Mumbai: Faf du Plessis' turbocharged 95 runs off 60 balls and Ruturaj Gaikwad's blistering 64 along with some explosive batting in the latter part of the innings by Moeen Ali and MS Dhoni took CSK to 220-3 in the allotted 20 overs here at Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
Opting to bowl after winning the toss seemed like a misjudgement on Eoin Morgan's part as the duo of Faf and Rituraj went on to share a century partnership (115-run) and stayed on the strip till the 12th over of the match.
Rituraj's form in particular must bring some relief in CSK's camp as he plundered boundaries sparing no one, not even the best bowler in the world -- Pat Cummins. Meanwhile, he completed his fifth IPL half-century off 33 balls ending his poor run in the first three games. His knock was studded with four sixes and six fours.
At the end of 10 overs, CSK were cruising at 82-0. After Rituraj's dismissal to Varun Chakravarthy, Moeen Ali came to the crease and scored a quickfire 25 runs from 12 balls, including two sixes and as many fours, before getting dismissed by Sunil Narine in the 17th over. MS Dhoni too kept the acceleration going with 17 runs in just 8 deliveries. He was sent back to the pavilion by Andre Russell in the 19th over.
Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on six runs after sending the last ball of the innings over the rope. In the last five overs, CSK batters accumulated 70 runs as KKR failed to find momentum in their favour. Du Plessis remained unbeaten on 95 runs off 60 balls including four sixes and nine fours.
For KKR, Narine, Russell and Chakravarthy bagged one wicket each.
Brief Scores:
Chennai Super Kings: 220-3 (Faf du Plessis (95 runs off 60 balls), Ruturaj Gaikwad (64 off 41); Varun Chakravarthy - 1-27) vs Kolkata Knight Riders
