9:59pm And that closes our coverage tonight! Thanks for joining us, we look forward to having you tomorrow.
Shane Watson: I felt like something that been slightly off, technically. So it was nice for it to come off. Just a combination of technique and intent. Was able to get the weight through the ball a lot better. We do complement each other well. There are bowlers he [Faf] prefers to take on and he's a great guy and good batting with him. With so much experience and success the franchise have had, they believe in the players. We just knew we had to do a few things better. It came together.
Shane Watson is the Man of the Match.
MS Dhoni: I think we did the small things. That's what was important to us. The kind of start we got in batting, that's what we needed. Hopefully we'll be able to replicate this in the coming games. [Watson] It's not about being more aggressive. He was hitting it well in the nets and what you need is to do that in the middle. It was just a matter of time. Faf is like a sheet anchor for us, keeps playing those shots in the middle. He can always confuse the bowler with the lap shots and all coming in. It is something that we bank [consistency in selection] and sometimes Fleming doesn't get as much credit. The good thing is we have one plan. It's not that we don't have debates, but it's one plan, that's the relationship between us. I feel looking at the first 3-4 games, what you really think is you restrict them to as little as possible and that can add pressure. Every team has furious hitter who can disrupt the bowling and our bowlers did well. We needed momentum with the right kind of shots. Watto and Faf backed themselves with the shots they're known for.
Faf: Yeah it's going well. I think the big thing for me is that I'm there at the end. It's been a big focus for me to try and convert better. Grateful that we could get the partnership going tonight. I thought the previous game we were much better bowling, our team balance was better, but we didn't bat well. With batting it's confidence so we just wanted to make sure the batsmen get some confidence. Hopefully, surely but surely, our players can find form maybe towards the next few games. Credit to Dhoni and Fleming, it's obviously the CSK way, they stick with players a bit longer than other teams might. They stick with players that they feel will play in the final. Credit to the management. It's not always as easy as it looks.
KL Rahul: Look it's hard being on the losing side for so many games, we've just got to keep trying harder. There's no rocket science, we know where we're going wrong. The execution part's been bad. I thought 178 was a good score. The wicket stopped a bit when we started batting, we felt like 170-180 was par on this wicket. But we know if we don't get wickets against players of this class, we'll struggle. We can attack and look for wickets if you're going 7-8 an over, but when you're going 10 an over at the start it's a little difficult to be aggressive. They're all professional players, they know where it's going wrong. Having said that, we need to keep our chins up and keep training harder. Hopefully we'll learn and we'll bounce back.
Vinay: "What a comeback by CSK !!! this should definitely push them ahead now..."
RiwajAdhikari: "CSK are back being the powerhouses and they are a different team even with same personnel when their intentions and tactics work. Don't be surprised if it lifts them more. Tough job for the oppositions now."
Vijit Mahaur: "Remember the disappointment on Watson's face on his dismissal in last match, this is one redemption that he is going to remember for long. The lion is roaring back and how!"
LutKut: "Its so weird that KXIP has a positive NRR and are at the bottom of the table. Shows very well, they have come so close to winning but couldn't drag them over the line!!"
Gautam: "So happy for Watson. I wrote he was a walking wicket two days ago, what a response to all those who were critisizing him. I hope that will help him to keep on scoring runs and maybe retire as a superstar at the end of the IPL"
9:36pm All smiles between Watson and KL now. That's the second-highest chase in IPL history without a wicket lost. They've done it with 14 balls to spare. Sustained attack with the bat tonight for CSK, something fans and neutrals have bayed for right from the start of the tournament. Finally, a chase comes off for them. First chasing team to win on this ground this season. KXIP take bottom place with four losses in five games.
Shami on for his last over
END OF OVER:17 | 12 Runs | CSK: 168/0 (11 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.88, RRR: 3.66)
- Faf du Plessis75 (50b)
- Shane Watson82 (52b)
- Chris Jordan3-0-42-0
- Ravi Bishnoi4-0-33-0
Nikhil Harindra: "Funny that the Dad's Army has a problem with the young gun's run-up! Next they will wear monocles to the game!" ---- Get off my lawn! And run in straight lines!
Shrikant: "I forgot that Maxwell could have bowled to break the partnership. Seems Rahul also forgot "
Puneet Gaur: "Got to love this cheeky stuff from Bishnoi ..make something happen !!"
END OF OVER:16 | 6 Runs | CSK: 156/0 (23 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 9.75, RRR: 5.75)
- Shane Watson81 (51b)
- Faf du Plessis64 (45b)
- Ravi Bishnoi4-0-33-0
- Harpreet Brar4-0-41-0
Well, the chats keep happening. KL Rahul looks bewildered that Watson has a problem with the run-up, seemingly. That, or they're discussing if Manchester United should be signing Cavani when the problems are in defence. Here's Jordan now.
He has a pretty long run up, this guy, so he's practically running in from mid-on's direction and bowling over the wicket. Neither batsman thrilled with that.