CSK vs KXIP, IPL 2020: Captains Knock From KL Rahul Propels Kings XI Punjab To 178/4 At Dubai

Chennai vs Punjab, IPL 2020 UAE Match Today: Nicholas Pooran joined his skipper KL Rahul, who continued his rich vein of form in IPL 2020 by scoring his 18th IPL half-century.

IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab

KXIP captain KL Rahul played a remarkable 63-run knock as he turned on the brilliance in Dubai by powering Punjab to 178/4 against Chennai Super Kings at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Both KXIP openers, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal provided a super solid start to their team with a 61-run stand. Nichola Pooran's fiery cameo (33 runs in 17 balls) doubled the pressure on CSK batters.

Kings XI Punjab won the toss and decided to bat first. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal came out in the middle to open the innings for their squad. Both KXIP openers looked in impeccable touch and provided a steady start to their team.

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal collected some quick runs in the first few overs to put themselves on top. The duo even smashed some good deliverers for some cracking fours and the pressure was straight on the CSK bowlers. Once again, the two Karnataka boys got KXIP to a brilliant start.

At the end of powerplay, Kings XI Punjab looked steady and the scoreboard read 46 for loss of no wickets.  In the very next over, 50-run partnership came up between the openers; the second of the tournament.

Dhoni introduced spin into the attack. After a tidy first over from Ravindra Jadeja, veteran Piyush Chawla came into the attack from the other end and delivered straight away by getting Mayank Agarwal caught out for 26 and KXIP lost their first wicket in the 9th over.

 Ravindra Jadeja got the second big breakthrough for CSK. Mandeep Singh was looking so good with the bat as he was scoring quick runs but in the end he managed to hit it straight to extra cover and Ambati Rayudu made no mistake to bag a simple catch. With this, KXIP lost their second wicket.

Nicholas Pooran joined his skipper KL Rahul, who continued his rich vein of form in IPL 2020 by scoring his 18th IPL half-century. At the end of 16 overs, KXIP were 141 for loss of two wickets.

Soon Nicholas Pooran and Rahul too stitched a fifty run partnership but Shardul Thakur bowled a clever delivery to depart Pooran and send him back to the pavilion. In the very next ball, skipper Dhoni took a fantastic catch to dismiss well-set KL Rahul and help Shardul take back-to-back wickets.

 In the last over, Sarfaraz Ahmed scored consecutive fours and some singles to help Punjab get 178 on board.