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| Photo: BCCI & IPL |
Match Summary:
Chennai Super Kings Innings: After winning the toss and electing to bat, Chennai Super Kings started aggressively with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking on left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan in the powerplay, scoring two boundaries and a six. Gaikwad’s 32 off 27 provided a solid start before he fell to Sunil Narine in the 9th over. Faf du Plessis then took charge, anchoring the innings with a brilliant 86 runs. Robin Uthappa (25) supported him well, and later Moeen Ali’s quickfire 37* off 17 balls propelled CSK to a formidable total of 192/3 in their 20 overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings: In response, KKR started strongly with openers Shubman Gill (51) and Venkatesh Iyer (50) putting up a 91-run partnership in 10.4 overs. However, once Shardul Thakur dismissed Iyer and then Nitish Rana (first-ball duck), the momentum shifted towards CSK. Thakur’s crucial wickets dented KKR’s chase significantly. Despite contributions from lower-order batsmen, including Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik, KKR managed only 165/9 in their 20 overs, falling short by 27 runs.
Key Moments:
du Plessis’ Heroics: Faf du Plessis played a crucial innings, scoring 86 runs off 59 balls, which included 4 sixes and 6 fours. His partnership with Uthappa and quick runs towards the end powered CSK to a competitive total. This innings underscored du Plessis’ ability to perform in high-pressure finals.
Gaikwad’s Aggression: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s aggressive start in the powerplay against Shakib set the tone for CSK’s innings. His attacking approach helped CSK capitalize on the field restrictions early on.
Thakur’s Impact: Shardul Thakur’s spell was pivotal in CSK’s victory. His timely strikes, including the dismissals of Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana in quick succession, broke KKR’s middle-order and shifted momentum firmly in CSK’s favor.
KKR’s Fielding Lapses: Kolkata Knight Riders’ fielding and bowling were not up to the mark in the final. Dropped catches, missed opportunities, and expensive spells from key bowlers like Lockie Ferguson allowed CSK to build a substantial total, which ultimately proved too challenging for KKR to chase down.
CSK’s Bowling Strategy: MS Dhoni’s bowling changes and the team’s overall strategy to contain KKR’s batsmen in the middle overs paid dividends. Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Chahar contributed crucial wickets, with Jadeja dismissing Dinesh Karthik and Shakib Al Hasan in the same over to further dent KKR’s hopes.
Conclusion:
Chennai Super Kings’ victory in the IPL 2021 final showcased their dominance throughout the tournament and their ability to perform under pressure in key matches. Faf du Plessis’ stellar innings and Shardul Thakur’s impactful bowling were instrumental in securing their fourth IPL title. In contrast, Kolkata Knight Riders’ fielding lapses and the inability of their middle-order batsmen to sustain partnerships cost them dearly in their pursuit of the title. CSK’s comprehensive performance ensured they ended the season on a high, reaffirming their status as one of the most successful teams in IPL history.
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