KXIP 197/7 (20.0 Ovs)
CSK 193/5 (20.0 Ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 4 runs
Phew! What a game. It could have been a very tight finish at the Chinnaswamy had RCB batted a bit better and our hearts were certainly tested here in Mohali where MS Dhoni - battling a back injury - recorded his highest ever T20 score (79). So that concludes a Super Sunday for us. Well, Monday has just begun. We'll be back in a few hours with KKR v DD. Have a good night's sleep and come back fresh, we'll be there for you nice and early. Goodbye!
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).
Gayle is the Man of the Match
Ashwin: 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.
MS Dhoni: 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.
Andrew Tye: Very nervy. Mahi put on a show for the crowd. Outstanding effort from the Chennai lads. You have to figure out where you can give away a single or maybe a dot. I would have liked to give him (Mohit) 23. But Mohit did the job. The crowd was awesome and electrifying. We have one more game here and hope to play it in front of a packed crowd.
Watto and Vijay couldn't give the start. Billings' failure put more pressure on Rayudu and Dhoni - who had to milk the bowling for a while because of three early wickets. Rayudu batted very well and he was under the pump with Dhoni not able to strike the ball cleanly. KXIP got Rayudu just at the right time - before he could change to 5th gear. Dhoni then upped his game - fought a lower back injury and almost took CSK over the line.
Great to see Bravo and Gayle share a smile as they walk off. No emotions from Dhoni. Mohit congratulates Dhoni. Happy hugs for the KXIP team. Gee this got close. But to be honest, how did they let CSK come this far? Had the game in the bag almost, but one man believed and single-handedly threatened the opposition. 198 was never going to be easy, especially with Raina not being there for tonight's game.
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