gill. Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja demolished KKR’s middle order.
The Chennai Super Kings are crowned IPL champions a fourth time. Faf du Plessis helmed CSK’s dominant batting display in the 2021 final with a 58-ball 86, which was the cornerstone of Chennai’s 27-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium yesterday.
Kolkata launched the chase of Chennai’s 192 earnestly through Venkatesh Iyer (50 off 32 balls), but his departure at 91 triggered a collapse from which they never recovered. Shubhman Gill (51 off 43), who had kept Iyer company, was the only other Kolkata batsman to make an impact as they finished with 165/9 in 20 overs.
Shardul Thakur’s doublestrike in three balls broke the back of Kolkata, while Ravindra Jadeja, who took two fine catches, picked up two wickets to kill off the KKR challenge.
Asked to bat first, CSK didn’t put a foot wrong. Every batter scored big, and three 50-plus partnerships helped them rattle up 192/3 in 20 overs. Du Plessis had a hand in each of the partnerships and, more importantly, stepped up the scoring in the middle overs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (32 off 27 balls) grabbed the initiative by scoring 61 in the company of Du Plessis. Robin Uthappa (31 off 15) and Du Plessis cracked KKR’s middle-over riddle with some blazing strokes that brought 63 runs. Moeen Ali (37 not out off 20) provided with finishing touches, adding 68 runs with Du Plessis as CSK set a target of 193.
Taking responsibility
“We shuffled a few players, we used them in different ways,” Dhoni said of their turnaround after collecting the trophy.
“It was important to take responsibility and we had matchwinners coming game after game and performing.
“People who were in form, they made sure they were scoring throughout the tournament, and everybody else was chipping in.” Morgan scored four as his lean run with the bat continued ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup beginning tomorrow.
“Our guys fought incredibly hard and performed but today, unfortunately, proved just one game too many,” said the England captain.
Uthappa said: “Extremely grateful, it feels amazing to be part of this side, especially how last year went for us. It was a very lean season for us last year and so it was important for us to come back and play as well as we could and be really grateful that we have been able to,” said Robin Uthappa after the win.
“I just want to come in and contribute to the team’s success,” he added.
Talking about the environment in the CSK group, he said: “They create a very secure environment within the group and there’s a lot of clarity and communication.”
4th
Indian Premier League title Chennai Super Kings won