IPL 2021: Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad half-centuries push KKR on back foot

Half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) score 220-3 vs Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 match at Mumbai on Wednesday. Gaikwad (64) and Du Plessis (95) put together a 115-run opening stand on a batting-friendly Wankhede wicket. CSK, who were used to the way the pitch played, looked confident and assured. By contrast, KKR’s bowlers looked at sea against a formidable opening unit. Eoin Morgan won the toss and duly opted to field first. However, the decision clearly backfired as the CSK batsmen made the most of what were very favourable conditions.

A brilliant century stand comes up between the #CSK openers. They’re on absolute song here!

Live – https://t.co/37BCFLEWip #KKRvCSK #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/ADSEE4Tr0k

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 21, 2021

The two batsmen started carefully, seeing out the first over from Varun Chakravarthy. However, they targetted Pat Cummins right from the get go.

Cummins was smacked for four by Du Plessis on his very first ball. Gaikwad then got a four and a six of his own in the same over.

Chakravarthy was not spared in his second over as he was smacked by a four and six. They got off to a terrific start in the powerplay and only continued on from there.

Gaikwad shines, finally

Initially it was Du Plessis who was the more aggressive of the two. However, Gaikwad grew in confidence as the innings went on.

He looked to attack more often and was often successful, getting to his half-century before Du Plessis did. Gaikwad also cleared the ropes 4 times during his time in the middle.

However, it was while going for a big shot that he perished. Looking for a big shot off Chakravarthy, he only managed to pick out Cummins at deep mid-wicket.

Du Plessis carried on from there, bringing up his own half-century. He was ably supported by Moeen Ali, who scored 25 off 11 balls.

The two brought up their own 50-run stand in just 26 balls, with Moeen taking a liking to Sunil Narine. He smashed him for a four and a six, but Narine had the last laugh when he got the Englishman stumped.

A cameo from Dhoni (17 off 8 balls) towards the end also helped. However, he was dismissed thanks to a stunning catch from Eoin Morgan, with Andre Russell getting the wicket.

CSK are currently fourth in the IPL 2021 points table. KKR are fifth at the moment, just one place behind the three-time champs.