Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab, Indian Premier League 2020 Match 53: In Pics

Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab by 9 wickets. Gaikwad hit a boundary of Shami's final over and then was lucky to get another from a leg bye. With 5 runs needed from 12 balls, the duo strolled to victory with 5 singles.

 Kings XI Punjab, thus were out of the playoffs race. Their barren run earlier on in the tournament came back to haunt them. Chennai Super Kings played the spoilers and found a gem for the future in the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was awarded the man of the match trophy for his anchoring knock.

This was the last game of this edition for both these sides, with CSK already being out of reckoning for a playoff berth. (Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

The duo of opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu engaged in a brilliant 72-run opening stand to ensure a huge victory for CSK. While the well set Gaikwad was the aggressor, Rayudu showed his experience - remaining unbeaten on 30 off 30 balls. 

The duo dispatched any bad delivery for four and did well to ensure that atleast one boundary came off each over. Gaikwad carried his bat, finishing at 62* (off 49 balls; 4x6, 6x1).

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Ruturaj Gaikwad carried his bat, remaining unbeaten on 62 (off 49 balls; 4x6, 6x1). This was his third consecutive half-century although, CSK fans would be dismayed as to why he wasn't given more chances earlier on. 

Gaikwad stitched a 82-run opening stand and followed it up with another 72-run partnership alongside Rayudu to take his side home.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Faf du Plessis was finally dismissed in the 10th over. He tried to go for another reverse scoop but Chris Jordan anticipated it and took the pace off the ball. KL Rahul took an easy catch and seemingly taunted the third umpire by sarcastically asking whether this is out or not.

Just two overs prior, Gaikwad was given out with Mandeep taking a low catch but the third umpire had reversed the decision much to KL Rahul and Kings XI's dismay.

du Plessis made 48 off 34 balls.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@lionsdenkxip)

Faf du Plessis marked his return to the playing XI with a mature knock of 48 runs (off 34 balls) that was filled with strokes and calculative risks. 

The duo of du Plessis and Gaikwad engaged in a solid 82-run opening stand where they took the KXIP bowlers to the cleaners- making use of the powerplay restrictions. 

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Kings XI Punjab posted a competitive total of 153/6 against Chennai Super Kings.

It was Deepak Hooda who single-handedly took them to this par total with a brilliant knock of 62* off just 30 balls. He hit a four and then a six off Ngidi's final over to take KXIP beyond 150. 73 runs came from the last 7 overs thanks to Hooda's big hits.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Deepak Hooda showcased his worth in this crucial game with a rapid-fire knock of 62* (off 30 balls; 4x3, 6x4) which rescued the innings for his side and took them to a competitive total. Hooda mounted a fine counter-attack at a time when KXIP looked down and out after having lost three quick wickets in the middle overs.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Imran Tahir turned the screws in the middle and piled on the pressure upon the KXIP batsmen after the wickets of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. 

KXIP batsmen found it very hard to read the seasoned Tahir. The South African leggie then picked-up the big wicket of the in-form Chris Gayle- trapping him plumb infront. Tahir returned with figures of 4-0-24-1.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

CSK pacer Lungi Ngidi brought his side right back into the game after KXIP openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal had given a strong start.

Ngidi removed Agarwal for 26 (off 15 balls) first with a cross-seamed delivery that angled in to Agarwal who inside-edged it onto his own stumps.

Ngidi followed it up by then bowling out KL Rahul for 29 (off 27 balls)- who was completely outfoxed by a yorker length slower ball. 

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

The in-form duo of Rahul and Agarwal gave a very sloid start to KXIP in this must win game. The duo engaged in a 48-run opening stand with Agarwal especially looking good on his return from injury. 

He fully utilised the opening powerplay and hit the CSK bowlers over the top. It was Ngidi who dismissed the dangerous looking Agarwal for 26 (off 15 ball).

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Kings XI Punjab had to win this crucial game otherwise they would be out of the IPL 2020 playoffs contention.

Kings XI made two changes: Mayank Agarwal and Jimmy Neesham replaced Arshdeep Singh and Glenn Maxwell respectively. The in-form Agarwal's return came as a huge boost to KXIP's fortunes.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)

Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first.

CSK made three changes to their playing XI for their final game of IPL 2020 - Having already missed out on a playoff berth. Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir and Shardul Thakur replaced Shane Watson, Mitchell Santner and Karn Sharma respectively. 

CSK were boosted by the return of a fit again Faf du Plessis.

(Image Credits: Twitter/@IPL)