MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) regained the top spot in the standings with an emphatic win over Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 35th match of IPL 2021 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Chasing 157 for victory, CSK started their innings on a very strong note, thanks to Ruturaj Gaikwad (38) and Faf du Plessis (31) who added 71 runs for the opening wicket. RCB captain Kohli took a brilliant catch diving forward off Yuzvendra Chahal to send Gaikwad back to the dugout.
Soon, Glenn Maxwell struck on his first ball of the over and removed the dangerous looking du Plessis. Moeen Ali (23) and Ambati Rayudu (32) then steadied CSK’s chase and took them close to the target. Current ‘Purple Cap’ holder Harshal Patel picked both the wickets as RCB eyed a late comeback. However, Suresh Raina ꧋(1🔥7*) and Dhoni (11*) took their side over the finish line.
CSK now need to win just one game to qualify for the playoffs. They will next face Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed St𝓡adium in Abu 🐽Dhabi on Sunday, September 26.
Earlier, after being put in to bat first, RCB openers – Kohli (53) and Devdutt Padikkal (70) – put on 111 runs for the first wicket, taking RCB total to 90 for no loss in 10 overs. But, RCB could manage just 156/6 in their stipulated 20 overs. The main reason being CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who returned with impressive figures of 3/24 in his quota of 4 overs. Seam bowler Shardul Thakur also bagged two wickets.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
CSK is rocking it. Romba Nalla . Absolutely Brilliant use of Bowlers from Dhoni and a comfortable chase for Chennai.
Deja Vu with Dhoni and Raina finishing it.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
– W W W W W
Any Guesses!?
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
Winning is a way of life for and
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus)
Thala 🤝 Chinna Thala Finish.! 🏁 💛🦁
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
Just one win 💛away from qualifying top run continues.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Con𒆙grats CSK! Very well played. RCBians, it’s not our day, we’ve got some things work out but it ain’t ovꦇer.
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
💛💛💛💛💛💛
Actions speak louder than words..
And they have done it again.. love you boys..!!— 𝑽𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒙𝒎𝒊 𝑺𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕📖𝒉𝒌𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓 (@varusarath5)
September 24, 2007: MSD-led India scored ꦰ1🌳57 & won
September 24, 2021: MSD✱-led CSK scored 157 & won
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
MSD's boys have done it again.
RCB – Feel bad for Virat but tough luck folks.
— Parvati (@paro_nair)
The winning juggernaut continues 👍 Back t🔜o the top of the table again with 7/9 wཧins, 14 points👌
By 6 wkts & with 11 balls to spare
Gaikwa🐠d, FAF, Ali, Rayudu, Raina, Dhoni all of them 👍did their parts. Clinical win! needs to start winning again!
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac)
wins comfortably against by 6 wickets anꩲd emerges table toppers. is invincible!
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50)
Back to back wins at UAE!
TOP of the Table 🔥
— Thusi 🦁 (@thusi_c)
24th Sep
Dhoni as T20 Captain
Result: Victory
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket)
Dhoni and Raina Partnership 💥
— IndiaGlitz – Tamil (@igtamil)
Chennai Super Kings have now won 10 of their last 12 encount♎ers with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
This loss also extends RCB's losing stretch in the UAE to 7 consecutive matches.
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst)
As ou♊r Skipper said, 15-20 runs more and it couldඣ’ve been a different story.
Lots of work to do with 5️⃣ more crucial games coming up. ꦗ
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
