IPL 2021: Jadeja’s all-round show helps Chennai snatch last-ball win against Kolkata

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Ravindra Jadeja's all-round show helped Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets in a nail-biting Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

With a hat-trick of wins in the UAE leg of IPL 2021, Chennai re-gain their top position on the points table, demoting Delhi Capitals to second place.

Chennai won by two wickets as it successfully chased down Kolkata’s 171-6 to reach 172-8 in exactly 20 overs.

In a match full of twists and turns, it was Chennai who came out on top when it mattered the most. Chasing 172, Jadeja smashed 22 runs off eight deliveries and smacking Prasidh Krishna for two sixes and as many fours in the 19th over, after taking 1/21 in four overs.

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But West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine (3-41) had Sam Curran caught in the deep off the first ball in the last over and then trapped Jadeja leg before wicket off the fifth delivery when only one run was needed for victory.

Ravindra Jadeja poses for a photo with his man of the match trophy.

Deepak Chahar ensured Chennai won off the final ball as he swept Narine to midwicket as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team went top with 16 points from 10 games.

Earlier, Kolkata's lower order did well to boost the total after its captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and chose to bat. Rahul Tripathi top scored with 45 off 33 but it was Nitish Rana (37 not out off 27) and Dinesh Karthik (26 off 11) which propelled Kolkata’s total in the last three overs.

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was expensive for his figures of 2-40 off four overs but Shardul Thakur (2-20) and Jadeja (1-21) bowled well in the middle overs.

Kolkata is still in contention for the playoffs and is at No.4 with eight points from 10 matches, the same as fifth-placed Punjab Kings. Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals also have eight points but have played a game less.