CSK's meteoric rise continues - With a win here, Chennai Super Kings are now up to 5th place on the points table, level with plenty of teams on 12 points as well and are looking like an actual contender for a playoff berth. On the other hand, Lucknow Super Giants are holding on for dear life, but if RCB win, they will move to 14 points, which means that four teams will be above 12 points and if MI lose, both they and LSG can only get to 12. We bring up RCB and MI because they are locked in a contest right now in Raipur, where RCB are bowling first and already have MI three down. You can simply switch tabs and catch our coverage of the game. Cheers!
POTM - Jamie Overton! The CSK pacer gets the accolade for his fine figures of 4-0-36-3 with the ball. Let's now hear from him. Jamie Overton says it felt good and it is nice to get over the line and get the two points. Adds that his plan was just to bowl on top of the stumps and keep doing what is working for him. Mentions that he is always working with the coaches. A few times, he falls over in his action, which he has been trying to work on since the World Cup. Says that you have to evolve and get ahead of the batters to outhink them in this format. Ends by saying that his body feels good, the pace is up and he wants to continue the momentum.
Tap to make your prediction
The captain of Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad starts off by replying about how he felt about the chase. He says that it was a big score on the board and they started really well in the Powerplay, but in the middle, it got a bit tacky. Although he states that he is very happy with the win as they have chased a target over 200 after a long time. About the first inning, Gaikwad gives credit to Josh Inglis for his amazing shots, saying they had no answers for him. After the first Time Out, Sanju pumped up the team to pull things back, and they focused on getting wickets. On the bowling changes after the Powerplay, he says Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton bowled well from 6 to 10 overs, pulling things back. They were happy defending 220, given the wicket. Gaikwad reckons the break helped, given the heat and humidity. They need to keep it simple and tick the boxes moving ahead. For the future plans, he says that he is not looking too far ahead, just focusing on the next game.
The Presentation ceremony...
Let's recap the first innings - It was Josh Inglis' day out in the middle to begin with and no matter where the bowlers bowled, he seemed to have an answer. Lucknow scored heavily in the first 6 overs, as many as 91, whilst losing just one wicket. Chennai pulled things back brilliantly in the middle overs with the likes of Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton wreaking havoc. At the death, it was a late fightback from Shahbaz Ahamad that managed to propel LSG over the 200-run mark, setting up an exciting chase.
Tap to make your prediction
Catches cost Lucknow dearly - There is a general and age-old saying that catches win matches, but when you drop so many, you are destined to lose more often than not. Digvesh Singh put down Urvil Patel when he was in full flow and then Prashant Veer at the death. Nicholas Pooran also gave Prashant Veer a life off the very next ball and LSG just couldn't get the job done. However, it was still a mighty fightback after conceding 97 runs in the Powerplay and the spinners were a big part of it. Shahbaz Ahamad followed his fine batting stint with the ball as well, but in the end, Pant had to turn to spin yet again for the final over and it didn't work out this time.
Let's now hear from CSK's tormentor-in-chief - Urvil Patel says that his plan was just to react to each ball. Adds that he has worked hard on his hitting with the coaches. Mentions that Gaikwad just said to him that the wicket is staying a bit low, so bat accordingly, but the skipper showed faith in him.
The skipper of LSG - Rishabh Pant starts off speaking about the game and says that it was a great one. Also adds that they knew they'd face pressure in the Powerplay. He thought the total on the board was enough. About the fielding, Pant mentions that fielding standards need to be top-notch in T20 cricket, too many dropped catches. He then praises Urvil Patel's knock, saying someone had to step up in the Powerplay. He adds that the team showed character, but CSK held their nerves better. On the score they put in the first inning, Pant says they wanted more runs given how they started, but 200-210 seemed like a good total. It got tough after the Powerplay. He ends up saying that he thought about different options in terms of who to give the final over, but went with Aiden Markram as two left-handers were at the crease.
Urvil sets the Chepauk ablaze - Sanju Samson did get the ball rolling for the Super Kings, but once he fell, it was the man who replaced him out in the middle, was the one who broke the back of the chase. Urvil Patel smashed 65 runs off just 23 balls, including a record-equalling 13-ball fifty. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad played an anchoring knock of 42 from 28 balls but soon enough CSK started to lose their way in the middle overs. The likes of Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis came and went without making an impact but CSK's Impact Player, Prashant Veer and the experienced Shivam Dube kept their cool and finished off the game with 4 balls in hand.
Lucknow are on the brink - Chennai Super Kings pick up their sixth win of the season and what away to do it as well. Their first successful run chase in excess of 180 runs since after the 2018 season, that is an unbelievable stat given how many scores of 200-plus we see these days. On the other hand, the Super Giants are all but out of the playoff race, with just 3 wins from 11 matches. Mathematically, they are still in with a chance, but for that, they would have to win all their remaining fixtures and would need plenty of other matches to go their way as well.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, SIX! Shivam Dube finishes things off in style! CHENNAI SUPER KINGS WIN BY 5 WICKETS. Aiden Markram bowls this quicker and shorter, on middle. Dube picks up the length early and smacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence to wrap up the two points.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, SIX! That should be the game for CSK now! Floated, full and around off, fails to keep it out of the arc of the batter. Shivam Dube gets right underneath it and smokes it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, WIDE! And again! Aiden Markram fires this full but bowls outside the tramline. Make that 8 needed in 6 now.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Flatter, full but way outside off, Shivam Dube lets it go. 9 needed in 6 now.
Who will bowl the final over? It will be Aiden Markram. A very tough ask for Markram here, defending just 9 runs.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Another fuller one, on the pads, Shivam Dube glances it to deep fine leg for one more. 10 runs need in the final over.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Goes over the wicket, serves this full and on leg, Prashant Veer flicks it to deep square leg for one.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, SIX! Well, Digvesh Singh will not be feeling so good now! Pitched up and on middle, angling in a bit. Prashant Veer clears his front leg away and tonks it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. 12 needed in 8 now.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Full again and on middle and leg, Shivam Dube fails to clip it away and the ball deflects off his pads towards backward point. A leg bye taken. There is also a shout for LBW, but it is turned down. However, Rishabh Pant takes the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved but Ball Tracking shows it is pitching outside leg. Not Out call remains.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Shivam Dube makes an easy leave.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Put down again! Butterfingers for LSG! Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Prashant Veer looks to slog it across the line but gets it from the inside half of the bat. He mistimes it in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Nicholas Pooran runs forward and dives but grasses it. A single taken.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, DROPPED! Digvesh Singh is the culprit again! A low full toss, outside off, Prashant Veer gets down and across for the scoop but does not get under it. He ends up lobbing it towards short fine, where Digvesh Singh takes a couple of steps to his left but spills it out.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, Short again and around off, Prashant Veer crouches low to sway away from the line of it and steers it to deep third for one more. 21 needed in 12 now.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, Right in the blockhole, outside off, Prashant Veer can only jam it out towards extra cover.
Prince Yadav to Shivam Dube, Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Shivam Dube stays back and punches it through covers for a run.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, Short of a length and around off, takes pace off, Prashant Veer tries to cut it but gets a bottom edge down to deep third for a single.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, SIX! That will release a lot of pressure! Prince Yadav goes fuller but bowls this on the pads. Prashant Veer picks it up and just with the flick of the wrists, whips it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 24 needed in 16 now.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, Dots are gold! Back of a length and around leg, Prashant Veer stays back and tries to pull it away but misses and gets hit on his left thigh.
Avesh Khan has just bowled his 3rd over and has one up his sleeve, just like Prince Yadav. Once again, like the last game, LSG might have to turn to spin if it comes down to the final over. Actually, Rishabh Pant is taking the risk now and he's bringing on Aiden Markram to bowl at two left-handers. Hang on, he's changed his mind and it will be Prince Yadav to finish his spell.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Length and on middle, angling in again, Prashant Veer looks to flick but gets a slight inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards short third. A leg bye taken. Avesh appeals for the LBW, but the umpire shakes his head.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Touch fuller and on middle, angling in, Prashant Veer stabs it down the pitch, where Avesh Khan collects it on the bounce.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, WIDE! LSG cannot afford to give away extras! Avesh comes around the wicket, digs it into the surface but down the leg side, Prashant Veer leaves it alone.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Short of a length and on middle, Shivam Dube stays back and tucks it towards mid-wicket for another run.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Good length and on middle, nips back in, Shivam Dube pats it to the left of the bowler. With every dot ball, CSK will start to feel the pressure.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, WIDE! A bouncer but way too high, outside leg, Shivam Dube lets it go.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Back of a length and around leg, Prashant Veer hooks it towards deep fine leg for a single.
Mukesh Choudhary is substituted by Prashant Veer
Prashant Veer is the next batter in for CSK. He comes in as their Impact Player, replacing Mukesh Choudhary in the lineup.
Avesh Khan to Kartik Sharma, OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE MAN IN THE DEEP! Once again, the strategic break brings in a wicket for the fielding side. Avesh Khan bangs this into the pitch, outside off, there to be hit. Kartik Sharma extends his arms and crunches his cut but does not keep it down and hits it straight towards deep point. Akshat Raghuwanshi, who is standing quite a few yards inside, does not have to move an inch and takes a fine reverse cup near his head.
STRATEGIC BREAK! Well, well. The Super Giants have just about managed to hang on and they are now making a real match out of it. With 35 needed off 24 and plenty of wickets in hand, one will still favour the batting side to win, but LSG have a real shot now. CSK will be hoping that one of their batters manages to play a quickfire cameo of 15-20 runs and that would really ease the pressure. This could go down to the wire, so let's get back to the action. Also, Shivam Dube now walks out to bat, and Avesh Khan returns to the attack.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, OUT! CASTLED! Digvesh Singh finishes his spell with a wicket. He dishes out another googly, flights it up, full and on off, turns it in a shy bit. Dewald Brevis goes down and has a big swipe across the line but fails to pick it. The ball goes past the inside edge and shatters into the off pole. CSK 169/4 and LSG are trying their best to keep this game alive.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, Wrong'un, pushed through quicker, turns in sharply, Dewald Brevis backs and just about stabs it out towards point.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, Floated, full and on off, Kartik Sharma taps it towards cover fo a run.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, Tossed up, full and around off, Kartik Sharma gets down to slog it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, Quicker and shorter, around leg, Dewald Brevis nudges it off his hips to deep square leg for a single.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, Googly, short and turning into the batter, Dewald Brevis backs away and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Prince Yadav to Dewald Brevis, Hard length and angling into the leg side, Dewald Brevis works it through mid-wicket for one more. 39 needed in 30 balls now!
Prince Yadav to Kartik Sharma, Pitched up and on middle, Kartik Sharma drills it to long on for a single.
Prince Yadav to Kartik Sharma, FOUR! Clever shot! Fuller one and on middle and off, Kartik Sharma goes down and across early and plays the scoop well wide of short fine for a boundary.