Dubai: Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis conjured up commanding unbeaten half-centuries as Chennai Super Kings demolished Kings XI Punjab by 10 wickets to snap their string of losses in the IPL last night.
CSK relished a much-needed victory after three defeats in a row, overhauling a 179-run target with remarkable ease.
Watson (83 not out) and Du Plessis (87 not out) ensured that there was no close finish this time, reducing the match to a ‘no-contest’ with their authoritative batting.
The seasoned Australian punished the KXIP bowlers with 11 fours and three sixes in his 53-ball unbeaten knock while Du Plessis hit 11 fours and a six from 53 balls to also remain not out.
Except Mohammed Shami, KXIP did not have a bowler who could trouble the opposition batsmen.
Skipper KL Rahul hit a well-paced 63 to lead Kings XI Punjab to a competitive 178 for four after electing to bat.
Rahul’s risk-free 63 came off 52 balls with the help of seven fours and a six as he shared a 61-run stand with fellow opener Mayank Agarwal (26) and then raised a 58-run partnership with Nicholas Pooran (33 off 17).
Earlier in the day, Mumbai Indians completed an emphatic 34-run win over SunRisers Hyderabad in match number 17 in Sharjah.
Chasing a mammoth 209, skipper David Warner (60 off 44 balls) fought a lone battle for SRH as wickets kept tumbling at the other end.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose to bat first.
Quinton de Kock anchored the innings with a rapid 67 off 39 balls. Suryakumar Yadav (27 off 18 balls) and Ishan Kishan (31 off 23 balls) played crucial knocks in the middle overs.
BRIEF SCORES
Mumbai Indians 208-5 in 20 overs (De Kock 67, Rashid 1/22) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 174/7 in 20 overs (Warner 60, Boult 2/28, Pattinson 2/29) by 34 runs.
Chennai Super Kings 181-0 in 17.4 overs (Shane Watson 83*, Faf du Plessis 87*) beat Kings XI Punjab 178-4 in 20 overs (K L Rahul 63, Thakur 2-39) by 10 wickets