Chennai Super Kings (CSK) roared in style in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) when Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) was demolished for 10 wickets in Dubai. MS Dhoni’s men had lost three games in a row after a victory in the 2020 IPL opener against the Mumbai Indians last month, a first instance in which CSK lost so many consecutive games since 2014. However, the three-time champions didn’t look like the slow running train since his last three games and he raced to his 179 goal in just 17.4 overs. Two of its leading statesmen, Shane Watson (83 not out) and Faf du Plessis (87 not out) led the way as they put together an uninterrupted opening position.
Watson had been particularly under pressure after scores of 1, 14, 33 and 4 so far in the tournament, but he took the lead Sunday night by taking his time during the Powerplay, even as du Plessis advanced on the other end, and then he brought his full range of shots when field restrictions eased.
Du Plessis led Chris Jordan to four four in the sixth plus as CSK finished Powerplay 60/0 and was in command.
KXIP skipper KL Rahul tried all his options with pace and spin, but was able to break the barrier between the two Super Kings when CSK raced to 101/0 in 10 overs.
Watson hit Jordan for four in a row, choking Ravi Bishnoi and hitting Sheldon Cottrell for six in a row, while lifting his first 50 at IPL 2020 with just 31 balls.
Du Plessis got his fifty in 33 balls, as CSK was left with just 29 to enter the final five overs.
The South African danced to the goal at the end, coming in with a four and a six from Mohammed Shami in the 18th finished.
Earlier, KXIP won the draw and chose to hit. Rahul led from the front with half a century: he made 63 with 52 balls.
Promoted
Mayank Agarwal (26 of 19), Mandeep Singh (27 of 16) and Nicholas Pooran (33 of 17) gave their captain good support in the middle as Punjab finished with a competitive 178/4.
Shardul Thakur took 2/39 for CSK, while Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla returned with a wicket each.
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