KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan’s laborious efforts went in vain as Chennai Super Kings held their nerves to beat Kings XI Punjab by 22 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a modest 161-run target, the visitors received early jolts from Harbhajan Singh (4-1-17-2) before Rahul (55 off 47) and Sarfaraz (67 off 59) anchored the Punjab innings with a crucial 110-run stand for the second wicket. However, it was not enough to help them cross the line as CSK registered th🐲eir fourth win in the IPL 2019 from five matches.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis (54 off 38) hit a fine half-century up the order while skipper MS Dhoni (37 not out, 23 balls) and Ambati Rayudu ((21 not out, 15 balls) provided the late flourish to help the yellow army post a competitive 160 for three against Ravichandran Ashwin & Co.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
It’s not long before teams start ‘retiring out’ batsmen if they are going too slow….happening very often this
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Kings XI Punjab Choke Slammed by 𝔍Dhoni &. Company. The Option of 3 Spinners vs 2 did the trick. It baffles me that Ashwin who knows the place and the surface well still went with onlyဣ two
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
Brilliant bowlinꦗg by young ! What control ! Shabash Shabash !
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye)
Superb defence of par score by CSK. Spinners immaculate and economical, fast bowlers ♎who went for plenty at the start, redeemed thenselves at the ‘death’. Most impressive wa🍃s the approach: composed, confident, calculated. As if they always believed they would win. And did!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Well as Rahu🔴l and Sarfarಞaz batted, they have ended up losing the game for . Had to go after spin once set.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
We never really got going towards the end. 😔
Hope to bounce back ♕stronger in the 🐓next match. 🙌🏻
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
The ✤metal in the deserved hands of Bhajju pa! 🦁💛
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
//twitter.com/FaajiFazil/status/11🐠14539616705507328
Please Anyone Give Than Main of the Match KL Rahul & Sarfaraz.
What a player. Play Selfies.
@lionsdenkxip
— Swarup upadhyay (@ImSwarupUp)
KL Rahul & Sarfraz both of them played too many singles during 13-17 overs ca♛use the match.
— Rimas Razeek (@rimasafridi)
//twitter.com/fakarnot/status/1114531378681401344
//twitter.com/SassyPiran𒈔ha/status/111🌠4531467638394880