A late flourish from Ravindra Jadeja guided the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a two-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Abu Dhabi on Sunday. 

The win was CSK’s third consecutive in the UAE-leg of IPL 2021, taking the MS Dhoni-led side to the summit of the points table with 16 points from 10 games. KKR remain in the fourth spot, with 8 points from 10 matches, but could clip further down the table as Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals also have as many points and have a game in hand.  

Chasing a target of 172, CSK openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (40) and Faf du Plessis (43) started brightly, adding 74 runs for the first wicket. Moeen Ali also chipped in with a handy 32 from 28, as CSK wer cruising at 102/1 halfway through the chase. 

However, KKR took control with a slew of wickets, as Ambati Rayudu (10), Ali, Suresh Raina (11) and MS Dhoni (1) all departed in quick succession. 

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But Jadeja lead a late rally with an 8-ball 22, which was studded with two fours and as many sixes to help his side reach 172 for 8 in 20 overs.

Sunil Narine was a bit expensive on the night, conceding 41 runs in 4 overs, but took three wickets, including the key wicket of Jadeja in the final over to take the match down to the wire. 

Earlier, KKR scored 171 for six after opting to bat. Rahul Tripathi made 45 off 33 balls, while useful contributions also came from Nitish Rana (37 not out) and Dinesh Karthik (26).

India pacer Shardul Thakur was one of the best bowlers for CSK in the game, returning impressive figures of 2/20 in his quota of four overs. He helped CSK curb KKR’s early scoring with a wicket-maiden in his first over, which was the last of the powerplay. 

Thakur dismissed in-form KKR opener Venkatesh Iyer, before bowling five dots to skipper Eoin Morgan. Andre Russell, who pulled up with an injury in the second innings, played a handy cameo, scoring 20 in 15, but it was Karthik’s fireworks towards the end that helped KKR reach a competitive score. 

Josh Hazlewood also picked up two wickets, including that of KKR skipper Eoin Morgan.