CSK win by 22 runs
CSK win by 22 runs
The final push never came for KXIP. To have a century partnership and lose just five wickets and lose by 22 runs is pretty shocking to be honest. Excellent defensive skills from CSK at the death. Change of pace and back of a length worked wonders after that effort through the middle from the spinners, who bowled 12 overs for 61 runs and 2 wickets.
So CSK are 4 from 5 and sitting comfortably on 8 points. Half way there. KXIP have some introspection to do. We are live with the next game where Alzarri Joseph is making his IPL debut with MI and Yuvraj Singh has been dropped. Switch tabs to catch that action. Until next, time, it's a good bye!
KXIP have two changes themselves. Gayle and Andrew Tye come in with Hardus Viljoen and Mujeeb Ur Rahman going out.
Chris Gayle should return
So will KXIP keep Gayle and Curran as openers and move KL Rahul to 3? What about CSK meanwhile... Rayudu-Watson opening combo isn't working this season. This will be a dry pitch so expect a lot of spin play.
Toss coming up!
Prelude - Return of the prodigal son
An IPL homecoming for R Ashwin, the star from West Mambalam, Chennai. He hasn't played at Chepauk against CSK since he was not retained by his home franchise.
He has always wanted to take a leadership role and will be eager to put his cricketing smarts into play at a venue he has so many great memories. Take his IPL record for instance. He has 43 wickets from 36 games at an economy of 6.
Where will the CSK fans' loyalty lie? It's a tricky period for them in this tournament. They have just the 1 loss so far but have gaping holes to address with their death bowling following the loss of Bravo to injury.
Why don't you gear up for the double-header bonanza by reading this pre-match piece from Akash Sarkar?