Andre Russell and Pat Cummins’ dazzling half-centuries went in vain as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fell 18 runs short of the target set up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to register their second victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
CSK posted a mammoth total of 220/4, courtesy a brilliant opening stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis. Deepak Chahar wreaked havoc with the new ball, reducing KKR to 31/5 inside the Powerplay. Russell and Dinesh Karthik then added 81 in just 39 deliveries to bring KKR back into the chase. Cummins made 66 off 34 balls but failed to guide his team across the target.
Du Plessis and Ruturaj added 115 runs for the first-wicket partnership.
Congratulations to @ChennaiIPL on their hat-trick victory. Master class from @faf1307 #Rituraj and #DeepakChahar #LungiNgidi #CSKvKKR #IPL2021
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) April 21, 2021
Cummins’ valiant efforts are recognised by the cricketing fandom.
So near yet so far. That was an incredible innings from Pat Cummins. Could have been the greatest ever IPL chase. But to get from 31 for 5 to 202, @KKRiders can be very proud. Congratulations to @ChennaiIPL on the win. They are on a roll. #CSKvsKKR pic.twitter.com/miAqq1Fwb6
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) April 21, 2021
Rahul Chahar shows his affection for his double-cousin Deepak, who was almost unplayable in his first spell.
What a spell my brother @deepak_chahar9 🙌🏻 So proud and happy for you. Totally on fire 🔥#CSKvsKKR
— Rahul Chahar (@rdchahar1) April 21, 2021
This victory propelled CSK to the top of the points table.
#Dhoni's CSK are back at the 🔝! When mighty efforts by Russell and Cummins wasn't enough for win, you know CSK played like old CSK.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 21, 2021
Karthik, Russell and Cummins added 160 runs in 80 balls.
With the help of four sixes and a four, Cummins scored 30 runs off Sam Curran’s over.
Batsmen scoring 30+ runs off a bowler in an over in IPL:
36 – Gayle off Parameswaran
32 – Raina off Awana
30 – Sehwag off Symonds
30 – S Marsh off van der Wath
30 – Gayle off Rahul Sharma
30 – Kohli off S Kaushik
30 – Tewatia off Cottrell
30 – Cummins off Curran#IPL2021— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 21, 2021