Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings, 57th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Already 3 teams out of the playoffs race and KKR are most likely to join them after tonight's defeat. The ball spun in the first innings but CSK managed to defy the troika of spinners from KKR to chase the target down. Also the emergence of Urvil Patel and Brevis alongside Mhatre gives real hope for them next season. That's what MSD also alluded to in the post-match presser. They are trying to build a side for next season. On that note we sign off from here. Be well, take care and sleep tight. See you tomorrow for another IPL game. Till then bye bye and time to escape.

Noor Ahmad | Player of the Match: It was a super win. Really happy with the work we did as a team, happy with my bowling and also with Dewald Brevis. I did not keep thinking about the leading wicket-taker or the Purple cap, wanted to do well for my team, that's how it works for me. The nick from Raghuvanshi is the one I liked. Just try to use the length well and that's what works for me.

MS Dhoni: We have won a few? (Smiles) It is only the third game we gave won. It is good to be on the winning side. Quite a few things have not gone our way. What is important is to be practical. Identify what has gone wrong. We have 25 players who can fill and I was focusing on that. We want answers for the next year, which batter can slot in where and which bowler can bowl where according to the conditions. Hardly anyone was scoring runs, yes you will get out sometimes but you back yourself and play the shots you feel you can do. These are the players who are part of the squad now, you may see them in the nets, in the practice games, give them a chance and see how they react. You don't look at the cricketing aspect or the technique but their mental strength and game awareness. If he can figure out what the bowler is doing, what is his bluff ball, he will do well. (on the talk with Dube) You have to keep their spinners out of the game, thanks to Brevis, he gave us that luxury, don't give wickets to Sunil and Varun, then we will see. This is not a big ground, I said take it slightly to the end, not to forget, I was the last batter, that was the thinking. He played calculated shots and he hit two sixes and that brings the rate down. (on the love shown tonight by the crowd) That's the love and affection I have got throughout, not to forget, I'm 43 and I have played for a long time. They don't know when it will be my last year, it is a fact I play only 2 months a year. This IPL gets over, then I have to work for the next 6-8 months to see if my body is able to take this kind of pressure. (on his retirement plans) Nothing to decide as of now, but the love and affection I get everywhere is excellent.

Brevis: Grateful. Want to use this opportunity to thank God for giving me the talent to do this. Was an interesting innings. A few wickets fell quickly so had to adapt. Have to sum up the conditions as quickly as you can and then go for it. The more I play the more I'll figure my way out. Just want to be true to myself. I know for a fact that I'll be able to do this for longer innings as well. It's been incredible (playing in the IPL). The fans are incredible. It's great cricket, lots of fun, it's high level and you get tested as well. It made me very hungry for this. If I look back at a few weeks, I was sitting on the couch watching the games, and wanted to be there. But I trusted in the process and God's plan, and grateful to be here.

Ajinkya Rahane: It's a tough thing to be on the losing side, I think we were 10-15 runs short. We thought 185-195 would have been an ideal total on this wicket, but I think it was a great game. In this format that things are bound to happen, an over (Vaibhav vs Brevis) here and there, but I think they batted really well and took their chances. Brevis and Dube they took their chances and it really paid off (for CSK.) No complaints but I think our bowlers bowled really well. It is pretty simple, now we have to win two out of two, let's see what happens from here on.

Stats by Deepu Narayanan

First time since 2019, CSK have successfully chased down a 180+ target. They lost 12 previous instances when they chased 180+ targets. Only PBKS (15) in 2015-21 has a longer sequence of unsuccessful attempts at chasing 180+ targets in IPL while RCB also went through 12 unsuccessful attempts between 2019-23.
180 is the second highest target successfully chased down after losing the first five wickets for 75 or lower (CSK were 60/5 today). The only higher target is 210 chased down by DC from 65/5 against LSG in Vizag earlier in the season.

23:13 Local Time, 17:43 GMT, 23:13 IST: CSK have pulled this off. Also deal KKR with a near-fatal blow to their playoff hopes, which were already slender. The openers went for ducks but Urvil Patel showed why he is such a talent with a belligerent innings. But after he fell, CSK slipped to 60/5 and it looked like another batting collapse was on the cards. But Brevis who has impressed this season came out with intent and smashed Vaibhav for 30 in one over to turn the game on its head. Still there were a few twists left but Dube's calm knock and with the assuring presence of that man - MSD at the crease, with the asking rate well under control, it was always advantage CSK. Two late wickets in the 19th over did not deter Dhoni who smashed a trademark six in the final over to all but seal the win. That was done by Anshul Kamboj and it dents KKR's chances of reaching the playoffs as they have just two games left and have just 11 points to show. Stay tuned for the presentation....

Russell to Anshul Kamboj, FOUR, it is not Dhoni but Anshul Kamboj who finishes it off in style. A half-volley outside off, Kamboj gets forward and lofts cleanly over mid-on, Dhoni goes to Kamboj and has a smiling chat

Dhoni goes to Anshul Kamboj to have a word. Lengthy chat from Dhoni to Kamboj. Kamboj takes guard and Dhoni again comes to him. Rahane setting the field. 7 inside the ring. Four on the off-side and 3 on the leg-side. One more chat from Dhoni to Kamboj with glove-love thrown in. Kamboj nods in agreement.

Russell to Dhoni, 1 run, low full-toss on off, driven wide of extra-cover and Rahane gets across and cuts it off

Dhoni surveys the field.

Russell to Dhoni, no run, full around off, Dhoni gets forward and drives hard and straight to long-off, does not take the run

Russell to Dhoni, SIX, he has still got it - the grand old man of Indian cricket! Low full-toss on off, he gets under this and heaves this powerfully over deep mid-wicket, flies into the crowd. That should be the game. CSK fans in the crowd losing their marbles in elation

Anshul Kamboj, right handed bat, comes to the crease

8 off the last over. It will be Russell to bowl. He can nail the low full-tosses and yorkers. Up to Dhoni to win this for CSK.

Vaibhav Arora to Noor Ahmad, out Caught by Rinku Singh!! Noor Ahmad goes. Again Rinku it is. He takes it and Noor punches the bat hard with his gloves. Was a leg-cutter dug in on a back of a length outside off, Noor pulls flat and Rinku again is in from the fence, dives forward and takes a low catch in front of him. Such good hands he has. Suddenly CSK are eight-down. But importantly Dhoni will be on strike next over. Noor Ahmad c Rinku Singh b Vaibhav Arora 2(2)

Vaibhav Arora to Noor Ahmad, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

8 off 7

Vaibhav Arora to Noor Ahmad, 2 runs, good running. Full on leg-stump, flicked wide of deep backward square-leg and Noor Ahmad makes it in with a dive, beating the throw from Ramandeep to Gurbaz, the throw was wide to Gurbaz