IPL 2020 Highlights, CSK vs KXIP Match, Full Cricket Score: Gaikwad, Rayudu help Chennai clinch imposing nine-wicket win over Punjab

CSK win by nine wickets with seven balls to spare. KXIP are out of IPL 2020. They were on the brink of elimination long back, from there on, they fought back with five consecutive wins but the journey is finally over.

After 18 overs,Chennai Super Kings 149/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 60 , Ambati Rayudu 27)

If KXIP hoped Shami would help them pull things back, the hopes have been dashed. 11 from the over and only 5 is needed now. There was four leg byes as a short ball hit Ruturaj’s helmet and went over Rahul. Ruturaj replied with a front foot pull shot as he got a boundary through midwicket.

FOUR! A confident shot by Ruturaj. A front foot pull shot in front of square as Shami drops it short

FOUR! A snorter by Shami. A well-directed short ball and there was mostly a top-edge from Ruturaj as it flew over Rahul for a boundary

After 17 overs,Chennai Super Kings 138/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 54 , Ambati Rayudu 26)

After Ruturaj’s fifty, the partnership between him and Rayudu touches the half-century mark. Eight from Jordan’s over with a boundary for Rayudu as he threw the kitchen sink on the wide short ball to force it through the empty cover area. The run rate is under six and only 16 is needed from here.

This is the third consecutive fifty-plus score for Gaikwad this IPL

FOUR! Rayudu dances down and stretches his arm to cut the wide delivery through the empty cover area

After 16 overs,Chennai Super Kings 130/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 52 , Ambati Rayudu 20)

Bishnoi back into attack. It has been a bad day in the office for the leggie as he gives away 12 runs in the over but Ruturaj is playing another classy innings. He scored two boundaries in the over, both inside-out cover drives as he reaches to his third consecutive fifty. 24 more needed for CSK.

FOUR! FIFTY! Another elegant shot. Another inside-out cover drive but this time from standing at the crease. Ruturaj is showing his class as he completes his third consecutive fifty.

FOUR! Excellent shot. He came down, moved a bit towards leg and played the inside-out cover drive to add a boundary

After 15 overs,Chennai Super Kings 118/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 42 , Ambati Rayudu 18)

Murugan Ashwin continues. Five from the over. There was a chance of a wicket but Rahul put down the chance. Rayudu came down to cut hard and edged the length ball, however, Rahul failed to collect the catch. 36 needed from here.

After 14 overs,Chennai Super Kings 113/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 41 , Ambati Rayudu 14)

Every run is valuable here for KXIP and fielders have been guilty in the over for offering one for free. Ruturaj places his shot to the vacant midwicket area for a double but Pooran’s throw from deep was not collected as the double became a triple. Ruturaj collects a boundary on the last ball as he steers the short ball in the gap between backward point and short third man.

FOUR! Excellent batting from Ruturaj and Neesham is disappointed. The short ball has been steered excellently through the gap between point and short third man

After 13 overs,Chennai Super Kings 103/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 32 , Ambati Rayudu 13)

Ashwin back into the attack. After two dot balls, Rayudu takes a single on third delivery to bring 100 up for CSK. There could have been a run out chance if the throw from midwicket was at bowler’s end as Rayudu was quite eager for a double. Three more singles on the next three deliveries. Four off the over. CSK need 51 from here.

After 12 overs,Chennai Super Kings 99/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 30 , Ambati Rayudu 11)

Bishnoi replaces Jordan. 10 from the over. The CSK batsmen are doing the right thing. Taking runs on almost every delivery to keep the pressure at bay. Rayudu also added a boundary as he cut the short ball on off past point. CSK need 55.

FOUR! Rayudu grabs the opportunity as the googly is bowled short and wide, The batsman rocks back and cuts it for four on off

After 11 overs,Chennai Super Kings 89/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 28 , Ambati Rayudu 4)

KXIP call Shami back into the attack immediately after a fall of a wicket. Five from the over with Ruturaj and Rayudu rotating strikes. CSK need 65 from here.

After 10 overs,Chennai Super Kings 84/1 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 27 , Ambati Rayudu 0)

After wrong decisions and controversial calls, KXIP finally have a wicket. Jordan called back into the attack and strikes by taking pace off the ball as he saw Faf attempting a scoop shot. Faf failed to find the distance and Rahul grabbed the catch. Rayudu joins Ruturaj in the middle. CSK still need 70 from here.

WICKET! du Plessis c Rahul b Jordan 48(34)

Finally a breakthrough for KXIP. Jordan did really well three by taking the pace off the ball. Faf attempted a scoop shot but didn’t get the distance and Rahul ran towards short fine leg and took the catch.

FOUR! Slightly overpitched delivery from Jordan and Faf lofts it to cover. Didn’t time the shot well but the area was empty

After 9 overs,Chennai Super Kings 72/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 25 , Faf du Plessis 38)

Decent over by Murugan Ashwin. Just three from it as he hits the hard lengths and keeps the deliveries outside off. CSK still need 82 to win.

After 8 overs,Chennai Super Kings 69/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 24 , Faf du Plessis 36)

KXIP almost had their first breakthrough in Bishnoi’s over but the third umpire’s decision went against them. Ruturaj’s cut shot was taken by Mandeep at backward point with a dive. There was some confusion about the cleanliness of the catch, umpire asked for a review and while the soft signal was out, third umpire overturned the decision. Seven from the over.

FOUR! Rubbing salt on the wounds. Ruturaj gets a reprieve and then adds a boundary with a cut shot past backward point fielder

OUT! NOT OUT!

It looked like Mandeep had got Ruturaj out with a brilliant diving catch at backward point. The soft signal was also out but the decision was overturned by the third umpire.

After 7 overs,Chennai Super Kings 62/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 19 , Faf du Plessis 34)

Murugan Ashwin comes into the attack. Two singles off the first two deliveries and then a wicket, well almost. Faf was given out, caught behind down the leg but he reviewed it immediately. The replays showed that there was no contact from the bat. Three more singles added in the over. CSK now need 92 more. Time for a strategic break.

Worst economy rate in PP overs this IPL:

8.27 – Rajasthan Royals 
8.11 – Kings XI Punjab
7.83 – Kolkata Knight Riders

REVIEW AND NOT OUT!

Faf was given out caught behind down the leg but replays showed that there was no contact with the bat, in fact the ball hit the top of the pad.

After 6 overs,Chennai Super Kings 57/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 17 , Faf du Plessis 31)

Another expensive over for KXIP as Ravi Bishnoi comes into the attack. Faf collects 10 runs on the first two deliveries. The first one was beautifully driven through covers for a boundary while the second one, outside off length delivery, was calmly slotted over midoff for a maximum. Three leg byes in the over as well as 13 come off it. CSK have made brilliant use of the powerplay and KXIP have failed to pick up early wickets.

SIX! Faf picks up the delivery of Bishnoi from outside off and lofts it over midoff for a maximum

FOUR! Tossed up delivery from Bishnoi, there was room on offer as well and Faf beautifully caressed it through the covers

After 5 overs,Chennai Super Kings 44/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 17 , Faf du Plessis 21)

It seems like the pitch has become better for batting. Hooda made use of the easing up in the later part of KXIP’s innings and even CSK openers are finding it much easier to bat on it. Another expensive over for Punjab as Shami returns to the attack and gives away 12 runs. Ruturaj hit a four on the first ball with a beautiful check drive through covers, Faf also added a boundary with a shot down the ground.

FOUR! Faf drives the ball down the ground from the toe-end of his bat, past Shami and the diving midoff fielder

FOUR! A beautiful boundary for Ruturaj. He leaned forward into the checked drive for a boiundary as Shami pitched the ball outside off

After 4 overs,Chennai Super Kings 32/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 12 , Faf du Plessis 14)

Neesham called back into the attack. Seeing Ruturaj, Faf has also decided to attack the ball running down. The first one went straight to midoff. The second delivery was punched to cover and the third one was flat-batted down the ground that Hooda dropped after putting in a dive as he ran back for the catch. Faf added a six eventually with a scoop shot behind the wicket. 10 from the over. If Neesham’s job is to restrict runs, the plan didn’t work in this over.

SIX! Another maximum for CSK and this comes from Faf’s bat. A clever scoop which he premeditated and executed excellently

DROPPED! A very difficult chance for Hooda who was running back to take Faf’s catch after the batsman flat-batted the shot down the ground

After 3 overs,Chennai Super Kings 22/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 11 , Faf du Plessis 5)

So Neesham is out of the attack. Chris Jordan is in. A single for Faf on the second delivery as he drops it in front of the cover and that brings Ruturaj on strike, who is finding the fielders with all his shots. So he tries to clear the circle on leg with a pull shot but only manages a single double. The release shot, however, comes on the next delivery as he shimmies down to place the short ball past midwicket fence for a six and finishes the over with a double. 11 from the over.

SIX! 80 meters six by Ruturaj. He runs down at the short ball and the pick up shot takes the ball over midwicket fence

After 2 overs,Chennai Super Kings 11/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 1 , Faf du Plessis 4)

As expected Shami is into the attack now from the other end. Makes a good start by bowling on length in the channel outside off, makes Ruturaj play two false shots as he gets beaten trying to drive. But after five dot balls, one swings away down the leg for five wides. The last delivery is also a dot ball.

After 1 overs,Chennai Super Kings 6/0 ( Ruturaj Gaikwad 1 , Faf du Plessis 4)

It’s a surprise that Neesham is bowling the first over and not Shami. More of a defensive move with KXIP not showing intent from the first over. Neesham, however, gives away just six runs. Ruturaj got off the mark with a push on off, there was also a loud appeal from Rahul for a caught behind against Faf as the ball strayed down leg but it was called a wide. Faf opens his account with a boundary on off. Shami was seen warming up, so he should be bowling from the other end.

FOUR! Faf gets the first boundary of the innings for CSK with a cover drive on the off. Bishnoi gave it a chase but failed to cut it off.

Time for the chase! 

KXIP need to defend 153 to win but more importantly to stay alive in IPL 2020. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis will open for CSK. James Neesham will bowl the first over.

Deepak Hooda: Very pleased with my batting. If we bowl well, make use of the change of pace, some of them stick on the surface. I was trying to be positive, if it was in my zone, I was going for my shots.

After 20 overs,Kings XI Punjab 153/6 ( Deepak Hooda 62 , Chris Jordan 4)

The responsibility of bowling the final over has been given to Lungi Ngidi. Hooda once again hammers the ball towards covers for a four.  A run out appeal off the fifth, but Hooda was comfortably in on second glance. Hooda slogs the penultimate ball for another six, this time towards the leg side. 14 runs off the over. Deepak Hooda’s late flourish has helped KXIP post 153/6 before CSK. Definitely, something for the KXIP bowlers to work with!

SIX! Talk about finishing it in style! Hooda slogs it across the line for a maximum.

FOUR! Nice shot again, Hooda was outside the off stump even before the ball was bowled. So, he is reading the mind of the bowler. Hammers the ball towards covers.

This is Hooda’s second fifty in IPL. His first fifty came while playing for RR against DC in 2015.

After 19 overs,Kings XI Punjab 139/6 ( Deepak Hooda 50 , Chris Jordan 3)

Shardul into the penultimate over of the innings and his final. Hooda goes over the covers for a boundary off the second and then gets off the mark, bringing up his half-century in the process. 10 runs off the over.

50! Hooda brings up his half-century in just 26 balls. All the more valuable in the context of the game. He’s taken charge and provided KXIP the much-needed flourish.The work’s not fully done yet.

FOUR! Deepak Hooda dances down the track and goes over the infield on the off side for a boundary.

After 18 overs,Kings XI Punjab 129/6 ( Deepak Hooda 43 , Chris Jordan 0)

Ngidi returns and once again, gets the breakthrough. Neesham pulls, but not well enough and Gaikwad completes a remarkable diving catch. Hooda slices the second for a six over point. MSD reviews for caught behind off the third, Hooda is the man in danger, but the umpire turns it down. Slower one from Ngidi off the fourth and once again, Hooda thumps the ball over the off side. Ngidi goes for the wide yorker off the penultimate ball, but a bit too wide, and the umpire signals a wide. Costly over this, 16 runs and a wicket off it.

SIX! Second one in the over. Slower one from Ngidi and Hooda whacks it over covers for a maximum.

SIX! Deepak Hooda creams it over point for a maximum. Superb timing on that one.

OUT! Short from Ngidi, Neesham pulls it towards the leg side. No timing on that one and Gaikwad completes a remarkable diving catch. KXIP are crumbling here**. Neesham c Ruturaj Gaikwad b Ngidi 2(3)**

After 17 overs,Kings XI Punjab 113/5 ( Deepak Hooda 28 , James Neesham 2)

Jadeja into his third over. The last two overs have been very productive for KXIP. Mandeep goes for the wild slog on the leg side off the second. The ball though keeps low, skids off the surface and rattles Mandeep’s stumps. No boundary in that over, just six runs off it, all through singles and doubles, and another wicket.

OUT! CLEAN BOWLED! Mandeep goes for the slog on the leg side. Wrong decision to play across the line on that occasion. Jadeja rattles the batsman’s stumps**. Mandeep b Jadeja 14(15)**

After 16 overs,Kings XI Punjab 107/4 ( Mandeep Singh 14 , Deepak Hooda 24)

Tahir returns for his final over. Mandeep chops the ball towards covers for a single. The ball lands anxiously short of the man at long on off the third, Hooda was the man in danger. Hooda goes over the covers for a six off the last ball. Costly over that, 12 runs off it.

SIX! Right in the slot for Hooda, who goes over covers for a massive six. That’s the big boundary on that side.

After 15 overs,Kings XI Punjab 95/4 ( Mandeep Singh 12 , Deepak Hooda 14)

Jadeja into his second over. Both batsmen just nudging the ball into the gaps in that over as they collect seven runs off it, through two doubles and three singles. CSK won’t mind as long as they don’t concede boundaries.

After 14 overs,Kings XI Punjab 88/4 ( Mandeep Singh 10 , Deepak Hooda 9)

Chahar returns. Starts off with a short one against Mandeep, who helps the ball on its way for a four towards square leg. Hooda pulls the final ball for a four towards square leg. 11 runs off the over, this will release some pressure for KXIP.

FOUR! Again, short from Chahar and this time, Hooda pulls it towards square leg.

FOUR! Short from Chahar and Mandeep just helps the ball on its way for a boundary towards square leg.

After 13 overs,Kings XI Punjab 77/4 ( Mandeep Singh 4 , Deepak Hooda 4)

So, we have two right handers at the crease and Jadeja comes into the attack. Mandeep and Hooda have a fair bit of rebuilding to do and then they have to go for the meaty blows in the slog overs. Just four runs off Jadeja’s first, through two singles and a double. And we head into the strategic time out!

After 12 overs,Kings XI Punjab 73/4 ( Mandeep Singh 3 , Deepak Hooda 1)

Tahir into his third over. Gayle has to be there till the end to ensure KXIP post a respectable target for CSK. He can’t leave much for the middle order, knowing fully well that it has been fragile so far in the tournament. But much to CSK’s delight, Tahir traps Gayle LBW off the penultimate delivery. Four runs and a wicket off the over. KXIP are in trouble.

OUT! Tahir traps Gayle LBW. KXIP called for a referral but Gayle got no bat on that one. Big wicket, who will take charge for KXIP today? Gayle lbw b Tahir 12(19)

After 11 overs,Kings XI Punjab 69/3 ( Chris Gayle 11 , Mandeep Singh 1)

KXIP batters have adopted the cautious approach against the spinners. Pace is back in the form of Shardul, let’s see what they do now. Oh no! Pooran tries to pull off the third but edges it straight into MSD’s gloves. Another new batsman in and that might stem the flow of runs, unless Gayle accelerates. Good over that, just four runs and a wicket off it.

Out! Third wicket down. Short from Thakur, the ball takes an inside edge off Pooran’s bat and Dhoni completes a simple catch behind the stumps. Pooran c Dhoni b Thakur 2(6)

After 10 overs,Kings XI Punjab 65/2 ( Chris Gayle 9 , Nicholas Pooran 1)

Tahir returns. Starts off with two dots against Gayle, the first one being a wrong ‘un. Gayle nudges the third towards long on for a single while Pooran does the same off the next ball. Just three runs off the over. With Gayle at the crease, we aren’t gonna see too many singles.

Chennai Super Kings’ economy rate of 8.15 in middle-overs this IPL is the second worst among all the teams.

After 9 overs,Kings XI Punjab 62/2 ( Chris Gayle 7 , Nicholas Pooran 0)

Ngidi into his second over. Gayle inside edges the first but thankfully, not on to the stumps. Rahul swings and misses off the second, before getting clean bowled by the South African off the next. Pooran joins his fellow southpaw Gayle in the middle. Superb over this, just one run and a wicket off it.

OUT! KL Rahul departs. Big wicket this. Beautiful change of pace from Ngidi, Rahul tried to target the leg side but the ball rattled his stumps. Rahul b Ngidi 29(27)

Chris Gayle hits a six against leg-spinners every 6.67 balls this IPL.

After 8 overs,Kings XI Punjab 61/1 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 29 , Chris Gayle 6)

Imran Tahir takes the ball after the strategic time out. Gayle nudges the first to square leg for a single. Rahul returns the favour to the big man, who goes for the slog towards the leg side but only manages a single there. Two runs off the final three deliveries. Wise decision this, KXIP batters are taking no risk whatsoever against the senior leggie. Just five runs off Tahir’s first.

Chris Gayle v Imran Tahir in IPL:

Runs : 39
Balls : 16
Dismissals : 0
4/6 : 3/4 
SR : 243.75

After 7 overs,Kings XI Punjab 56/1 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 27 , Chris Gayle 3)

Right, end of the powerplay and Shardul returns for his second over. Gayle carefully defends off the first before running the next down to third man for a single. Shardul bowls the third and fourth a tad fuller and Rahul fails to get off the mark on both occasions. A toe-crushing yorker from Shardul off the last against Gayle, who still sneaks a single. Just three runs off the over. And we head into the strategic time out!

After 6 overs,Kings XI Punjab 53/1 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 26 , Chris Gayle 1)

Lungi Ngidi comes into the attack and gets whacked for a four towards the covers from the blade of Mayank, who departs off the second, courtesy an unlucky inside edge. The ‘Universe Boss’ joins Rahul, who plays a lovely cover drive off the penultimate ball for a boundary. Nine runs and a wicket in Ngidi’s first. And that’s the end of the powerplay.

OUT! The party poopers have got their first wicket. Short from Ngidi, the ball took an inside edge of Mayank’s bat and rattled the stumps. Unlucky for KXIP! Agarwal b Ngidi 26(15)

FOUR! Mayank goes over covers for a boundary. He’s making full use of the powerplay restrictions.

After 5 overs,Kings XI Punjab 44/0 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 22 , Mayank Agarwal 22)

Shardul Thakur comes into the attack. Rahul flicks off the first, before top-edging the next, and collects fours on both occasions. That apart, just two singles in the over. Costly start for Shardul, 10 runs off his first.

FOUR! Two in a row! Rahul is taking the attack to CSK. Rahul flicked the first behind square. The second one was an outside edge that flew towards the third man region.

After 4 overs,Kings XI Punjab 34/0 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 13 , Mayank Agarwal 21)

Curran continues from the other end. Mayank tries to go over the covers, but the ball takes an outside edge and flies towards point for a boundary. Curran sees Rahul charging at him off the fourth and bowls a menacing bouncer. Mayank flicks the final ball for a boundary. 11 runs off the fourth.

FOUR! Curran strays on the pads and Mayank flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Short from Curran, Mayank tries to go over the covers. The ball though takes an outside edge and flies towards point for a boundary.

After 3 overs,Kings XI Punjab 22/0 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 10 , Mayank Agarwal 12)

Chahar returns for his second over. Rahul carefully defends off the first two deliveries, just wary of the swing from Chahar. Chahar gives width off the third and Rahul top edges it for a six over point. Nine runs off the over.

SIX! First six for KXIP and it comes from the blade of skipper KL Rahul. Just a thick outside edge, Rahul went hard at the ball and it sailed over deep backward point.

After 2 overs,Kings XI Punjab 14/0 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 3 , Mayank Agarwal 11)

Sam Curran comes into the attack. Starts off with a dot. Just a hint of shape for the left-arm seamer off the second delivery against Mayank, who sneaks a single. Rahul returns the favour on the next ball. Curran angles the fifth into Mayank’s pads and the batsman flicks it towards deep mid-wicket a for single. Four runs off Curran’s first, all through singles.

After 1 over ,Kings XI Punjab 10/0 ( KL Rahul (C) (W) 1 , Mayank Agarwal 9)

Deepak Chahar with the first over for CSK. Rahul gets off the mark with a single towards covers. Mayank clears mid-on to bring up the first boundary of KXIP’s innings. Chahar strays on the pads off the fourth and Mayank collects another boundary, courtesy a well-timed flick shot. 10 runs off the first, positive start for KXIP.

FOUR! Drifting down the leg side and Mayank just helps its own its way, the ball races away towards the fine leg fence.

FOUR! Just past mid-on. Mayank smacks it down the ground for the first boundary of KXIP’s innings.

Right, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are out in the middle and will open for KXIP while Deepak Chahar will take the new ball for CSK. Here we go!

Playing XI:

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), N Jagadeesan, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir

Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, James Neesham, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami

Captains at the toss

CSK captain MS Dhoni: We want to be relevant in the tournament. We know it is a crucial game for them, so we want to put our best foot forward. Definitely not my last game in yellow. Faf is fit, so he’s back. Watson is out. Tahir is in for Santner. Shardul is in for Karn.

KXIP captain KL Rahul: It is a key match for us. Pretty simple for us, go out there and try to win. Maxwell misses out, Neesham comes in. Arshdeep is out and Mayank comes in for KXIP.

TOSS UPDATE: CSK have won the toss and they have elected to bowl first.

Meanwhile, in the second match yesterday, Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a clinical performance to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets and stay alive in the Indian Premier League playoff race. 

In the first match of Saturday’s double header, Mumbai Indians ensured a top-two finish in the IPL league table with a clinical nine-wicket decimation of an already battered Delhi Capitals, who wilted under relentless pressure from Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah.

Click here to read the match report

Who will shine for CSK today?

CSK have won their last two matches. It’s unfortunate that the Chennai franchise finally managed to win consecutive matches only after being eliminated from IPL 2020. These matches for CSK are now an opportunity to prepare for the next edition of IPL something that Dhoni also admitted. In the last two matches, CSK have given opportunities to young players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, N Jagadeesan and Monu Kumar. Gaikwad in particular has impressed with two back-to-back fifties winning player of the match awards consecutively. It will be interesting to see which other young player gets an opportunity today and who can grab the it.

Milestones approaching:

Shane Watson requires 10 sixes to complete 200 sixes in IPL.
MS Dhoni requires six catches to complete 100 catches for CSK in IPL.
Chris Gayle is one six short of completing 350 IPL sixes.
KL Rahul requires 107 runs to complete 2000 IPL runs for KXIP.

Time to refocus on the CSK vs KXIP match.

Here’s teams’ record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi:

CSK: Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2
KXIP: Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2

IPL 2020 playoff qualification scenarios

Not only KXIP, four other teams are also in contention to qualify for the playoffs. CSK are the only team that has no chance to qualify for the playoffs while MI are already through to the next round. Click here to read what RCB, RR, SRH, DC, KXIP and KKR have to do to make the cut.

How can KXIP qualify for playoffs?

KXIP have made a remarkable comeback winning the five out of their last six matches. They’ll need to beat CSK to remain in the contention for the playoffs with 14 points. They will be fighting for the last spot against the winner of the KKR and RR game and the loser of the RCB and DC match. The team with a higher NRR in this case, will go through.

Preview: Must-win game for KXIP as CSK look to spoil the party 

Their play-off chances hanging in balance, Kings XI Punjab will leave no stone unturned as they take on Chennai Super Kings. CSK, already out of the reckoning for the first time ever, will aim to end their dismal campaign on a positive note.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Match 53 of the IPL 2020 between CSK and KXIP in Abu Dhabi. CSK, although out of the reckoning, will be looking to end their dismal campaign on a high while it is a must-win game for KXIP if they wish to stay afloat in the playoff race. Stay tuned as we will bring you the over-by-over commentary and live updates from this mouth-watering clash.