While CSK were playing to restore their number 1 position at the points table of IPL 2018, KKR were playing to clinch the third position and solidify their position for the playoffs.
Batting first, CSK put on a respectable 177-5. They had a good opening stand (yet again) thanks to Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis. This was followed by Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu contributing alongside MS Dhoni.
While initially it seemed enough, KKR had no plans to settle the match until the very end. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine began the innings like they usually do – hitting the ball all across the park. But it was Shubham Gill and captain Dinesh Kartik who stole the show for the hosts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Shubham Gill scored a stunning 57 off 36 balls while Dinesh Kartik made 45 off 18 balls winning the game for KKR with 6 wickets and 14 balls to spare.
Despite KKR’s win, it was MS Dhoni who stole a healthy amount of spotlight for his hitting. Despite the match being played in Eden Gardens, the chants of Dhoni-Dhoni were evident from the stands.
Continuing his run of good form, MS Dhoni scored 43 off a mere 25 balls to add to his 300+ run tally for the season already.
Dhoni – Rayudu stands in #IPL2018
57 v KXIP
101 v RCB
79 v DD
– All ended Rayudu getting run out#KKRvCSK— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) May 3, 2018
#Yellove all across! As the,
DHONI!
DHONI!
Chants raise at E-den, CSK – 117/3 after 14 overs. #WhistlePodu #Yellove #KKRvCSK ??— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 3, 2018
Normally the Eden Gardens is a sea of purple. But lots and lots of yellow in here. And they have had a bit to cheer already! #KKRvCSK
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 3, 2018
A minute ago it was 3.3M viewing in Hotstar. Thala walks in and it's suddenly 4.5M. #Dhoni #CSK #WhistlePodu #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/SSGo0bxScF
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) May 3, 2018
MS Dhoni becomes the first skipper to hit 23 or more sixes in three different seasons of IPL. (2011, 2013 and 2018)
Kohli (2015 and 2016) and Warner (2016 and 2017) have done it in two different seasons for their teams.#KKRvCSK
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/UjjwalGorai19/status/992072671155306496
Thala! Leading us from the front as always! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #KKRvCSK ??
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 3, 2018
En route to his 43, Dhoni also became the player with the maximum number of sixes in IPL 2018.
Most sixes in 2018 IPL:
24 ~ Dhoni
23 ~ Gayle
23 ~ ABD
23 ~ Russell— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 3, 2018
Dhoni haters right now.
????#CSKvsKKR pic.twitter.com/5JBLnHHlQ1— TUSHAR KHARE ?? (@TUSHARKHARE14) May 3, 2018
While CSK were batting and Dhoni was all padded up, an eager fan couldn’t wait to seek his blessings. His iconic status seems justified when fans go to this extent to get close to him.
Love unparalleled #VIVOIPL #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/kektbKnDVw
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2018
The second half of the innings belonged entirely to Shubham Gill who was promoted to number 4 for the first time this season. His first half century of the season, got the Twitter really going:
I will be seeing a lot of Shubman Gill in the years ahead. And I will enjoy what I will see. Special.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 3, 2018
Shubman Gill gaa ??? pic.twitter.com/U56QfwToaN
— …. (@ynakg2) May 3, 2018
Shubman Gill gets to bat in the top order for the first time this season and he delivers with a match-winning fifty.
He was sent in at No.7 four times and No. 6 once before getting to bat at No. 4 today. #KKRvCSK
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 3, 2018
Shubman Gill is the 4th youngest to score a fifty in IPL after Sanju Samson, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant. #KKRvCSK
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 3, 2018
Promoted Up The Order And Grabbed The Opportunity Like A BOSS. Maiden #IPL Half-century For U-19 Player Of The Tournament Shubman Gill. It's His Night To Glory Tonight. ??#KKRvCSK #KKRvsCSK #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/p68nl52PZV
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) May 3, 2018
Some other miscellaneous tweets that caught our attentions:
https://twitter.com/KOHLI_JEE2/status/992102338163814400
Deadly combo of MS Dhoni & Rayudu. Just can?t stop admiring these two. ?#KKRvCSK
— Tanya Gupta (@Quirky_30) May 3, 2018
DK is acing the role of a perfect FINISHER and that with ease. ??@DineshKarthik ? #KKRvCSK
— Venkat (@venkposts) May 3, 2018
Dinesh Karthik is impressive with his Captaincy… VK should learn from DK..#KKRvCSK #IPL #IPL2018 @RCBTweets @KKRiders @imVkohli @DineshKarthik
— Shareq Inamdar (@itssrq) May 3, 2018
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
#KKRvCSK Marvellously Done!!!
Well played DK n Company…..Undoubtedly Eden's our den?Fantastic innings that frm @SubhmanG?…worth remembering…..
Ab toh definitely #KKRHaiTaiyaar@iamsrk#KorboLorboJeetbo ??— Kishan Agrawal (@kishn_Agr) May 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/IPLT20_Official/status/992102318194741249
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It was a good victory for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Their fans will be hoping this momentum carries on.
