Losing streak over; MSD heroics helps CSK cross the line against LSG

LUCKNOW: It has been proven once again that age has not dampened the finisher in him one bit. Chennai, who were scared of the embarrassment of a sixth consecutive defeat, were guided to victory by MS Dhoni with an 11-ball 26. Chennai chased down the target of 167 runs set by Lucknow in 19.3 overs for the loss of five wickets. Shivam Dube's unbeaten 43* (37) was also crucial in Chennai's victory. Dhoni's innings included four fours and a six.

Chasing the target, Chennai got off to a good start with openers Shaik Rasheed (27(19)) and Rachin Ravindra (37(22)). The partnership was broken when Rasheed was dismissed by Avesh Khan in the fifth ball of the fifth over. Rachin Ravindra was caught in front of the wicket by Aiden Markram in the last ball of the eighth over. Soon after, Rahul Tripathi (9(10)) and Ravindra Jadeja (7(11)) also fell, putting Chennai in trouble. When Vijay Shankar was dismissed for 9(8) in the 15th over, Chennai's score was 111-5.

When MS Dhoni and Shivam Dube came together at the crease, Chennai were 56 runs away from victory in 30 balls. The target for victory in the last two overs was 24 runs. But having MS Dhoni at the crease was a hope for Chennai. Shivam Dube turned the game in Chennai's favor by hitting a four in the first ball and a six in a no-ball in the second ball of the 19th over bowled by Shardul Thakur. With 19 runs falling in this over, Chennai needed just five runs in the last over.

Batting first, Lucknow Supergiants scored 166 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Captain Rishabh Pant, who finally returned to form, scored a half-century of 63 (49) to take Lucknow to a good score.

Lucknow lost the wicket of opener Aiden Markram on the last ball of the first over. The player who scored six runs from six balls was dismissed by Rahul Tripathi with a brilliant catch off Khaleel Ahmed. Nicholas Pooran, who is playing in brilliant form, was dismissed for 8 (9) runs. Mitchell Marsh 30(25) and Rishabh Pant put on a 50-run partnership for the third wicket.

When Mitchell Marsh was dismissed in the 10th over by Jadeja, Ayush Badoni came to the crease. He scored 22 runs off 17 balls and was stumped by MS Dhoni off Jadeja. Abdul Samad was run out in the last over for 20(11). Shardul Thakur was dismissed for 6(4) while David Miller remained unbeaten. Ravindra Jadeja and Matheesha Pathirana took two wickets for Chennai, while Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed took one wicket each.