Chennai: Astute leadership by skipper MS Dhoni, who reached the milestone of 5,000 IPL runs, in marshalling his limited resources, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) scored a resounding victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium here tonight in the IPL match.
After the speedsters were taken to task by the LSG openers, especially Kyle Mayers, the spinners brought the CSK back into the contest with regular strikes to fashion a comfortable win, despite the lower order putting up a good fight as Cheannai Fortress remained unconquered.
Chasing CSK's 217 for seven, LSK eventually ended up scoring 205 for 7, losing by 12 runs, as the packed Chepauk stadium spectators got their money worth, having witnessed the first match after 2019 and cheering their star 'Thala' Dhoni right from the time of the toss of the coin.
The iconic skipper did not disappoint the fans as he pummelled two sixes in his three-ball stay late in the innings--last over--giving his fans the most awaited treat, though a brief one.
Offie Moeen Ali bagged four wickets which turned out to be the game changer, after opener Ruturaj Gaikwad's belligerent half century and good contributions by the middle order, propelled CSK to 217 for 7, the highest total of this year.
But what was matter of concern for Dhoni was the numbr of no balls and wides by their bowlers, a fact, which he flagged after the CSK's first match loss against Gujarat Titans, that eventually proved costly.
In fact the CSK has won today's match in 22 overs, going by the no balls and wides bowled by them, despite the LSG lower order freezing their arms in reducing the margin.
Chasing an imposing target, LSG started off on a rollicking fashion as West Indian Kyle Mayers went after the speedsters scoring a rip-roaring 22-ball 53 with eight fours and two sixes as LSG went past CSK's Power Play score of 79 for no loss by one run.
Such was Mayers' assault was that MS Dhoni struggled to contain the run flow as he pummelled the bowlers.
However, the introduction of spinners applied the brakes as CSK came back into the contest with Mayers (53, 22 balls, 8x4, 2x6), after adding 79 with skipper K.L.Rahul by power play for the first wicket, holding out to Conway at midwicket fence off Moeen Ali.
This triggered a collapse as LSG, despite scoring 100 in 9.1 overs, lost three wickets in three runs, with Moeen Ali doing the damage and left arm spinner Micahel Santner joining the act, which turned out to be the runing point for CSK's victory.
Later, Krunal Pandya too perished to Moeen Ali, who tightened CSK's grip by removing dangeorus looking Marcus Stonis (21) to finish with an impressive figurs of 4 for 26 in four overs, setting the stage for CSk's first win in this IPL edition.
The two spinners bagged five wickets combinedly conceding 47 runs in eight overs, that hastened CSK's win despite the lower order offering a valiant fight.
Despite some late assault by Nicholas Pooran and impact player Ayush Badoni, Dhoni's astute leadership in marshalling his resources ensured that the home team register its first win.
Though Dhoni brought in its most successful spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the 15th over, who was welcomed with a pair of sixes by Pooran, it turned out to be an exercise in futiity as CSK successfully defended the target for its first win.
Following is the scoreboard :
LSG innings :
K.L. Rahul c Gaikwad b Moeen Ali 20
Kyle Mayers c Conway b Moeen Ali 53
Deepak Hooda c Ben Stokes b Santner 2
Krunal Pandya c Ravindra Jadeja b Moeen Ali 9
Marcus Stoinis b Moeen Ali 21
Nicholas Pooran c Ben Stokes b Dehspande 32
Ayush Badoni (Impact player) c Dhoni b Deshpande 23
K.Gowtham (not out) 17
Mark Wood (Not out) 10
Extras : (LB-2, NB-3, W-13) 18
Total : 205 for 7 in 20 overs.
Fall of wickets : 1-79, 2-82, 3-82, 4-105, 5-130, 6-156, 7-195.
Bowling :
Deepak Chahar 4-0-55-0
Ben Stokes 1-0-18-0
Tushar Deshpande 4-0-45-2
Moeen Ali 4-0-26-4
Mitchell Santner 4-0-21-1
Rajavardhan Hangargekar 2-0-24-0
Ravindra Jadeja 1-0-14-0 (UNI)
