IPL 2020: CSK Spoils KKR’s Playoff Chances

Chennai Super Kings are out of the tournament but they are making sure to spoil the happiness of the other teams in the playoff contention. After beating RCB in the last match, they now won against Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets. This loss will make things difficult for KKR to qualify for the playoffs. They need to win their next game and hope the other results turn in their way. On the flip side, Mumbai Indians became the first team to qualify for the playoffs officially as KKR lost this game.

CSK won the toss and chose to bowl first. They didn’t get a favourable start as KKR’s openers Shubman Gill (26) and Nitish Rana (87) made a partnership of 53 runs. Then, Gill was bowled out by Karn Sharma. In the very next over, Narine got out in the bowling of Santner. After that, Rana made responsible partnerships with Rinku Singh and Eoin Morgan. In the process, he also completed his half-century. When it looked like he will score a century for sure, Lungi Ngidi dismissed Rana in the 18th over. With the help of Dinesh Karthik and Eoin Morgan, KKR had put up a score of 172/5 in 20 overs.

Chennai’s openers Shane Watson and Ruturaj Gaikwad (72) gave a good start to their team by making a partnership of 50 runs for the first wicket. Varun Chakravarthy broke this partnership by dismissing Watson. Then, Ambati Rayudu (38) and Gaikwad played well by scoring a 68-run stand for the second wicket. When CSK was comfortable in chasing the total, KKR made a comeback by taking the wickets of Rayudu, Dhoni and Gaikwad. All of a sudden, Chennai was in trouble. When they needed 30 off the last two overs, Ravindra Jadeja (31*) shined with the bat. He had hit three sixes and two fours in the last two overs and helped CSK in scoring 178/4 in 20 overs. CSK will face Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Rajasthan Royals in their respective last league matches that will be held on November 1.