It was the battle of ‘KINGS’ on a super Sunday as the Kings XI Punjab locked horns with the Chennai Super Kings in Mohali. Having suffered a heart-wrenching defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore two days ago, the KXIP side made a stellar comeback to register a nerve-wrecking 4-run victory over CSK.
Following the trend of the ongoing IPL season, CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first. However, his decision was very shortly proved to a questionable one as KXIP openers – Chris Gayle and KL Rahul started to tonk the ball from the very first over.
Playing his first match in this year’s IPL, Gayle scored a blazing 63 runs off 33 balls while Rahul carried on his good form with a strokeful 22-ball 37. Cameos from Mayank Agarwal (30 runs off 19 balls) and Karun Nair (29 runs off 17 balls) ensured that KXIP set a mammoth target of 198 for the Chennai Super Kings.
In reply, CSK didn’t look in control at the start as they lost both their openers – Shane Watson and Murali Vijay – for just 39. The hero of Chennai’s thrilling win against KKR, Sam Billings (9 runs off 8 balls) couldn’t repeat his heroics as well. However, skipper MS Dhoni was determined to do well as he first added a 57-run stand for the fourth wicket with Ambati Rayudu and then followed it up with a 50-run partnership with Jadeja.
Requiring 43 from 14 deliveries, CSK fell short by just 4 runs as Dhoni remained unbeaten on a stupendous 44-ball 79 runs, laced with 6 fours and 5 sixes.
Twitteratis were in awe after seeing the way Dhoni rewind the clock to put on a show. Here are some of the top tweets hailing the CSK skipper despite their agonizing defeat.
Dhoni’s knock was a wonderful reminder of what he can do if he bats higher up the order....most bowlers still don’t know where to bowl to him in the death overs. You see fear in their eyes... #Mahi #KXIPvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 15, 2018
@msdhoni Bhai You are champion ???????????????????????? hard Luck but that inning was absolutely Amazing and outstanding to Watch ????????????????????????????????????????
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) April 15, 2018
CSK loses, but Dhoni clearly the winner tonight. Unbelievable knock! ????????????#CSKvsKXIP
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 15, 2018
CSK is dealing exclusively in last over finishes #KXIPvCSK
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 15, 2018
Man! Never a dull moment with MSD. What an effort ???? A good win this for KXIP.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 15, 2018
Right, now for a cup of tea to settle the heart rate. Super Sunday and two bat first teams win. What entertainment though. #VIVOIPL2018 ????????. On to @KKRiders vs @DelhiDaredevils
— ian bishop (@irbishi) April 15, 2018
Congratulations to the boys. Good to win this. Excellent knock from Dhoni ,kept everybody on the edge of their seats. But Chris Gayle ,the Universe Boss was magnificent. Our spinners did well to contain in the middle overs. #KXIPvCSK
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 15, 2018
What a brilliant innings from @msdhoni in this exciting encounter! Great effort from both the sides and congratulations to KXIP for winning the last ball thriller. #IPL18 #KXIPvCSK #StarSports
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) April 15, 2018
You get to learn a lot when you see such exhibition of sportsmanship. Some time result is not in your favour... but the intent matters. #Dhoni #KXIPvCSK #VIVOIPL
— Prragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 15, 2018