IPL 2020 CSK vs KXIP: Ruturaj knocks Kings XI Punjab out of the tournament with third fifty in a row

IPL 2020 CSK vs KXIP: Ruturaj knocks Kings XI Punjab out of the tournament with third fifty in a row
Ruturaj Gaikwad versus Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by 9 wickets to knock them out of Dream11 IPL 2020. This was the last league game for both the teams in the tournament and a must-win game for the KXIP side. CSK are already out of the race for the playoffs but finished the season on a winning note as they foiled the chances of KXIP to qualify in the final stage of the tournament.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the star for CSK who achieved a unique feat as he became the first CSK player to smash three fifties in a row in IPL history. CSK won the toss and allowed KXIP to put runs on the board. KXIP batting faltered in their innings and could only make 153/6 after 20 overs.

Chasing KXIP’s target CSK started on a good note with Faf du Plessis and Gaikwad opening the innings again. The duo played without any pressure and added 82 runs for the first wicket after which du Plessis departed for 48 runs. Gaikwad played a mature inning and continued the run chase with Ambati Rayudu. He added another fifty run stand with Rayudu as CSK completed the chase with ease. Gaikwad made 62 from 49 balls with 6 fours and 1 six. Rayudu made 30 runs in 30 balls, as CSK made 154/1 with 7 balls to spare.

Chris Jordan took the only wicket of the innings for 22 runs in three overs. Bishnoi was expensive with 39 runs in four overs. M Ashwin was economical in his spell with just 17 runs but no other bowler could help KXIP as they were knocked out of the tournament.

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Deepak Hooda rescues KXIP

Deepak Hooda for Kings XI Punjab

KXIP started cautiously with were reduced to 108/5 with half of the batting lineup in the pavilion. Deepak Hooda played a fine knock as he managed to put KXIP to a respectable target.

Starting the batting Mayank Agarwal returned to the team after an injury crisis as orange cap holder KL Rahul and Agarwal started for KXIP. Agarwal got bowled to Lungi Ngidi in the last over of the powerplay for 26 runs. Rahul followed his partner in a similar fashion after 3 overs. He made 29 runs in 27 balls with 3 fours and a six. The new batters for KXIP got out cheaply with Nicholas Pooran for 2 runs and Chris Gayle for 12 runs. Imran Tahir dismissed Gayle for the first time in IPL history.

Mandeep could only add 15 runs after getting bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Deepak Hooda played the vital knock to take KXIP to a respectable score. KXIP were 108/5 in 16th over. Hooda took responsibility and played attacking shots in the death overs. As a result of his 62 runs knock KXIP managed 153/6 after 20 overs.

With this loss, the KXIP’s journey in IPL 2020 comes to an end in their last group stage match. They end their season with 8 losses and 6 wins in 14 games of the tournament. CSK also finished on the same points tally with 6 wins in 14 games of the tournament.

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