A six over backward square leg and KL Rahul finished a 135-run chase in the 13th over. Punjab Kings defeated the Chennai Super Kings by six wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, keeping their playoff hopes alive on technicality. 

KL Rahul scored 98 runs off 42 balls at a strike rate of 233.33.   The skipper and Mayank Agarwal (12) put on 46 in just 4.3 overs before he dominated another partnership with Shahrukh Khan (8) for the third wicket, adding 34 runs in four overs.

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None of the CSK bowlers was able to stop a marauding Rahul as Punjab Kings went on the offensive in a bid to win quickly and boost their net run-rate. Despite the easy win, Punjab’s NRR did not go past fourth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders with both teams on 12 with the latter set to play later in the night.

Earlier, Punjab Kings limited Chennai Super Kings to 134 for 6 despite Faf du Plessis’ 76 off 55 balls.

“Absolutely brilliant hitting from KL Rahul, top class . Was a delight to watch. When someone has this kind of ability and can take away the match from any opposition ,why would one play a different role, or be assigned a role anything apart from playing in this style,” Virender Sehwag tweeted. 

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The 29-year-old is now the leading run-scorer of the season. In 13 innings he has scored 626 runs at an 62.5 and a 140+ strike rate. He has hit six half-centuries in IPL 2021. 

Rahul has the best batting average this season. He has the best strike rate amongst batsmen with minimum 500 runs. 

“Watching KL Rahul bat today was like being at an art gallery and seeing one jaw dropping exhibit after another,” Harsha Bhogale said. 

For Punjab, leggie Ravi Bishnoi impressed in a spell of 4-0-25-1 which included the scalp of CSK captain M S Dhoni while Arshdeep Singh (2/35) and Chris Jordan (2/20) did a good job for Punjab.