Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the 44th match of the 13th season of IPL. On Sunday, Chennai defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 8 wickets. CSK achieved the target of 146 runs by losing 2 wickets in 18.4 overs (150/2). Mahendra Singh-led Chennai team won the fourth match of their campaign and saved their honor. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was the man of the match in Chennai's victory, scored an unbeaten 65 runs.

Chennai are seventh in the points table with 8 points from 12 matches. The team now has two matches left. Those who win will still have 12 points. On the other hand, it was Bengaluru's fourth defeat in 11 matches under Virat's captaincy, still third in the points table with 14 points.

Chasing a target of 146 runs, the opening pair of Faf Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad added 46 runs for Chennai. Du Plessis (25) was returned by Chris Morris, Siraj caught the catch. Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu (39) added 67 runs. Rayudu bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal. After this, Gaikwad (65 not out) and Captain Dhoni (19 not out) led the team to victory.

Gaikwad's blazing innings

Opener Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 65 off 51 balls with the help of 4 fours and 3 sixes. He shared 67 runs for the second wicket with Ambati Rayudu (39 off 27 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes). Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained unbeaten on 19, while Gaikwad smashed the winning six over Chris Morris to take Chennai's score to 150 for two in 18.4 overs.

Gave Chennai an aggressive start

Gaikwad gave Chennai an aggressive start. If 40 runs were scored in the first four overs, then in the fifth over, Kohli had to bowl to Yuzvendra Chahal (one for 21), who comes for bowling after the immense power play. Only 8 runs were scored in the last two overs of the powerplay. Chahal applied pressure and Chris Morris took advantage of this by dismissing Du Plessis.

Dhoni had said that there is a lack of passion in his youth, but Gaikwad showed that if he gets consistent opportunities, he can show his passion. The 23-year-old batsman played the spinners effortlessly, hitting big shots at both Washington Sundar and Moin Ali and completing his first half-century of the IPL off 42 balls.

Rayudu catches rhythm as he descends

Rayudu caught the rhythm as soon as he landed at the crease. He hit visible sixes on Navdeep Saini and Mohammad Siraj. When RCB desperately needed a wicket, Chahal held the ball and bowled Rayudu. After this, however, Dhoni, along with Gaikwad, took the team to the target easily.

RCB scored 145/6

Virat Kohli hit a half-century and spent enough time at the crease with AB de Villiers, but despite this Royal Challengers Bangalore managed to score 145/6. The pitch looked slow and in such a way it was not easy to get runs. Kohli played 43 balls and scored 50 runs, but included only a four and a six.

De Villiers was able to score 39 runs with the help of four fours off 36 balls. These two shared a 82-run partnership for the third wicket. RCB scored only 20 runs in the last three overs and lost 4 wickets in the meantime. For Chennai, Sam Curren took 3 for 19 in 3 overs, while Deepak Chahar took 2 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs.