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Both teams play an unchanged side.
In form, Faf du Plessis saved his best to last with a dazzling 86 on 59 balls as Chennai Super Kings recorded a formidable 192 for 3 against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL final in Dubai on Friday.
It was a “daddy’s day” in the truest sense of the word like du Plessis, 37, with Robin Uthappa, 35 (31 out of 15 balls) and Moeen Ali (37 not out of 20 balls), together a goal for KKR which they would find difficult on a large pitch at Dubai International Stadium with lead batsman Rahul Tripathi injuring his calf.
The former Proteas skipper got a reprieve in third place when Dinesh Karthik missed an easy dodge chance, then took full advantage by crushing seven fours and three sixes and also finished second highest behind Ruturaj Gaikwad ( 635).
All the notable shots came from Lockie Ferguson as there were cracks in the disc and two sixes in the long distance region. Ferguson (0/56 in 4 overs) had an unforgettable day at the office.
An opening stand of 61 in eight rounds with ‘flavor of the season’ Gaikwad (32 out of 27 balls) set the tone, then Robin Uthappa, who had decided to come back with 31 out of just 15 balls that included his signature. six on the deep region in the middle of the wicket.
The 63 runs added in just 5.2 overs derailed KKR bowling with only Sunil Narine (2/26 in 4 overs) getting his length and variations in pace.
If that wasn’t enough, another veteran Moeen joined in the fun as du Plessis suddenly played second fiddle, leaving the England international to play hammer and pincer at KKR bowling alley. They added 68 in 6.3 overs.
He first smothered Gaikwad, who was caught in the depths, then threw a straighter shot that Uthappa missed the line trying to go for the reverse sweep.
The reason KKR lost the plot in the first 10 overs was that Shakib (0/33 in 3 overs) lost his confidence after Karthik’s failed stump and in the process the pitch went awry.
Adding insult to injury, Ferguson, whose express pace that made the difference in the UAE round, became his downfall from the moment Gaikwad cut him between cover and point.
Du Plessis then turned the rhythm of the big hits into an art form with a skillful hand in Moeen, who found the gaps on both sides of the wickets with finesse while hitting the highs with effortless ease.
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