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POTM - Jamie Overton! The CSK pacer gets the accolade for his fine figures of 4-0-36-3 with the ball. Let's now hear from him. Jamie Overton says it felt good and it is nice to get over the line and get the two points. Adds that his plan was just to bowl on top of the stumps and keep doing what is working for him. Mentions that he is always working with the coaches. A few times, he falls over in his action, which he has been trying to work on since the World Cup. Says that you have to evolve and get ahead of the batters to outhink them in this format. Ends by saying that his body feels good, the pace is up and he wants to continue the momentum.
The captain of Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad starts off by replying about how he felt about the chase. He says that it was a big score on the board and they started really well in the Powerplay, but in the middle, it got a bit tacky. Although he states that he is very happy with the win as they have chased a target over 200 after a long time. About the first inning, Gaikwad gives credit to Josh Inglis for his amazing shots, saying they had no answers for him. After the first Time Out, Sanju pumped up the team to pull things back, and they focused on getting wickets. On the bowling changes after the Powerplay, he says Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton bowled well from 6 to 10 overs, pulling things back. They were happy defending 220, given the wicket. Gaikwad reckons the break helped, given the heat and humidity. They need to keep it simple and tick the boxes moving ahead. For the future plans, he says that he is not looking too far ahead, just focusing on the next game.
The Presentation ceremony...
Let's recap the first innings - It was Josh Inglis' day out in the middle to begin with and no matter where the bowlers bowled, he seemed to have an answer. Lucknow scored heavily in the first 6 overs, as many as 91, whilst losing just one wicket. Chennai pulled things back brilliantly in the middle overs with the likes of Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton wreaking havoc. At the death, it was a late fightback from Shahbaz Ahamad that managed to propel LSG over the 200-run mark, setting up an exciting chase.
Catches cost Lucknow dearly - There is a general and age-old saying that catches win matches, but when you drop so many, you are destined to lose more often than not. Digvesh Singh put down Urvil Patel when he was in full flow and then Prashant Veer at the death. Nicholas Pooran also gave Prashant Veer a life off the very next ball and LSG just couldn't get the job done. However, it was still a mighty fightback after conceding 97 runs in the Powerplay and the spinners were a big part of it. Shahbaz Ahamad followed his fine batting stint with the ball as well, but in the end, Pant had to turn to spin yet again for the final over and it didn't work out this time.
Let's now hear from CSK's tormentor-in-chief - Urvil Patel says that his plan was just to react to each ball. Adds that he has worked hard on his hitting with the coaches. Mentions that Gaikwad just said to him that the wicket is staying a bit low, so bat accordingly, but the skipper showed faith in him.
The skipper of LSG - Rishabh Pant starts off speaking about the game and says that it was a great one. Also adds that they knew they'd face pressure in the Powerplay. He thought the total on the board was enough. About the fielding, Pant mentions that fielding standards need to be top-notch in T20 cricket, too many dropped catches. He then praises Urvil Patel's knock, saying someone had to step up in the Powerplay. He adds that the team showed character, but CSK held their nerves better. On the score they put in the first inning, Pant says they wanted more runs given how they started, but 200-210 seemed like a good total. It got tough after the Powerplay. He ends up saying that he thought about different options in terms of who to give the final over, but went with Aiden Markram as two left-handers were at the crease.
Urvil sets the Chepauk ablaze - Sanju Samson did get the ball rolling for the Super Kings, but once he fell, it was the man who replaced him out in the middle, was the one who broke the back of the chase. Urvil Patel smashed 65 runs off just 23 balls, including a record-equalling 13-ball fifty. CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad played an anchoring knock of 42 from 28 balls but soon enough CSK started to lose their way in the middle overs. The likes of Kartik Sharma and Dewald Brevis came and went without making an impact but CSK's Impact Player, Prashant Veer and the experienced Shivam Dube kept their cool and finished off the game with 4 balls in hand.
Lucknow are on the brink - Chennai Super Kings pick up their sixth win of the season and what away to do it as well. Their first successful run chase in excess of 180 runs since after the 2018 season, that is an unbelievable stat given how many scores of 200-plus we see these days. On the other hand, the Super Giants are all but out of the playoff race, with just 3 wins from 11 matches. Mathematically, they are still in with a chance, but for that, they would have to win all their remaining fixtures and would need plenty of other matches to go their way as well.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, Six!SIX! Shivam Dube finishes things off in style! CHENNAI SUPER KINGS WIN BY 5 WICKETS. Aiden Markram bowls this quicker and shorter, on middle. Dube picks up the length early and smacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence to wrap up the two points.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, Six!SIX! That should be the game for CSK now! Floated, full and around off, fails to keep it out of the arc of the batter. Shivam Dube gets right underneath it and smokes it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, Wide!WIDE! And again! Aiden Markram fires this full but bowls outside the tramline. Make that 8 needed in 6 now.
Aiden Markram to Shivam Dube, Wide!WIDE! Flatter, full but way outside off, Shivam Dube lets it go. 9 needed in 6 now.
Who will bowl the final over? It will be Aiden Markram. A very tough ask for Markram here, defending just 9 runs.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, 1 run.Another fuller one, on the pads, Shivam Dube glances it to deep fine leg for one more. 10 runs need in the final over.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, 1 run.Goes over the wicket, serves this full and on leg, Prashant Veer flicks it to deep square leg for one.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Six!SIX! Well, Digvesh Singh will not be feeling so good now! Pitched up and on middle, angling in a bit. Prashant Veer clears his front leg away and tonks it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. 12 needed in 8 now.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Leg bye.Full again and on middle and leg, Shivam Dube fails to clip it away and the ball deflects off his pads towards backward point. A leg bye taken. There is also a shout for LBW, but it is turned down. However, Rishabh Pant takes the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved but Ball Tracking shows it is pitching outside leg. Not Out call remains.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Wide!WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Shivam Dube makes an easy leave.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, 1 run.Put down again! Butterfingers for LSG! Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Prashant Veer looks to slog it across the line but gets it from the inside half of the bat. He mistimes it in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Nicholas Pooran runs forward and dives but grasses it. A single taken.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, No run.DROPPED! Digvesh Singh is the culprit again! A low full toss, outside off, Prashant Veer gets down and across for the scoop but does not get under it. He ends up lobbing it towards short fine, where Digvesh Singh takes a couple of steps to his left but spills it out.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, 1 run.Short again and around off, Prashant Veer crouches low to sway away from the line of it and steers it to deep third for one more. 21 needed in 12 now.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, No run.Right in the blockhole, outside off, Prashant Veer can only jam it out towards extra cover.
Prince Yadav to Shivam Dube, 1 run.Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Shivam Dube stays back and punches it through covers for a run.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, 1 run.Short of a length and around off, takes pace off, Prashant Veer tries to cut it but gets a bottom edge down to deep third for a single.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, Six!SIX! That will release a lot of pressure! Prince Yadav goes fuller but bowls this on the pads. Prashant Veer picks it up and just with the flick of the wrists, whips it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 24 needed in 16 now.
Prince Yadav to Prashant Veer, No run.Dots are gold! Back of a length and around leg, Prashant Veer stays back and tries to pull it away but misses and gets hit on his left thigh.
Avesh Khan has just bowled his 3rd over and has one up his sleeve, just like Prince Yadav. Once again, like the last game, LSG might have to turn to spin if it comes down to the final over. Actually, Rishabh Pant is taking the risk now and he's bringing on Aiden Markram to bowl at two left-handers. Hang on, he's changed his mind and it will be Prince Yadav to finish his spell.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Leg bye.Length and on middle, angling in again, Prashant Veer looks to flick but gets a slight inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards short third. A leg bye taken. Avesh appeals for the LBW, but the umpire shakes his head.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, No run.Touch fuller and on middle, angling in, Prashant Veer stabs it down the pitch, where Avesh Khan collects it on the bounce.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, Wide!WIDE! LSG cannot afford to give away extras! Avesh comes around the wicket, digs it into the surface but down the leg side, Prashant Veer leaves it alone.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, 1 run.Short of a length and on middle, Shivam Dube stays back and tucks it towards mid-wicket for another run.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, No run.Good length and on middle, nips back in, Shivam Dube pats it to the left of the bowler. With every dot ball, CSK will start to feel the pressure.
Avesh Khan to Shivam Dube, Wide!WIDE! A bouncer but way too high, outside leg, Shivam Dube lets it go.
Avesh Khan to Prashant Veer, 1 run.Back of a length and around leg, Prashant Veer hooks it towards deep fine leg for a single.
Prashant Veer is the next batter in for CSK. He comes in as their Impact Player, replacing Mukesh Choudhary in the lineup.
Mukesh Choudhary is substituted by Prashant VeerMukesh Choudhary is substituted by Prashant Veer
Avesh Khan to Kartik Sharma, OUT! c Akshat Raghuwanshi b Avesh Khan.OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE MAN IN THE DEEP! Once again, the strategic break brings in a wicket for the fielding side. Avesh Khan bangs this into the pitch, outside off, there to be hit. Kartik Sharma extends his arms and crunches his cut but does not keep it down and hits it straight towards deep point. Akshat Raghuwanshi, who is standing quite a few yards inside, does not have to move an inch and takes a fine reverse cup near his head.
STRATEGIC BREAK! Well, well. The Super Giants have just about managed to hang on and they are now making a real match out of it. With 35 needed off 24 and plenty of wickets in hand, one will still favour the batting side to win, but LSG have a real shot now. CSK will be hoping that one of their batters manages to play a quickfire cameo of 15-20 runs and that would really ease the pressure. This could go down to the wire, so let's get back to the action. Also, Shivam Dube now walks out to bat, and Avesh Khan returns to the attack.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, OUT! b Digvesh Singh.OUT! CASTLED! Digvesh Singh finishes his spell with a wicket. He dishes out another googly, flights it up, full and on off, turns it in a shy bit. Dewald Brevis goes down and has a big swipe across the line but fails to pick it. The ball goes past the inside edge and shatters into the off pole. CSK 169/4 and LSG are trying their best to keep this game alive.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, No run.Wrong'un, pushed through quicker, turns in sharply, Dewald Brevis backs and just about stabs it out towards point.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Floated, full and on off, Kartik Sharma taps it towards cover fo a run.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, No run.Tossed up, full and around off, Kartik Sharma gets down to slog it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Quicker and shorter, around leg, Dewald Brevis nudges it off his hips to deep square leg for a single.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, 2 runs.Googly, short and turning into the batter, Dewald Brevis backs away and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Prince Yadav to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Hard length and angling into the leg side, Dewald Brevis works it through mid-wicket for one more. 39 needed in 30 balls now!
Prince Yadav to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Pitched up and on middle, Kartik Sharma drills it to long on for a single.
Prince Yadav to Kartik Sharma, Four!FOUR! Clever shot! Fuller one and on middle and off, Kartik Sharma goes down and across early and plays the scoop well wide of short fine for a boundary.
Prince Yadav to Dewald Brevis, 2 Wides!Two wides! Tries the quick bouncer now, on middle, but this is too high for the batter. Dewald Brevis looks to pull but misses. Rishabh Pant leaps up and gets a glove on it to make a half stop. A wide called and a bye taken.
Prince Yadav to Dewald Brevis, No run.Three dots! A deceptive slower bumper, on middle, Dewald Brevis sways away and tries to upper cut but misses.
Prince Yadav to Dewald Brevis, No run.A shout for a catch, but not given! The umpires still go upstairs to have a look. Prince Yadav nails the yorker, on middle, tailing in. Dewald Brevis digs it out off the inside half of the bat onto his pads. Yadav thinks it is straight off the boot and into his hands but replays clearly show that the ball hit the turf first.
Hang on a minute, Prince Yadav is claiming a catch here. Has that gone off Dewald Brevis' boot and not the turf? The umpires have gone upstairs to have a look. Replays clearly indicate that the ball bounced after hitting the bat and then went into the boot. Not Out.
Prince Yadav to Dewald Brevis, No run.Fuller and on off, Dewald Brevis drives it firmly but straight to short cover.
Prince Yadav comes back in, replacing Shahbaz Ahamad.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, No run.Massive shout for LBW, but turned down! This is another googly, full and on middle, drifts in a bit. Kartik Sharma uses his feet to work it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. Rishabh Pant is literally pleading with the umpire, but gets nothing. He takes the review here. The replay shows no bat involved but Ball Tracking has the ball missing the leg stump. LSG lose a review.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.A touch fuller, wide outside off. Dewald Brevis goes deep inside the crease and cuts it toward the backward point region. Single taken.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, No run.Wrong'un, shortish and around leg, Dewald Brevis misses his flick and it brushes his pads on the way to the keeper.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Googly this time, much fuller and away from the off stump. Kartik Sharma frees his arms to drill it downtown, but the long on fielder moves toward his left and the batter gets a single.
Digvesh Singh to Dewald Brevis, 1 run.Flatter, full and on leg, Dewald Brevis clips it through mid-wicket for a run.
Digvesh Singh to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Digvesh Singh starts with a shorter one, on middle. Kartik Sharma nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.
Digvesh Singh (2-0-37-1) is brought back into the attack.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Dewald Brevis, Four!FOUR! Dewald Brevis is off the mark with some style! Much fuller from Shahbaz Ahamad, on middle. Dewald Brevis leans toward the delivery and uses his bottom hand to loft it over the bowler. The ball races away to downtown for four runs.
Is there still life left in this match? Certainly looks like there is, but CSK still have so much firepower left in the tank. Talking of firepower, Dewald Brevis now walks out to bat at number 5.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, OUT! b Shahbaz Ahamad.OUT! BOWLED'EM! Shahbaz Ahamad with a brillaint reply. He bowls this flatter, fuller and on middle, skids through a bit. Ruturaj Gaikwad anticipates a shorter length and rocks back to pull it away but the length is just not there for the shot. He plays all over it as the ball goes through and rattles the stumps behind him. CSK are 149/3, still needing 55 runs in 43 balls.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Four!FOUR! Finds the gap! Tossed up, full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes down on one knee. He drags his sweep but nails it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Flat and fuller, around the pads of the batter. Kartik Sharma pushes it to long on and gets another single.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Shorter in length and outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad cuts it away wide of point. The fielder puts in an excellent dive to his left to keep it down to just one.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Full-length delivery, just outside off. Kartik Sharma skips down the track and drives it to long off for a single.
Mohammad Shami to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Nearly! Shami bangs this into the pitch, outside off, slower too. Kartik Sharma stays back and cuts it but fails to keep it down. The fielder at backward point leaps up, gets fingertips on it but the ball does not stick in and goes behind. They cross.
Mohammad Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Yorker, just outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad covers the stumps and prods halfway to flick it before letting it pitch on the track. The ball rolls toward the mid-wicket region and the batter gets a single.
Mohammad Shami to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Hard length and on middle, Kartik Sharma stabs it out towards mid on for a run.
Mohammad Shami to Kartik Sharma, 2 runs.Good bouncer, on middle. Kartik Sharma stands tall but fails to connect the pull shot from the middle of his bat. The ball bounces off to the vacant square leg region. The batters calls for two and gets it as well. Good running between the sticks!
Mohammad Shami to Kartik Sharma, No run.Short of a length and around off, takes pace off and gets some extra kick off the deck. Kartik Sharma hops up to cut it away but misses.
Mohammad Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Mohammad Shami rejoins the attack and is ready to bowl his last over. He delivers fuller, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad plants his front foot toward it and works it across the line to long on for a single.
Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Slower one, into the pitch, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it on the bounce to the right of deep square leg for one.
Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, No run.Bangs hard on the length, does Avesh, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad punches at it, but straight to the short extra cover fielder.
Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Wide!WIDE! Avesh Khan loses his shape while releasing the delivery and bowls way past the guideline on the off side. Ruturaj Gaikwad drops his stance and gets the bonus run.
Avesh Khan to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Short of a length and on middle, Kartik Sharma rolls his wrists and pulls it through mid-wicket for another run.
Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.On a length, angling down the leg side, Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it to deep square leg for a single.
Avesh Khan to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Good length and on off, Kartik Sharma pats it in front of cover for a quick single.
Avesh Khan to Kartik Sharma, No run.Avesh Khan returns into the attack and starts off with a high bumper, which is given as a wide. Avesh Khan is not looking happy and Lucknow Super Giants have challenged the decision. Short of a length, wide outside off. Kartik Sharma at first looks to have a shot at it, but ends up leaving it. The umpire calls the wide due to height. The reply shows that the delivery is legal as the ball is the same height as the height of the batter and not more than it. Super Giants retain their review and the on-field decision has been reversed.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Quicker one, flatter too and just a smidge fuller outside off. Kartik Sharma camps back and stabs the ball through point for a single. CSK are 131/2 after 10 overs.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Kartik Sharma, 2 runs.Floated, much fuller, on off, Kartik Sharma prods and drives it neatly toward the left of the long off region for a couple of runs.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Fuller in length, sliding it into the pads, Gaikwad wrists it away through mid-wicket and picks up a single.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Kartik Sharma, 1 run.Full-length delivery, just outside off. Kartik Sharma lunges and pushes it toward the left of the bowler. Shahbaz Ahamad moves to his left but fails to stop it. Single taken.
The Urvil Patel show is over, but he is walking off to a standing ovation from everyone present at the ground. It was an incredible knock. Kartik Sharma comes out to the middle now.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Urvil Patel, OUT! c Avesh Khan b Shahbaz Ahamad.OUT! CAUGHT! Shahbaz Ahamad does finally manage to bring the demise of Urvil Patel, but what a knock he's played here. And he's also put CSK well ahead in the game. Ahamad drags the length back and fires it wide outside the off stump. Patel reaches out and laces the flat-batted shot but hits it straight to the deep cover fielder. Avesh Khan hangs on to a fine low catch and Patel is unhappy with that shot. 78 needed now off 64 balls.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Slower through the air, pitching it fuller, around the pads of the batter. Ruturaj Gaikwad rolls his wrists and flicks it to the vacant mid-wicket region for a comfortable single.
Prince Yadav to Urvil Patel, No run.Patel can't get that one away either and lets out a frustrated grunt. Back of a length and outside off, slightly slower. Patel tries to drag pull towards deep mid-wicket but gets an under edge that rolls behind the stumps.
Prince Yadav to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.On a length, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it to square leg for a single.
Prince Yadav to Urvil Patel, 1 run.In the air... but dropped safely! Good-length delivery, slanting in, on middle. Urvil Patel looks to heave it across the line, but miscues the shot. The ball balloons and drops much short of the deep mid-wicket fielder. Single taken.
Prince Yadav to Urvil Patel, 2 runs.DROPPED! How's he managed to put that down? Prince Yadav continues with the short stuff and angles it into the batter. The ball comes in around shoulder height, an awkward height to deal with and Urvil Patel tries to take it on. He ends up splicing it towards the point region, where Digvesh Singh strolls to his right and almost starts celebrating before having a grasp on the ball. Digvesh ends up spilling the ball and it goes off his body behind. The batters get a couple of runs as well.
Prince Yadav to Urvil Patel, No run.That's good pace and carry from Prince Yadav. Banged in halfway down the pitch, quick and outside off. Patel looks to hop up and uppercut but the ball flies past him.
Prince Yadav to Urvil Patel, No run.Prince Yadav starts off with a slower bouncer, just outside off. Urvil Patel pulls it down to the right side of the bowler.
Urvil Patel might have just tweaked his back while playing the shot. The physio is in to check on him. Here is Prince Yadav to bowl now.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Urvil Patel, 1 run.Slowed up, and floated wide outside off. Urvil Patel tries to fetch and pull but ends up dragging it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1 run.Fullish, middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad leans on the delivery and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Ruturaj Gaikwad, No run.Dropped chance? Shahbaz Ahamad's reaction tells that there might have been a deflection, but these ones either stick or they don't. Quick and flat, outside off, turns away a bit. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to play a late cut but edges it just to the right of the keeper. Rishabh Pant tries to pouch it but the ball deflects off the gloves to short third for a single.
Shahbaz Ahamad to Urvil Patel, 1 run.Short outside off, Urvil Patel punches it with a cross-bat to the deep cover fielder for a single.