IPL 2021: Turning point of the final between CSK and KKR

So, it is the lions from Chennai who have roared their way to their 4th IPL crown. The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the summit clash of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by 27 runs to emerge as the champions of the 14th IPL edition.

Batting first, the ‘Men in Yellow’ piled up a colossal total of 192/3, with Faf du Plessis leading the way. The South African right-hander scored a classy 59-ball 86 at the top of the order. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa chipped in with 32 and 31 respectively, while Moeen Ali applied the finishing touches, and scored a quickfire 20-ball 37*.

In reply, the KKR openers gave an excellent start to their side. Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill put on a blazing partnership of 91 runs and sent the CSK side on a leather hunt. But then, Iyer’s departure in the 11th over of the match completely swung the momentum in CSK’s favour, and that is also the turning point of the 2021 IPL final.

Ravindra Jadeja’s catch to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer

Surely, when Venkatesh Iyer was going all guns blazing, and till the left-hander was out in the middle, the CSK fans would have not been comfortable. Iyer scored a blistering 50 off just 32 deliveries to set the tone for the chase.

But then, his innings came to an end in the 11th over of the KKR innings. Shardul Thakur bowled a delivery outside off stump, Iyer went for an expansive drive and the ball went miles in the air.

Iyer had got the height, but he had not got the distance, and the ball went in the direction of deep cover. Ravindra Jadeja, who was stationed there, kept his eyes on the ball like a hawk, ran towards his left, and completed a sensational catch. Iyer departed, and with his dismissal, the hopes of the KKR fans went up in smoke as well. And from 91/0, the KKR side ended up with a total of 165/9.

Apart from that, Jadeja also completed another good catch to dismiss Sunil Narine. Off the second ball he faced, Narine went for the pull, and the ball travelled towards deep mid-wicket. And Jadeja, who is as safe as a house, pouched another excellent catch in the deep.

Narine had proven to be the game-changer in the match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side in the Eliminator and had struck a match winning 15-ball 26. It was Jadeja the fielder, who once again came to CSK’s rescue in the final!