IPL 2018: Match 12, KXIP vs CSK – Most Valuable and Liable player of the game

MS Dhoni yet again produced a classical knock against the Kings XI Punjab but Ravi Ashwin-led team came on the top by a mere 4-run margin. The home side’s decision to include Chris Gayle in the playing XI worked big time for them as the destructive opener scored a 33-ball 63 on his debut for KXIP. The KXIP’s middle-order struggle yet again as they finished with 197/7 on the board from 127/1 in the 12th over. MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 79-run knock nearly took away the game that KXIP hand in their pockets as CSK needed 65 from the last 21 balls.

The Chennai Super Kings captain turned out to be the most valuable player of the game despite ending on the losing side. Dhoni hit six fours and five sixes during his 44-ball 79 and also took two catches behind the stumps. His performances were valued at 97 lakhs as per the CricTracker’s player value algorithm. Despite all his efforts, Dhoni could only earn 0.97 times his average match salary as he was retained by CSK for a whopping 15 crores. Chris Gayle’s knock, which included seven fours and four sixes, valued at 70.5 lakhs.

Gayle was bought by KXIP at his base price of 2 crores as his match performances are equal to 4.94 times his average match salary. Deepak Chahar turned out to be the liable player of the game as his contribution was restricted to only eight dot balls due to the Gayle storm. Aaron Finch escaped from being the liable player of the game for the second consecutive game by ending on the winning side. Finch bagged golden duck for the 2nd consecutive game in this season.

Ambati Rayudu was the only player to be valued 50+ lakhs as he made a crucial 35-ball 49 at the top with five fours and a six. The Indian batsman was bought for 2.2 crores as his match returns were valued 3.34 times his average match price. KXIP’s Mayank Agarwal and CSK’s Imran Tahir valued 32.5 lakhs and 30 lakhs respectively for their game performances which were more than four times their average match salary.