Chennai Super Kings scored 176/6 in 20 overs, where as Lucknow Super Giants scored 180/2 in 19 overs.
So, finally Lucknow Super Giants beat Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets.
Despite another captivating cameo from MS Dhoni, this time propelling CSK to a commendable total on a challenging surface, they ended up on the losing side in Lucknow.
KL Rahul was chiefly responsible for this outcome, hammering a splendid 53-ball 82 during the chase.
Quinton de Kock also contributed with runs as CSK struggled to pick up wickets, ultimately conceding the game in 19 overs.
Shaky Start, Slow Progress for CSK
Ajinkya Rahane, once again sent to open the innings, began with a classic backfoot punch through point on the second ball.
However, scoring runs proved challenging for the defending champions during the Power Play.
Rachin Ravindra’s lean patch extended to five games as he was dismissed on the first ball of the second over by Mohsin Khan while attempting an ambitious shot.
Despite LSG employing pace throughout the Power Play, the batsmen found it difficult to time their shots due to the sluggish nature of the pitch.
Yash Thakur struck in the fifth over, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad for 17 off 13 deliveries.
CSK elevated Ravindra Jadeja, possibly to counter the pace during the Power Play before unleashing Shivam Dube against the spinners in the middle overs.
Rahane managed to find a couple of boundaries off Ravi Bishnoi but fell to Krunal Pandya in the ninth over after scoring a brisk 36 off 24 balls.
This marked the fourth instance in 52 balls that Rahane had fallen to a left-arm spinner in the IPL.
Shivam Dube’s arrival was anticipated for quick runs against the spinners, but he struggled to get going, managing just three runs off his first seven deliveries, all from spinners.
Rahul reverted to pace and even introduced Marcus Stoinis on the challenging surface, which yielded immediate results.
Stoinis struck with his first ball, dismissing Dube caught behind.
CSK then turned to Sameer Rizvi as their impact substitute, but he could only muster one run before being stumped off Krunal.
Rahul managed his bowlers adeptly during the middle overs, restricting CSK to a modest run rate of 6.2 per over.
Dhoni and the Turnaround in the Death Overs
The 42-year-old continued his tradition of captivating the crowd with his six-hitting prowess.
Even before Dhoni’s arrival, Jadeja and Moeen Ali had laid the groundwork for a late surge.
In the 17th over, Jadeja reached his fifty with a six off Mohsin, while Moeen smashed a hat-trick of sixes off Bishnoi, propelling CSK closer to 150.
Moeen departed after a brisk 20-ball 30, but Dhoni took charge and put on a dazzling display.
His quickfire 28 off 9 balls included trademark shots, including a massive six that traveled 101 meters.
Dhoni showcased his innovation with a shuffle-across and a scoop shot over the keeper’s head.
Despite Dhoni’s efforts, CSK could only manage to post 176/6, which proved inadequate in the end.
Rahul, Quinton de Kock Compound CSK’s Woes in the Power Play
With the white ball not swinging much in any venue, Deepak Chahar found himself largely ineffective this season.
Although he replaced Shardul Thakur for this match, he failed to make early breakthroughs to put pressure on the home side during the chase.
Instead, Rahul and de Kock scored freely, surpassing the required rate by the end of the Power Play, amassing 54 runs in six overs.
CSK’s struggles with the ball in the Power Play continued, with 7 wickets at an economy rate of 9.47.
Even Tushar Deshpande, who had been economical this season, couldn’t manage a breakthrough.
Middle-Overs Comfort for LSG
From the seventh over onwards, there was little change, except in the field placements.
Even CSK’s ace, Matheesha Pathirana, couldn’t replicate his wicket-taking form in the middle overs, as the LSG openers comfortably negotiated his bowling, scoring 12 runs off his over.
The opening pair guided LSG to 89/0 at the halfway mark before stepping up the pace against Jadeja.
Rahul reached his fifty with a well-placed cut off Jadeja, while de Kock also accelerated.
Mustafizur Rahman tried to break the partnership with his variations but found no success.
Rahul and de Kock surpassed the 100-run mark for the opening partnership, setting a new record for the venue.
However, de Kock fell short of a century, edging an attempted pull off Mustafizur to Dhoni behind the stumps.
More of the Same in the Death Overs
Despite losing de Kock and Rahul, LSG comfortably chased down the target with an over to spare.
Rahul, who seemed destined for a century, fell 18 runs short, caught brilliantly by Ravindra Jadeja at backward point.
However, before his dismissal, Nicholas Pooran aggressively swung his bat, steering LSG towards a convincing victory.
On the last ball of the penultimate over, from Deshpande, Pooran backed away and lofted the ball over point, sealing a comprehensive victory for LSG.
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