IPL 2021: Faf du Plessis powers Chennai Super Kings to fourth title with victory over KKR

Dubai: Chennai Super Kings on Friday clinched their fourth Indian Premier League title after beating Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in the summit clash on Friday. The in-form Faf du Plessis hit a magnificent 86 off 59 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes, to help CSK post 192 for 3 after they were invited to bat. Chasing an imposing target of 193, KKR could manage 165 for 9 in their 20 overs with Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer hitting 51 and 50 respectively. From 91 for no loss in the 11th over, KKR slumped to 125 for 8 in the 17th over in a dramatic batting collapse to lose the final. [caption id=“attachment_10059811” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Chennai Super Kings players celebrate winning their fourth IPL title after beating KKR in the final at the Dubai International Stadium. Sportzpics for IPL[/caption] For CSK, Shardul Thakur took three wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Josh Hazlewood got two each. Earlier, the highlight of the CSK innings was the three half century partnerships that du Plessis shared. He first put up 61 runs with his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) and that was followed by a 63-run stand with Robin Uthappa (31 off 15 balls) for the second wicket. Moeen Ali then made a late flourish with a stroke-filled 37 not out off 20 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes as he stitched a 68-run stand with du Plessis. CSK added 112 runs in the back end of their innings after they were 80 for one at the halfway mark. For KKR, Sunil Narine took two wickets for 26 runs.