Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in the 5th match of IPL 2018 by 5 wickets in a high scoring thriller at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai just a few minutes ago. CSK captain MS Dhoni won the toss and invited Kolkata Knight Riders into bat. Andre Russell played one of the best innings of IPL 2018 so far scoring 88 off 36 balls helping KKR post a massive total of 202. Chasing 203, Shane Watson gave a solid foundation to CSK. Despite losing the momentum in middle overs, Sam Billings played a gem of innings, Jadeja hit a six to win the match for CSK.
Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to first at Chepauk. Sunil Narine hit 2 sixes in the first over, was dismissed soon after in the 2nd over by Harbhajan Singh. Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn continued to put pressure on CSK bowlers. Before the end of powerplay overs, Ravindra Jadeja dismissed dangerous Chris Lynn for 22 runs. KKR scored 64 for 2 in 6 overs.
After the powerplay overs, Chennai Super Kings picked 3 quick wickets in succession to leave KKR at 89 for 5. The West Indies hard-hitting batsman Andre Russell took on the charge and smashed the CSK bowlers to all parts of the ground. Andre Russell completed his half-century off just 26 balls and continued to make the batting look easy. KKR posted a massive total of 202 for 5. Russell remained not out on 88 off 36 balls with 1 fours and 11 sixes.
Chasing 203, CSK openers Shane Watson and Rayadu provided a blazing start. Watson looked in great touch hitting sixes and fours with ease. Shane Watson was dismissed for quick fire 42 off 19 balls. At the end of six overs, CSK scored 75 for 1. Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers picked wickets of Rayadu, Raina who was struggling due to an injury.
Raina struggled and was dismissed for 14 runs. Mahendra Singh Dhoni also struggled for timing. Sam Billings came to the crease, changed the momentum of the game with his innovative hitting. Dhoni also smashed 2 sixes of Kuldeep Yadav bowling.
Captain MS Dhoni was dismissed for 25. With 42 runs required off 18 balls, Sam Billings created pressure on Kolkata Knight Bowlers. The England batsman reached his half-century off 21 balls.
With 17 runs required off final over, Bravo smashed a six off Vinay Kumar bowling. With 4 runs needed off 2 balls, Jadeja hit a six to win the match by 5 wickets with 1 ball to spare.
CSK won their second game in succession. The crowd support at Chennai was superb as they were playing a home match after 2 years.
CSK 207 for 5 in 19.5 overs ( Watson 42, Billings 56, Rayadu 39, Tom Curran 2/39) beat
KKR 202 for 6 in 20 overs ( Andre Russell 88*, Robin Uthappa 29, Dinesh Karthik 26, Shane Watson 2/39) by 5 wickets.
CSK captain MS Dhoni said: It feels great to win a match at home after 2 years. Both sides played well with the batting department. Sam Billings batted brilliantly when the pressure was on. Bowlers from both sides had a tough time.
KKR captain Dinesh Karthik said: CSK had great support. Not to defend 202 was frustrating. Andre Russell knock was special as these things happen in T20 Cricket. We need to take positives out of this game and not repeat these mistakes in coming games.
Man of the Match Sam Billings said: It was a pleasure to play with legends like Raina, Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh. In the first game against Mumbai Indians, Bravo took the game deep and helped CSK win the match. We need to keep our options open. With power hitters like Dhoni, Jadeja, Raina no target is big for this batting line up.
The next match will take place between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur tomorrow.