Jadeja's last-ball six spoils KKR’s party
'Sir' Ravindra Jadeja joined an elite list of cricketers by hitting a six off the last ball to seal the win for his team. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spoilt Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) party by defeating it in a thrilling league match in the ongoing IPL-13.
CSK gained two points but the loss meant that the road to play-offs has become tougher for KKR. Actress Juhi Chawla, its co-owner, was almost in tears as CSK’s chase of a not-so-tough target turned into an edge-of-the-seat thriller in a manner that’s so typical of CSK!
MSD opts to bowl first
MSD had read the conditions well enough to ask KKR to bat after winning the toss. Though the decision (not to bat first) raised quite a few eyebrows, it turned out to be a master stroke as KKR bowlers found it very tough to grip the ball in view of the 'dew' factor.
Nitish leads the way for KKR
KKR didn’t lose any wicket in the power-play. Gill, chosen for India’s Test and ODI squads for Oz tour, made a 17-ball 26 while Sunil Narine (sent in as No.3) made just 6. It was Nitish Rana, who opened with Gill, who held the innings together with a flurry of fours and sixes. He got out in the beginning of the 18th over after making a fine 61-ball 87 which had ten 4’s and four 6’s. Morgan and Dinesh provided some late flourish to the innings to help KKR reach 172/5. Ngidi picked up two wickets while Sam Curran and Jadeja were very economical.
Ruturaj leads the chase
Chasing a par score of 173 could always prove tricky especially against the likes of Cummins, Ferguson and Sunil Narine. 23-year old Ruturaj Gaikwad, last match’s ‘Man of the Match’, walked in to open with Watson. The duo added 50 runs together when Watson fell for 14. No.3 Rayudu and Gaikwad put on a brisk 68-run partnership in just 37 balls and when Rayudu got out for a well made 20-ball 38, CSK just needed 55 runs in 38 balls, which is not a ‘tall order’ in T20s.
MSD walked in, struggled against ‘mystery’ spinner Varun and got bowled eventually (twice in two matches that Varun has scalped ‘Thala’) to make the chase tougher. Sam Curran joined Gaikwad, who played spinners and pacers with ease. His calm attitude helped him make a 53-ball 72 with six 4’s and two 6’s. Ruturaj got out at the wrong time with CSK needing 33 off 16 balls. In-walked ‘Sir’ Jadeja. The two south-paws took CSK home.
Ferguson crumbles
Ferguson bowled the 19th over when 28 were needed. He gave away 18 runs including a no-ball, a six off a free-hit, etc. Nagarkoti had just 10 to defend in the last over. Jadeja tonked the last two balls to huge sixes to hand-over an exciting win for CSK and proudly patted his jersey after hitting the winning shot!
CSK now meets KXIP on Sunday in its last league match!
Match in brief:
KKR: 172/5 (20 overs)
CSK: 178/4 (20 overs)
Man of the Match: Ruturaj Gaikwad