Abu Dhabi: In the first match of Sunday's double-header, Kings XI Punjab set a modest 154 runs target for Chennai Super Kings on the back of Deepak Hooda's unbeaten 62 off 30 balls here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday.
In the final match in IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni got ample support from his bowlers after he decided to bowl first against Kings XI Punjab.
With the playoff qualification under threat, KXIP couldn't address the challenge posed by CSK bowlers after starting on a positive note.
Being put in to bat, KL Rahul (29 off 27) and Mayank Agarwal (26 off 15) added 48 runs for the opening wicket. However, their removals in a span of three overs left KXIP reeling at 62 for 2. Both Rahul and Agarwal were bowled by Lungi Ngidi.
They were soon reduced to 68 for 3 in the 11th over and 72 for 4 in the 12th over as Nicholas Pooran and Chris Gayle fell prey to Imran Tahir and Shardul Thakur.
Deepak Hooda (62 off 30 not out) then rebuilt KXIP's innings playing a quickfire knock. Hooda hit four splendid sixes and three fours to help KXIP post a moderate total on the board. But there was no one at the other end to provide support to him. Mandeep Singh stayed for a while but his 15 balls 14 runs knock was cut short by Ravindra Jadeja. Hooda singlehandedly took KXIP past the 150 runs mark.
Lungi soon struck for the third time in the match. This time he picked the wicket of James Neesham in the first delivery of the 18th over. Ngidi bowled four overs and took three wickets giving away 39 runs. In his final over, however, he conceded 14 runs that helped Punjab to post 153 for 6 in regulation 20 overs.
