Winning would have increased the chances of a play-off. The opponent is also the worst performing Chennai Super Kings in the current edition of the IPL.
But at the most important time of the tournament, Kolkata Knight Riders lost. At this rate, the last four hopes are almost the last of the Morgan forces.
Kolkata batted first in Dubai on Thursday and scored 162 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. In reply, after a great innings by Rituraj Gaikwad, Chennai came out on top and won.
However, this victory did not help Dhoni. Because the three-time champions have already dropped out of the last four fights. However, it created an opportunity for the team to escape the shame of finishing the event from the bottom of the points table.
On the other hand, Kolkata, which is in the top five with 12 points after 13 matches, will now be waiting for the rate of Kings XI Punjab. Because the points of Punjab in four are also equal. However, Gayle still has one match left. The results of the matches of the other three teams can also become the controller. However, Ache Mumbai Indians have already secured a play-off as the first team.
Chennai, on the other hand, saw their second win in a row in the IPL this time, but could not take advantage of the start. Opener Watson left with 14 runs. After that Ambati Rayudu and Gaikwad made a pair of 8 runs. But Cummins broke the tie by returning Rayudu who scored 36 runs.
Chennai took a big hit when Dhoni was bowled by Varun Chakraborty for just one run. However, Gaikwad kept the other end. He practically pulled the wheel of the team's run alone. In the end, he stopped playing a brilliant innings of 72 runs from 53 balls. Kolkata returned to the game after his departure.
Chennai needed 45 runs in the last four overs. Sam Karen of Chennai was struggling to score with the bat. As a result, Chennai scored 30 runs in the last two overs. And just at that time Rabindra Jadeja gave a cameo as a gift with the bat. The left-arm all-rounder scored 31 runs off just 11 balls. He hit two sixes in the last two balls. The victory of the team is also ensured in this innings.
Earlier, two openers Gill and Rana gave a great start to Kolkata. However, after Gill returned for 25 runs, the team quickly lost 2 more wickets. However, Nitish Rana continued to run with the bat. He made 6 runs off 61 balls, which were 10 fours and 4 sixes. In the end, Kolkata got a fighting collection courtesy of Dinesh Karthik's 21 runs.