CSK would be much relieved after that win over KXIP. They now have 4 points from 5 games and they move from the bottom of the tablel to sixth. KXIP now are at the foot of the points table. They have lot to think about. Earlier in the day MI beat SRH and went on the top of the points table with 6 points. Tomorrow RCB face DC at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Join us for the coverage of that match. Good night for now!
Shane Watson: Nice to bat like that tonight. Felt something slightly off earlier in the tournament, technical thing. Bit more intent on the front leg, getting my weight through the ball. We compliment each other well. He's a great guy, love batting with him. With so much experience and success the franchise's had, they believe in the players. Never any panic stations with CSK. Just had to do a few things better.
Player of the Match
CSK's Shane Watson is the Player of the Match. He hit unbeaten 83 from 53 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes.
MS Dhoni: Did the small things right. Believed in the process. Were looking for the kind of start today. That's where experience counts. It's not about being more aggressive. Watson was looking good in the nets. But what you want is to replicate that. It was just a matter of time that he gets going. Faf is like a sheet anchor for us. He can always confuse the bowlers with shots like the lap shot. They compliment each other well. Fleming doesn't get the kind of recognition he should. The good thing between us is that we decide each and every thing between us. It's not like we don't have debates over selections. But it stays between us. Felt the bowlers did a very good job. Felt we bowled according to what our plan was. Momentum with the right kind of shots - I felt Watto and Faf backed themselves to play the shots they're known for. It was very good to watch them out there.
KL Rahul: It's hard being on the losing side for so many games on the trot. We need to come back harder and better. There's no rocket science where we are going wrong, it's the execution. When we started batting, the wicket did stop a bit and when the spinners came in there was some grip and turn. If we don't get wickets of the class of Watson and du Plessis, we are in trouble. It's a bit hard to attack as a captain when they are going at 10 runs an over in the powerplay. They are all professional players, so we can expect them to come back better. We need to keep training harder, practising and try to win the key moments in the game. Hopefully we'll be able to bounce back
Result
CSK beat KXIP by 10 wickets
CSK 181/0 after 17.4 overs.
Shami to bowl. Watson is on strike.
17.1 Fuller delivery and Watson plays the ball to third man for a single.
17.2 Short ball and du Plessis pulls it to deep midwicket for 2 runs.
17.3 SIX! Fuller delivery and du Plessis cracks the ball over extra cover for a maximum.
17.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery and du Plessis cracks the ball through cover for a boundary.
CSK 168/0 after 17 overs.
Jordan to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
16.1 Good yorker and du Plessis digs the ball out.
16.2 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to leg side for a single.
16.3 Fuller delivery and Watson plays the ball to sweeper cover for a single.
16.4 FOUR! Full toss and du Plessis slices the ball down to third man for a boundary.
16.5 FOUR! Low full toss and du Plessis hits the ball down to third man for a boundary.
16.6 Fuller delivery and du Plessis hits the ball down to third man for 2 runs.
CSK 156/0 after 16 overs.
Bishnoi to bowl. Watson is on strike.
15.1 Short ball and Watson goes for cut but misses.
15.2 Short ball and Watson plays the ball to off side
15.3 Short ball and Waston plays the ball to leg side for a single.
15.4 Fuller delivery and du Plessis goes on the backfoot to block the ball.
15.5 Short ball and du Plessis cuts the ball to sweeper cover for a single.
15.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Watson cracks the ball through mid off for a boundary.
CSK 150/0 after 15 overs.
CSK 135/0 after 14 overs.
Cottrell to bowl. Watson in on strike.
13.1 Fuller delivery and Watson hits the ball down to long on for a single.
13.2 Short ball and du Plesssi pulls the ball to short fine for a run.
13.3 Short ball. Watson goes for pull but the ball goes past him.
13.4 SIX! Short ball on middle stump. Watson makes room and smacks the ball straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum.
13.4 WIDE! Poor ball down the leg side
13.5 Short ball and Watson pulls the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
13.5 WIDE! Poor ball by Cottrell as he bowls way outside off stump.
13.6 Good length delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to sweeper cover for a single.
CSK 123/0 after 13 overs.
Harpreet Brar to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
12.1 Fuller delivery and du Plessis pushes the ball to cover.
12.2 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to sweeper cover for 2 runs.
12.3 Short ball and du Plessis pulls the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
12.4 Short ball and Watson plays the ball to off side.
12.5 Short ball and Watson plays the ball down to lonh on for a single.
12.6 Short ball and du Plessis goes for cut but misses.
CSK 119/0 after 12 overs.
Bishnoi to bowl. Watson is on strike.
11.1 Fuller delivery and Watson goes on the backfoot to block the ball.
11.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Watson drives the ball through extra cover for a boundary.
11.2 WIDE! Fuller ball way outside off stump.
11.3 Fuller delivery and Watson slogs the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
11.4 Short ball and du Plessis punches the ball to long off for a single.
11.5 Short ball and Watson goes for cut but misses.
11.6 Fuller delivery and Watson sweeps the ball to the fielder at fine leg.
CSK 112/0 after 11 overs.
Jordan to bowl. Watson is on strike.
10.1 FOUR! Short delivery on leg stump. Watson guides the ball to fine-leg for a boundary.
10.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Watson drives the ball through off side for a boundary.
10.3 Good yorker and Watson digs the ball out. The ball goes down to long on as the batsman completes a single.
10.4 Good length delivery and du Plessis goes on the backfoot to block the ball.
10.5 Fuller delivery and du Plessis drives the ball down to third man for a single.
10.6 Fuller delivery and Watson hits the ball down to long off for a single.
CSK 101/0 after 10 overs.
Shami to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
9.1 Short ball and du Plessis works the ball to fine leg for 2 runs.
9.2 Good length delivery and du Plessis hits the ball on the off side.
9.3 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to cover for a single.
9.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Watson plays the ball down to third man for a single.
9.5 Fuller delivery and du Plessis digs the ball out. The ball goes to leg side as the batsman takes a single.
9.6 Fuller delivery and Watson plays the ball down to long on for a single.
CSK 95/0 after 9 overs.
Bishnoi to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
8.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Watson hits the ball down to sweeper cover for 2 runs.
8.2 FOUR! Short ball and Watson pulls to send the ball down to fine leg for a boundary.
8.2 WIDE! Poor ball as Bishnoi bowls way outside off stump.
8.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Watson plays the ball to off side for a single.
8.4 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball down to long off for a single.
8.5 SIX! Monster hit from Watson. Fuller delivery outside off. Watson slogs the ball to send it back in the stands.
8.6 Fuller delivery and Watson plays the ball to third man.
CSK 81/0 after 8 overs.
Harpreet to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
7.1 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to leg side for a single.
7.2 FOUR! Short ball and Watson paddle sweeps the ball down to fine leg for a boundary.
7.3 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Watson sweeps. Misfield by Shami at short fine leg gifts Watson a boundary.
7.4 Short ball and Watson pulls the ball to send it down to long on for a single.
7.5 FOUR! Fuller delivery. du Plessis makes room and comes down the track to smash the ball through extra cover for a boundary.
7.6 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
CSK 66/0 after 7 overs.
Ravi Bishnoi to bowl. Watson is on strike.
6.1 Short ball outside off stump. Watson pushes the ball to cover and takes a single.
6.2 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to off side.
6.3 Beaten! Tossed up delivery. du Plessis goes for drive but the ball beats the outside edge.
6.4 Short ball and the ball raps on the pads.
6.5 FOUR! Short ball and du Plessis pulls the ball for a boundary.
6.6 Fuller delivery and du Plessis works the ball to midwicket for a single.
CSK 60/0 after 6 overs.
Chris Jordan to bowl. Watson is on strike.
5.1 Good length delivery outside off stump. Watson pushes the ball to sweeper cover or a single.
5.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery and du Plessis moves across the stumps and scoops the ball to send it down to fine leg for a boundary.
5.3 Short ball outside off stump. du Plessis hits the ball up in the air over cover and takes 2 runs.
5.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery and du Plessis slaps the ball down to deep midwicket for a boundary.
5.5 FOUR! Short ball outside off stump. du Plessis cracks the ball through backward point for a boundary.
5.6 FOUR! Short ball and du Plessis moves across to slap the ball down the ground for a boundary.
CSK 41/0 after 5 overs.
Shami to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
4.1 WIDE! Short ball going down the leg side.
4.1 FOUR! Fuller delivery and du Plessis flicks the ball to square leg for a boundary.
4.2 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to fine leg for 2 runs.
4.3 Short ball and du Plessis works the ball to fine leg for a single.
4.4 Short ball. Watson goes for pull but the ball goes past him.
4.5 Good length delivery and Watson plays the ball down to long off for a run.
CSK 32/0 after 4 overs.
Harpreet Brar to bowl. du Plessis is on strike.
3.1 Fuller delivery and du Plessi comes down the track and plays the ball to long on for a single.
3.2 Fuller delivery down leg. The ball hits the pads.
3.3 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Watson hits the ball straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary.
3.4 Short ball and Watson goes deep in his crease to play the ball to leg side for a single.
3.5 Fuller delivery and du Plessi goes for sweep. He misses and the ball hits the pads. There is loud appeal for LBW but the umpire is not interested. Rahul doesn't take the review.
3.6 Fuller delivery and du Plessis plays the ball down to long off for a single.
CSK 25/0 after 3 overs.
Cottrell continues. du Plessis is on strike.
2.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. du Plessis plays the ball to mid off for a single.
2.2 Short ball outside off stump. Watson cuts the ball to send it down to third man for a single.
2.3 Short ball. du Plessis pulls. The ball goes to fine leg and du Plessis takes 2 runs.
2.4 Fuller delivery and du Plessi plays the ball down to long off for a single.
2.5 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Watson cracks the ball past the bowler down the ground for a boundary.
2.6 Short ball and Watson cuts the ball to the man at backward point.
CSK 16/0 after 2 overs.
Mohammed Shami to bowl. Watson is on strike.
1.1 Beaten! Good fuller delivery on off stump. The ball nips away and beats Watson.
1.2 Short ball outside off stump. Watson goes for cut but misses.
1.2 FOUR WIDES! Poor ball by Shami as he bowls down the leg side. Poorna fails to collect the ball as it goes down to fine leg for a boundary.
1.3 Short ball outside off. Watson guides the ball to third man for a single.
1.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. du Plessis plays the ball to leg side for a single.
1.5 Short ball on middle stump. Watson goes on the backfoot and Watson punches the ball to off side.
1.6 Short ball on middle stump. Watson cuts the ball to the fielder at point.
CSK 9/0 after 1 over.
Sheldon Cottrell to bowl the first over. Shane Watson in on strike.
0.1 Fuller delivery and Watson pushes the ball back to the bowler.
0.2 Good length delivery and Watson blocks the ball with a dead straight bat.
0.3 FOUR! Short delivery on leg stump. Watson works the ball down to fine leg for a boundary.
0.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Watson lifts the ball over the in field on the leg side for a boundary.
0.5 Fuller delivery and Watson plays the ball to mid off for a single.
0.6 Good length delivery and du Plessis plays the ball to off side.
CSK's chase is about to get underway. KXIP players are out on the field and in a huddle. KL Rahul is wearing the Orange Cap. He is giving his team final instructions. And outcome CSK openers Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson.
KXIP 178/4 after 20 overs.
Thakur to bowl. Sarfaraz is on strike.
19.1 FOUR! Low full toss and Sarfaraz plays his favourite ramp shot to send the ball down to third man for a boundary.
19.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Sarfaraz brings his bat down to crunch the ball down to third man for a boundary.
19.2 WIDE! Fuller delivery way outside off stump.
19.3 Fuller delivery and Sarfarz cuts. The ball takes the outside edge. Dhoni stops the ball but Sarfarz takes a single.
19.4 Fuller delivery and Maxwell goes for ramp shot but misses.
19.5 Full toss outside off stump. Maxwell plays the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
19.6 Low full toss and Sarfaraz plays the ball down to long on for a single.
KXIP 166/4 after 19 overs.
Bravo to bowl. Sarfaraz is on strike.
18.1 Full toss outside off stump. Sarfaraz drives the ball to cover for 2 runs.
18.2 Great yorker and Sarfaraz digs the ball out.
18.3 Slower ball outside off stump. Sarfaraz cuts the ball to backward point for a single.
18.4 Low full toss and Maxwell plays the ball to midwicket for 2 runs.
18.5 FOUR! Short ball and Maxwell slashes the ball down to long off for a boundary.
18.6 Fuller delivery and Maxwell plays the ball to deep midwicket for 2 runs.
KXIP 155/4 after 18 overs.
to bowl. Pooran is on strike.
17.1 WICKET! Pooran c Jadeja b SN Thakur 33(17)
Fuller delivery outside off stump. Pooran swings his bat. The ball goes miles high in the air toward deep midwicket. Jadeja takes a good catch in the deep to end Pooran's cameo.
Maxwell is the new batsman. Rahul is on strike.
17.2 WICKET! Rahul c Dhoni b SN Thakur 63(52)
Fuller delivery, slow outside off stump. Rahul pokes his bat. The ball takes the thick outside edge and goes to Dhoni. He puts in a dive and takes a good catch.
Thakur is on a hat-trick. Sarfaraz Khan in on strike.
17.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Sarfaraz drives. The ball takes the thick outside edge and fall just in front on the man at short third man.
17.4 Fuller delivery and Sarfaraz drives the ball down the ground for a single.
17.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Maxwell goes for drive but misses.
17.6 Fuller delivery and Maxwell plays the ball down to third man for 2 runs.
KXIP 152/2 after 17 overs.
Bravo to bowl. Pooran is on strike.
16.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Pooran plays the ball to off side and takes 2 runs.
16.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Pooran hits the ball to the fielder at extra cover.
16.3 Fuller delivery bowled down on the leg stump. The ball goes to the keeper.
16.4 SIX! Full toss wide outsdie off stumo. Pooran swings his bat and deposits the ball back in the stands.
16.5 Full toss and Pooran plays the ball down to long off for 2 runs.
16.6 Fuller delivery and Pooran plays the ball down to long off for a single.
KXIP 141/2 after 16 overs.
15.1 Short ball and Pooran plays the ball round the corner for a single.
15.2 Short delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball to third man for a single.
15.3 SIX! Monster hit from Pooran. Short ball outside off stump. Pooran swings his bat and sends the ball way way back in the stands.
15.4 Short ball outside off stump. Pooran swings his bat again but this time the ball goes past him.
15.5 Short delivery and Pooran plays the ball to long on for 2 runs.
15.6 Short ball and Pooran plays the ball to square leg for a single.
KXIP 130/2 after 15 overs.
Thakur to bowl. Rahul is on strike.
14.1 Good yorker and Rahul digs the ball out.
14.2 SIX! Uppish delivery and Rahul cracks the ball over long off for a maximum.
Rahul gets to hos fifty!
14.3 FOUR! Short delivery and Rahul plays the ball through extra cover for a boundary.
14.4 FOUR! Short delivery on leg stump. Rahul makes room and softly guides the ball down to third man for a boundary.
14.5 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul flicks the ball to the fielder at short fine.
14.6 Fuller delivery and Rahul flicks the ball to long on for a single.
KXIP 114/2 after 14 overs.
Jadeja to bowl. Rahul is on strike.
13.1 Straight delivery and Rahul plays the ball to cover for a single.
13.2 Fuller delivery and Pooran blocks the ball.
13.3 Short delivery and Pooran plays the ball to midwicket for a single.
13.4 Short delivery and Rahul plays the ball to long for a single.
13.5 FOUR! Short ball wide outside off stump. Pooran creams the ball through extra cover for a boundary.
13.6 SIX! Fuller delivery and Pooran plays the ball for a maximum.
KXIP 101/2 after 13 overs.
Bravo to bowl. Rahul is on strike.
12.1 Short delivery wide outside off stump. Rahul goes for cut but misses.
12.2 FOUR! Slower delivery wide outside off stump. Rahul gets the outside edge of the bat and the ball goes down to third man for a boundary.
12.3 Length delivery and Rahul plays the ball to mid on.
12.4 Fuller delivery and Rahul plays the ball to midwicket for a single.
12.5 Fuller delivery and Pooran plays the ball to third man for a single.
12.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball down to third man for a single.
KXIP 94/2 after 12 overs.
11.1 Fuller delivery and Mandeep nudges the ball to midwicket for 2 runs.
11.2 Short delivery and Mandeep cuts the ball to cover-point for a single.
11.3 Loopy delivery and rahul plays the ball to cover.
11.4 Fuller delivery and Rahul plays the ball for 2 run.
11.5 Full and falt delivery. Rahul plays the ball to midwicket for a single.
11.6 WICKET! Mandeep c Rayudu b Jadeja 27(16)
Fuller delivery outside off stump. Mandeep hits the ball stright to Rayudu at extra cover.
KXIP 88/1 after 11 overs.
10.1
10.2 SIX! Cracked over deep midwicket. Fuller delivery and Mandeep slogs the ball to send the ball flying over deep midwicket for a maximum.
10.3 Quicker delivery outside off. Mandeep plays the ball to off side for a single.
10.4 Short delivery and Rahul pushes the ball down to long on for a single.
10.5 SIX! Another short delivery on middle stump. Mandeep rocks back and smashes the ball over deep midwicket for a maximum.
10.6 Fuller delivery and Mandeep plays the ball to long on for a single.
KXIP 71/1 after 10 overs.
9.1 Short delivery and Mandeep pulls the ball to deep midwicket for 2 runs.
9.2 Short ball and Mandeep goes for cut but misses.
9.3 Short delivery and Mandeep plays the balls down to long on for a single.
9.4 Short ball and Rahul pushes the ball through cover for a single.
9.5 Short ball on middle. Mandeep pushes the ball down to long on for a single.
9.6 Short delivery and Rahul cuts the ball to backward point.
KXIP 66/1 after 9 overs.
Piyush Chawla to bowl. Mayank is on strike.
8.1 WICKET! Agarwal c Sam Curran b Chawla 26(19)
Short ball outside off stump. Mayank rocks back in his crease and pulls the ball to deep midwicket. The ball flies straight into the hands on Sam Curran.
Mandeep iSingh the new batsman.
8.2 Short delivery outsdie off stump. Rahul drives the ball to long off for a single.
8.3 Short delivery and Mandeep goes on the backfoot to punch tehe ball down the ground for a single.
8.4 Short ball and Mandeep plays the ball to leg side for 2 runs.
8.5 Leg break and Mandeep cuts the ball to backward point.
8.6 Fuller delivery and Mandeep plays the ball down to long off for a single.
KXIP 61/0 after 8 overs.
Jadeja to bowl. Rahul is on strike.
7.1 Short ball on middle stump. Rahul plays the ball down to long on for a single.
7.2 Fuller delivery. Mayank goes for drive. The ball goes high in the aire Faf du Plessis almost reaches the ball but cannot take the catch. The batsman takes a single.
7.3 Short ball and Rahul cuts the ball to the fielder at short third.
7.4 Fuller delivery and Rahul nudges the ball to leg side.
7.5 Fallter delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball to point for a single.
7.6 Short ball and Mayank plays the ball to long on for a single.
KXIP 55/0 after 7 overs.
Dwayne Bravo to bowl. Rahul is on strike.
6.1 Fuller delivery on middle and leg stump. Rahul plays the ball just in front on him and takes a single.
6.1 WIDE! Poor ball. Short and way down the leg side.
6.1 WIDE! Another ball which goes way down the leg side.
6.2 Good length delivery outside off stump. Mayank plays the ball to third man for a single.
6.3 Short ball on middle stump. Rahul pushes the ball back to Bravo.
6.4 Slow yorker. Rahul digs the ball out.
6.5 FOUR! Short ball outside off stump. Rahul opens the face of the bat to send the ball through backward point for a boundary.
6.6 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul plays the ball down to long on for a single.
KXIP 46/0 after 6 overs.
Shardul Thakur to bowl. Mayank is on strike.
5.1 FOUR! Short ball on middle stump. Mayank pulls the ball of the front foot to send the ball over midwicket for a boundary.
5.2 Good length delivery on off stump. Mayank plays the ball to off side for a single.
5.3 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul plays the ball to mid on and takes a single.
5.4 Short delivery wide outside off stump. Mayank guides the ball through backward point for a single.
5.5 Fuller delivery on middle and off. Rahul presses the ball and Thakur stops the ball.
5.6 Good length delivery outside off. Rahul drives the ball through off side for a single.
KXIP 38/0 after 5 overs.
Chahar to bowl his third over. Mayank is on strike
4.1 Short delivery on middle stump. Mayank presents full face of his bat to block the ball.
4.2 FOUR! Cracked through off side. Fuller delivery outside off stump. Mayank clears his front leg and slaps the ball through cover for a boundary.
4.3 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Mayank plays the ball to midwicket for a single.
4.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul guides the ball down to third man for a single.
4.5 1 Leg Bye! Slow full delivery going down leg stump. The ball hits the pads and goes to leg side. The batsman takes a single.
4.6 Short delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball to off side.
KXIP 31/0 after 4 overs.
Curran continues. Rahul is on strike.
3.1 Fuller delivery outsdie off stump. Rahul drives the ball to off side and takes a single.
3.2 Shortish delivery on middle stump. Mayank plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
3.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball to leg side for a single.
3.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Mayank aims to clear cover but the ball takes thick outside edge and goes down to third man for a boundary.
3.5 Fuller delivery and Mayank pushes the ball to cover for a single.
3.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery outsdie off stump. Rahul crunches the ball through backward point for a boundary.
KXIP 19/0 after 3 overs.
Chahar continues to bowl. KL Rahul is on strike.
2.1 Good length delivery on middle stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot to push the ball.
2.2 Short delivery on middle stump. Rahul works the ball to fine leg and gets 2 runs.
2.3 FOUR! Short delivery outside off stump. Rahul makes the most of the room available. He cuts the ball to send through backward point for a boundary.
2.4 Short delivery outside off stump. Rahul gets the underage of his bat on to the ball and the ball goes to off side.
2.5 Short delivery nipping back in. Rahul plays the ball on the off side. Rahul and Mayank change ends quickly to complete a single.
2.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Mayank plays the ball to third man for a single.
KXIP 12/0 after 2 overs.
Sam Curran to bowl from the other end. Mayank is on strike.
1.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Mayank drives the ball through the off side for 2 runs.
1.2 Short delivery on middle and leg. Mayank plays the ball to backward point for a single.
1.3 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul punishes the ball by driving it through off side for a boundary.
1.4 Good length delivery on middle stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot to block the ball.
1.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball to mid off for a single.
1.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Mayank wants to drive the ball but the ball goes past him.
KXIP 4/0 after 1 over.
Deepak Chahar to bowl the first over for CSK. KL Rahul is on strike.
0.1 Good length delivery on middle stump. Rahul pushes the ball through backward point for 2 runs.
0.2 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul pushes the ball back to Chahar.
0.3 Good length delivery on middle stump. Rahul plays the ball to off side.
0.4 Slightly short delivery on middle stump. Rahul guides the ball to Jadeja at point.
0.5 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul pushes the ball to sweeper cover and takes a single.
0.6 Good length delivery outside off stump. Mayank drives the ball to cover and takes a single.
The two umpires make their way to the middle. CSK players are in a huddle with MS Dhoni giving final bits of instrucstions to his team. And out walk KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to open the inning for KXIP.
Live action is about to get underway!
CSK Playing XI
Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni(w/c), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar
KXIP Playing XI
KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Khan, Chris Jordan, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell
MS Dhoni: I think we have played decent cricket. We need to get a good start and we need to get better at the death. It's easier to break things into smaller stuff. We are playing with the same team, happy with the same combination. The side looks balanced and it looks good. We wanted to bat first, but happy to bat second. We are the most experienced team when it comes to chasing. The morale is high, that's a good thing. I feel the support staff and the players' attitude matters, it makes the job easy for us.
KL Rahul: We'll bat first. Looks a pretty good wicket, hope it gets a little slower too. If we put a big total, it will put some pressure on them. Lots of positives to think of and be proud of. It can all change quickly. We need to get the momentum. We have three changes.
Toss
KXIP captain KL Rahul wins the toss and opts to bat.
Deccan Herald’s Dream XI
Before the start of every match DH brings to you the Deccan Herald's Dream XI. The team is the combined XI comprising of the best 11 players which can fetch you maximum points in Fantasy Cricket. And this is our tonight's team. Which of these players have you picked in your IPL fantasy teams?
KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Faf du Plessis, Nicholas Pooran, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Sam Curran, Piyush Chawla, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammad Shami, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir
Impact player for CSK
Sam Curran: The bowling all-rounder has got five wickets and played some useful knocks. He could be CSK’s game-changer.
Impact player for KXIP
Mohammad Shami:The Indian pacer has eight wickets this season with an economy of 7.86 and an average of 14.75. He should be the one to bail KXIP out of trouble.
CSK Threats:Will this be the year they don't make it? CSK is the only team that has qualified for the playoffs in every season in which they've competed. With so many issues to iron out, the team is on the brink of not advancing for the first time.
CSK Opportunities: Imran Tahir needs to play. A champion bowler on the bench is a waste of resources. Tahir can take wickets at any stage of the innings.
CSK Weaknesses:Their immediate concern is the weak batting. Shane Watson is looking out of sorts. Murali Vijay has done nothing to justify his place. Kedar Jadhav is still searching for his rhythm. MS Dhoni keeps moving up and down the order. Ruturaj Gaikwad needs more time in the middle.
CSK Strengths:The bowling is looking good for CSK. Deepak Chahar, Sam Curran and Piyush Chawla have so far snagged five wickets each. With Dwayne Bravo fit and back in the playing XI, the bowling has an added sting.
The SWOT anaylsis of CSK
KXIP Threats:With one win from four matches, there is enormous pressure on Rahul to deliver as a batsman, a wicketkeeper and as captain. Maybe he can hand over the gloves to Pooran to relieve himself of part of the burden.
KXIP Opportunities:The excitement of Maxwell has quickly faded away. It's time to give Chris Gayle a go. He could open with Rahul and Agarwal could come in at no. 3. Gayle is a T20 legend and has a unique gift. He can shake up the bowlers by just showing up.
KXIP Weaknesses:The rest of the batsmen have not shown up. Karun Nair, Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Khan and Nicholas Pooran should make their presence felt.
KXIP Strengths:The form of K L Rahul and Mayank Agarwal is the biggest positive. The two are leading the batting charts. When they get going, things become simpler for the rest of the team.
The SWOT analysis of KXIP
Form Guide (last five matches)
Kings XI Punjab: L-L-W-L-W
Chennai Super Kings: L-L-L-W-L
Head to Head
Matches Played: 22
Kings XI Punjab: 13
Chennai Super Kings: 9
Historically CSK has dominated this fixture. Will they be able to record yet another win over KXIP or will KXIP close the gap?
Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings have had difficult start to their season and have managed mere one win from their first four matches. Both teams have just 2 points. But KXIP are better placed than CSK on the points table. KXIP are seventh thanks to their better NRR of +0.521. CSK are at the foot of the table and they have a NRR of -0.719. Naturally, tonight's fixture is vital for both the teams.
Good evening and welcome to the coverage of match 18 of the 2020 Indian Premier League. Tonight Kings XI Punjab face Chennai Super Kings at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. As we build towards the start of the match, you could also follow the coverage of match 17 happening between Mumbai Indians and Sunriseres Hyderabad at Sharjah here.
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Dhoni, who has played every edition of the League since its inception, is into his 11th season with CSK, a side he has always captained apart from playing two seasons for Rising Pune Supergiant.
IPL 2020 Points Table: DC go on top of the table
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Fight to get off the bottom rung | IPL 2020 Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings: SWOT Analysis
KL Rahul and MS Dhoni will both be desperate for a win when the Kings XI Punjab and the Chennai Super Kings lock horns at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in match 18 of the Indian Premier League.