IPL 2021: The Final, CSK vs KKR - Who Said What

The Chennai Super Kings clinched their fourth IPL title, defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs to narrow their title deficit with Mumbai Indians to just one. The Daddy’s Army entered the edition after a record, uncharacteristic low of 2020, when they failed to make it into the playoffs for the first time, but made a compelling comeback to establish their supremacy in the tournament again.

CSK took the shortest and simplest route to the finale, finishing in the top-two before defeating the table-toppers Delhi Capitals in the first qualifier to book their 9th final berth. And on the big finale night, the experienced unit did not do much wrong. After being put in, the Super Kings were powered to a massive 192/3 on the back of a staggering 59-ball 86 from Faf du Plessis, who was reprieved on 2 by Dinesh Karthik, as he missed a rather easy stumping chance.

Du Plessis smashed seven fours and three sixes in his knock, staying around with each of the other three CSK batters who batted on the night against the somewhat listless KKR bowlers. Doing what he did the entire season, Ruturaj Gaikwad once again provided a flying start to his team, contributing 32 off 27 in the 61-run opening partnership. After Sunil Narine sent Gaikwad back, crucial and brisk cameos from Robin Uthappa (31 off 15) and Moeen Ali (37 off 20) ensured that CSK’s foot was never off the accelerator.

In a tough pursuit of 193, KKR made exactly the kind of start they would have wanted, with Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill adding 91. En route the stand, both enjoyed a fair bit of luck too, as MS Dhoni, playing his 300th match as T20 captain, made a rare mistake with the gloves to drop Iyer on a duck, while Gill, too, had a lucky escape. With a master of handling crunch situations operating behind the stumps, CSK did well to handle the pressure in the face of KKR’s brisk start before a double-wicket Shardul Thakur over swayed the momentum in their favour.

CSK’s comeback in the game was also down to some brilliance in the field, with Ravindra Jadeja holding onto a difficult catch off Thakur to see the back of Iyer (50 off 32) only two balls before Nitish Rana picked du Plessis to go back with a golden duck. KKR were minus Rahul Tripathi, who injured himself in the game and did not bat in his usual No. 3 position.

KKR endured a collapse, going down from 91/0 to 125/8, with Rana, Narine, Morgan, Karthik, Shakib and Tripathi adding 17 off 22 combined. Lockie Ferguson (18 off 11) and Shivam Mavi (20 off 13) hung around and swung the bat briefly but their efforts were only as good as mitigating the margin of KKR’s loss. Thakur returned with three wickets; Hazlewood and Jadeja two each, while Chahar and Bravo one each to make it CSK’s night.

Winning skipper MS Dhoni:

Before I start talking about CSK, it’s important I talk about KKR. For the position they were in after the first phase, to perform this well, it’s very difficult. If any team deserved to win the IPL this year, it is KKR for the way they have played. I think the break helped them. Yes we are most consistent team looking at the stats but we have also lost finals. Not letting the opposition in is something we conciously wanted to improve. I hope CSK in the coming years will be known for that. We don’t really talk a lot. It’s more one on one. People are more open that way. The moment you talk in a team room there is a bit of pressure. You can’t deliver without a good team. We also have great individuals as well. I would love to thank the fans. We are in Dubai now. Even when we played in South Africa, we always got good amount of support. Thanks to all of them. If feels like Chepauk, Chennai. Hopefully we will come back to play of the Chennai fans next year.

Losing skipper Eoin Morgan:

Extremely proud of the fight the boys have put in. Today unfortunately wasn’t ours. Venkatesh is new to this platform but has a huge future. Him and Gill have been the cornerstone of our batting. The energy Tripathi showed was absolutely outstanding.

Player of the Match Faf du Plessis:

That was a great day. 100th IPL game, special day. I loved my time here at CSK, almost 10 years. No 4 in the IPL trophy cabinet is really good. Rutu is a special talent. Indian cricket in generally very blessed with young talents. Rutu has got a great head on his shoulders. He has got a great future.