KKR vs CSK

11:45 PM IST: That brings us to the end of Sportskeeda's coverage for this IPL clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Super Kings. KKR would be kicking themselves at letting this game slip especially after picking five CSK wickets inside the powerplay. However this is how T20 cricket goes, that Vaibhav Arora over totally shifted the scales towards CSK and from there on, it was always going to be a tall order for KKR. The bowlers gave their best but Shivam Dube struck some decisive blows in crucial moments of the game to ease the nerves. In the end it was MSD who smashed a colossal six over midwicket to seal the deal for CSK. KKR would need some divine interference to make it to the final four. The IPL carnival continues and it will be the Punjab Kings who will host the Delhi Capitals in the 58th match of the competition. A massive game on our hands and a win for either team will push them closer to the playoffs berth. Like always it was a pleasure bringing all the live coverage from this encounter. For now, this is the pair of Arya Sekhar Chakraborty and Pradeep taking your leave. Goodnight fellas!

Noor Ahmad is the Player of the Match: It was a super win, really happy with my bowling and well done to Dewald Brevis the way we batted and we finished it off very well. I didn't keep my focus of getting the purple, it is all about contributing to the team. The nick from Angkrish I enjoyed the most. Well just trying to use the length well.

MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings captain): What do you mean few? (laughs when asked about a win after a few games). We have just won our third game. Quite a few things which haven't gone our way. It was identifying the problems and finding the remedies rather than thinking too much of what happened. We are trying to think for the next year. Things looking positive as far as batting is concerned. They are backing themselves to play the big shots. You may see the new players in the next in practice games but we are out so they are getting the games. It's not about technically sound batters but who are more game aware. If they can figure out those things, you will be scoring runs for your team. Simple, you had to keep the spinners out of the game. Brevis gave us that luxury and we didn't want to give wickets to Varun and Sunil and let's see what happens from here on. I was the last batter so it becomes very difficult to rotate strike. Shivam took calculated risks. This is the love and affection I get everywhere. I am 43 now. They don't really know when will be the last year for me. Just to see if my body can take the jolts of IPL because I only play two months in a year.

Dewald Brevis [Chennai Super Kings]: "Forever grateful, just want to use this opportunity to thank god. Lots of fun, few quick wickets, had to adapt quickly. It's almost like, you have to sum the conditions quickly and go after the bowling. That's exactly what is important in T20, bad ball or good ball, shouldn't go out of the moment. It's just to keep enjoying it, keep true to myself, play as long as possible, just trust the process. The fans are incredible, great cricket, lots of fun, you get tested as well. It made me very hungry, if you look back a few backs, sitting on the couch and wanted to be there. Trusted in the process, it's all god's plan."

Ajinkya Rahane [Kolkata Knight Riders captain]: "It was a tough thing being on the losing side. We were 10 or 15 runs short. 180 or 190 was ideal on this wicket. Bowlers bowled really well. This format, that is bound to happen, one over here and there, they took their chances, Shivam Dube and Brevis. They were really brave, no complaints at all. It's pretty simple, try to win two out two, see what happens from there."

11:15 PM IST: Chennai Super Kings won by 2 wickets (with two deliveries remaining)

Dewald Brevis 52(25) | Noor Ahmad 4/31(4)
Ajinkya Rahane 48(33) | Vaibhav Arora 3/48(3)

The target of 180 was a tricky one for the Chennai Super Kings and they needed a good start from their new opening pair of Ayush Mhatre and Devon Conway. After a sensational knock from Mhatre against RCB, he was dismissed for a two ball duck by Vaibhav Arora in the first over. Urvil Patel came out next and just blazed his way to a 11 ball 31. 

It didn't look he was making his IPL debut and was so decisive in his ball striking. He smashed a four and four sixes before nicking one full fledged slash to Varun Chakaravathy at short third man who took a brilliant catch. Meanwhile amidst the carnage, Devon Conway was castled by Mooen Ali as CSK were reduced to 37/3 in just three overs. 

Ravichandran Ashwin was sent up the order and was joined by Ravindra Jadeja in the middle. The slide continued as Ashwin ended up chipping one straight to the backward point fielder. Jadeja played some big shots en route to 19 off 10 deliveries before chopping one off Varun Chakaravarthy straight onto his stumps. At 60/5 inside the powerplay, CSK looked dead and buried and needed a stand of significant substance from Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube to bring them back in the game. 

Brevis batted sensbily to start with before going berserk off Vaibhav Arora’s second over, smashing him for 30 runs in the 11th over and that totally turned the game towards the CSK. He completed a brilliant half century and was supported beautifully by Shivam Dube who complemented him by batting second fiddle. Following Brevis’ departure, Dube took the onus on himself to strike the big shots. 

He waited for the loose deliveries and smashed the killer blows just when the required rate was touching 10. He scored 45 off 40 deliveries before an attempted big shot ended his innings in the penultimate over which gave KKR some hope. Vaibhav also took the wicket of Noor Ahmad to finish the 19th over but MS Dhoni was still out in the middle. 

He smashed a six off the very first delivery off the final over bowled by Andre Russell to almost seal the deal. Anshul Kamboj then scorer a boundary off the fourth delivery to see it through for CSK. A much needed win for CSK as nothing has gone their way in the tournament so far. Don't go anywhere, we will be back with the presentation ceremony very soon.

11:12 PM IST: Anshul Kamboj finishes it off in style. He chips it over the mid on fielder and it's CSK who wins their third match of the tournament. KKR still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs but it looks very slim at this stage. KKR was in a dominant position at one stage having got five wickets inside the powerplay, but the knock of Dewald Brevis and the 30 run over totally titled the scales in favour of CSK. There were some nerves towards the end but something to smile atlast for CSK. 

19.4 Andre Russell to Anshul Kamboj, FOUR! CSK CRUSH KKR DREAMS! Chennai Super Kings finally snap their losing streak with a morale-boosting win and, in the process, deal a fatal blow to Kolkata Knight Riders' playoff hopes, knocking them out of IPL! Another one in the slot, Kamboj delivers, smacked it over the top of mid-on, goes one bounce into the ropes to seal the deal.

Dhoni ran on this occasion and just one more needed off the next three deliveries. Dhoni wasn't quite convinced with the tail but denying one more single could have been a bit too risky. 

19.3 Andre Russell to MS Dhoni, nails the yorker on the off-stump, Dhoni digs it out to extra-cover and takes the single this time. Scores are level now!

19.1 Andre Russell to MS Dhoni, SIX! BOOM! MS Dhoni doing it in style for CSK. Dishes out a full toss Dre Russ and Dhoni doesn't miss out as he clubbed it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Just two needed now!