IPL 2018: Match 12, KXIP vs CSK- Who Said What

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) locked horns at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Both teams fought tooth and nail to outclass each other. Punjab started handsomely and mustered 197 runs after which CSK played their hearts out, but eventually fell short of the victory by four runs. Subsequently, they also tasted their maiden defeat of the this season’s IPL.

Punjab motors along, but Chennai pull them back

KL Rahul and Chris Gayle opened the batting and the duo blazed away and dictated terms to Chennai from the outset. They trod the aggressive route and notched 75 runs within the fielding restrictions. Gayle didn’t play the matches against Delhi and Bangalore, but made a strong statement by notching 63 runs off 33 balls, which included seven boundaries and four sixes.

Mayank Agarwal played a blistering hand as well, but after the dismissal of the three batsmen Chennai bowled exceptionally well and restricted their batsmen. Aaron Finch, after his return, perished to Imran Tahir and recorded his second golden-duck on the trot. Karun Nair and Yuvraj played a couple of cameos but Punjab could only muster 197 runs in their 20 overs.

Punjab hold on amidst Dhoni storm

Murali Vijay and Shane Watson started Chennai’s run chase, however, both were dismissed by Andrew Tye and Mohit Sharma inside the power-play. Sam Billings, who played a match-winning hand against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), couldn’t replicate the heroics as Ravichandran Ashwin pinned him using the Decision Review System (DRS).

Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni tried hard to bring the game back into CSK’s favour, but a superlative throw by Ashwin pinned Rayudu. Dhoni got a few at the meat of the bat, but didn’t find the boundaries frequently enough which put the target beyond their control. However, Dhoni had other ideas and spanked the leather to all corners of the park, but Punjab managed to hold their nerves and brushed the visitors aside.

Here is what Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the skipper of the Chennai Super Kings said

Not much going through my mind. They bowled very well, Mujeeb made a difference. I don’t think there was much dew on the ground. They played better than us. We can improve in few areas. Chris’ innings in the first innings and Mujeeb’s bowling made a difference. It was a close game. We will be a safe fielding team and not be an exceptional one.

We have to be smart while bowling. We want to keep hitting boundaries here and there and that can make a difference. All the games we have been part of were close, so individuals would have learnt from that. (On not promoting Bravo) Fleming is in the dug out so he needs to take the decision. We have confidence in Jadeja because he being a left-hander is not easy for the bowlers. This is the time we need to give him the opportunity. If Jadeja can do the job of the floater that would be really good for the team as we have Raina at the top of the order. I will back him as we have not given him many opportunities.

I don’t know how bad my back is but it should be okay. God has given me enough power so I don’t have to rely on my back a lot. It shouldn’t be so bad. I am used to playing with the injuries. You have to be tough.

Here is what Ravichandran Ashwin, the skipper of the Kings XI Punjab said

I felt there was a lot of dew, but overall the bowling went well. It was crucial to get Rayudu at that point of the game, it was a game-breaking moment. We are not going to be a team that goes back and thinks maybe we could have done this or that, we are going to be a team that thinks maybe we could have stuck to the basics. Today I thought we should unleash Gayle and he had the right sort of an attack to go out there and express himself.

Player of the Match: Chris Gayle

It was good to be back. I got a text this morning that I would be playing. I am very happy that I have got off to a winning start for this new franchise. That’s Chris Gayle for you – hitting just fours and sixes and not worrying about ones and twos. Rahul took pressure off me at times as well. I am feeling like 25, the Universe Boss is back (laughs).