Twitter Reactions: CSK decimate KXIP to roar back into IPL 2020 courtesy special knocks from Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson

It was all smiles for the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they literally thumped the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). Those stunning shots were back from Shane Watson and along with him, Faf du Plessis just played even better than the previous game. They registered the fourth best opening partnership in the IPL ever and comfortably chased down 179 with 14 balls and 10 wickets in hand.

The approach from the teams have changed as even KXIP opted to bat first after winning the toss. And once again their openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal did well to get the team off to a good start. The duo batted superbly complementing each other to add 61 runs for the first wicket. Piyush Chawla gave the much-needed breakthrough to CSK picking Agarwal’s wicket after which Mandeep Singh came and hit some lusty blows.

However, he couldn’t take his innings past 27. But CSK weren’t able to stop the run-scoring with KL Rahul still doing well in the middle. Nicholas Pooran also showed aggression with the bat to put the bowlers under pressure. It was all going haywire for the three-time champions. Rahul had reached his half-century and had turned on his beast mode.

At the same time, Pooran was scoring at a strike-rate of more than 200. But then, Shardul Thakur’s 18th over changed things. The Caribbean left-hander got out off the first ball and more joy came CSK’s way with Rahul edging the next delivery to MS Dhoni who dived to take the catch. Two new batsmen were in the middle suddenly and KXIP didn’t get the final push required.

They ended at 178/4 in their 20 overs scoring only 26 runs in the last three overs and the momentum was with CSK at the half way mark.

Watson and Du Plessis finally click together for CSK

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming was pretty animated when they were fielding and wasn’t happy with a few things. The team needed a good start which MS Dhoni had been talking right from the first game of the season and they finally got it today. Shane Watson played a drive on the up in the first over off Sheldon Cottrell and one sensed, something special was coming from the Australian.

There was talk of intent from the openers and Watson’s feet were moving from the word go. And it didn’t take long for him to continue hitting the middle. All those shots were back and CSK were suddenly looking a different team. Faf du Plessis was always in great form and he didn’t hold himself back either. The former African captain came down the ground to attack on occasions and runs kept flowing throughout the innings.

Soon the team’s score had gone past the 100-run mark and the shoulders from KXIP were dropped. KL Rahul threw everything he had at the experienced batsmen but all went in vain. Their fielding was poor overall even as both Watson and Du Plessis played chanceless knocks. They went past their fifties in style as well and kept on plundering the KXIP bowling.

With wickets not falling at any stage, they just kept finding gaps and finished the game in the 18th over itself with 10 wickets in hand. After spending some uncomfortable days at the last position, the three-time champions are back after registering their first win in four matches. The duo of Du Plessis (87*) and Watson (83*) stitched a record opening stand for CSK in the IPL ever.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: