The Chennai Super Kings once again displayed why they are the most consistent team in the Indian Premier League, finishing the league stage this year on the top, with the ninth win of the season.
Chennai defeated the Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets in Mohali to seal the play-off berth in style. The Kings XI, who were already out of the tournament, once again displayed a spineless performance in their last game.
The Kings XI failed to put any fight whatsoever and could only manage to score 130 in 20 overs. On a flat Mohali deck it was always going to be difficult to defend the total and that’s what happened.
Punjab, despite dismissing Michael Hussey and Brendon McCullum cheaply, failed to get past Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis. They tilted the game in CSK’s favour and ended any chance of Punjab’s comeback.
Du Plessis and Raina stitched a 92-run partnership for the third wicket, while both scoring flowing half-centuries. The Super Kings chased down the total with 19 balls to spare.
Earlier, the Super Kings displayed a superb bowling performance to restrict the Kings XI on an under-par total. Spinner, in particular, exploited the conditions and never allowed Punjab batsmen to get going.
Rishi Dhawan and Axar Patel tried to up the ante with some big hits at the end, but it proved tough for them to up the ante.
