Chennai Super Kings were crowned the Indian Premier League champions for the fourth time after they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in the final by 27 runs in Dubai on Friday night.
Chasing a stiff target of 193 runs, the Knight Riders were off to a decent start after openers Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer chipped in with a stand of 91 runs for the first wicket. Iyer eventually departed for a 32-ball 50 after getting caught by Ravindra Jadeja off Shardul Thakur.
Later, Gill also notched up his fifty but Iyer’s scalp broke the shackles and KKR began to lose wickets at quick intervals and were reduced to 125/8 in the 17th over.
Shivam Mavi and Lockie Ferguson then stitched a partnership of 39 runs for the ninth wicket but their efforts weren’t enough to take the side over the line. The Kolkata side were restricted to 165/9 in 20 overs.
Earlier, in the day, the opening stand of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis once again dominated the bowlers and put up 61 runs for the first wicket. While Gaikwad was sent back in the hut for 32, du Plessis continued with his onslaught right till the end and scored 86 off 59 balls.
Robin Uthappa who had come in at number three also played a crucial role in helping CSK put up a big total after he struck a quick-fire 31 off 15 while Moeen Ali was also among runs at a crucial junction in the tournament. The left-handed batsman remained unbeaten at 37 off 20 deliveries as CSK posted 192/3 in 20 overs.
It was surely a perfect comeback from the Super Kings especially after the way they had fared in the last edition of the cash-rich league where the MS Dhoni-led side didn’t manage to make a place for themselves in the playoffs.