November 25, 2024

Who Won IPL 2021 Between Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Make that four! 2010, 2011, 2018 & 2021! 

In the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 final in Dubai, MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) claimed their fourth IPL title with a commanding 27-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). CSK set a formidable total of 192/3, thanks to a brilliant 86 from Faf du Plessis. Despite KKR’s strong start, CSK’s bowlers restricted them to 165/9, securing the win and the title.

KKR’s chase began with Shubman Gill driving the first legitimate delivery for a four. Venkatesh Iyer, fortunate when MS Dhoni couldn’t hold onto a catch in the second over, capitalized on the chance. Iyer launched an aggressive counterattack, smashing three fours and a six by the end of the fourth over. The opening partnership between Iyer and Gill flourished, with KKR reaching 55/0 after the first six overs, keeping the chase alive.

Despite CSK’s efforts to keep things tight, KKR’s openers Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer added 16 runs in the 10th over, with Iyer reaching his fourth half-century of the season. A spider-cam string also helped Gill avoid a potential dismissal, as KKR moved to 88/0 at the halfway stage of the chase. However, CSK struck back in the 11th over, with Shardul Thakur removing Iyer through a stunning catch by Ravindra Jadeja in the deep. Thakur also dismissed Nitish Rana, with Faf du Plessis taking a fine low catch, leaving KKR at 88/2.

Follow for the latest cricket news.

CSK’s Bowling Dominance Secures Fourth IPL Title with Key Wickets

The match swung further in CSK’s favor in the next over when Josh Hazlewood got rid of Sunil Narine, with Jadeja taking a brilliant catch near the boundary. In a span of just nine runs, CSK had picked up three crucial wickets. Gill brought up his half-century, but CSK continued to press, with Deepak Chahar trapping the KKR opener LBW in the 14th over. Jadeja then took center stage, dismissing Dinesh Karthik and Shakib Al Hasan in a key double-wicket over, putting KKR firmly on the back foot.

Shardul Thakur claimed his third wicket by dismissing Rahul Tripathi, and Josh Hazlewood followed suit by picking up his second wicket when Deepak Chahar took a spectacular catch near the ropes to dismiss Eoin Morgan in the 17th over. Despite a late flourish from Shivam Mavi and Lockie Ferguson, who added 39 runs, it was too little, too late. CSK successfully sealed the victory, claiming their fourth IPL title in a dominant performance.

Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who chose to bowl, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) both remained unchanged. Shakib Al Hasan and Shivam Mavi started well, keeping the pressure on in the opening overs. KKR nearly got the breakthrough in the third over when Dinesh Karthik missed an opportunity to dismiss Faf du Plessis, who was given a second chance. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad found his rhythm, hitting a four and a six in the same over to get CSK’s innings underway.

Du Plessis and Moeen Power CSK to 192/3 Despite KKR’s Fightback

Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad added a four each in the following over, completing another solid fifty-run partnership by the final ball of the powerplay. However, just 11 runs later, KKR struck back as Sunil Narine dismissed Gaikwad, with Shivam Mavi taking a catch in the deep. Despite the setback, CSK intensified their attack in the 10th over. Du Plessis and Robin Uthappa both hit a six off Shakib Al Hasan, helping CSK reach 80/1 at the halfway stage. The duo then continued their onslaught, bringing up a rapid 50-run partnership off just 25 balls, with du Plessis marking his 100th IPL game by bringing up his 22nd IPL half-century.

Sunil Narine once again provided a breakthrough for KKR, dismissing Robin Uthappa before the wickets to give Eoin Morgan’s side their second wicket. Despite this, CSK maintained their momentum as Faf du Plessis continued his brilliant innings, joined by Moeen Ali. The pair capitalized on every opportunity, targeting the KKR bowlers and adding a third consecutive fifty-plus partnership for CSK in the final. Du Plessis and Moeen’s aggressive batting in the latter stages of the innings pushed CSK to a strong total.

Du Plessis eventually fell on the last ball of the innings after a superb 86, while Moeen contributed a quickfire 37* off 20 balls. Together, they scored 61 runs in the final five overs, helping CSK reach a total of 192/3. Despite a valiant effort from KKR, who saw Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer score 51 and 50 respectively, CSK’s total proved too much as they sealed a 27-run victory.

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 192/3 (Faf du Plessis 86, Moeen Ali 37*; Sunil Narine 2/26) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 165/9 (Shubman Gill 51, Venkatesh Iyer 50; Shardul Thakur 3/38) by 27 runs.

Read More: Who Won IPL 2021 Between Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders