IPL 2018, CSK vs KXIP: 5 talking points from the match between Chennai Superkings and Kings XI Punjab

The group stage of the 2018 IPL came to a close at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune with Chennai Super Kings defeating Kings XI Punjab by five wickets to cement their position in the Qualifier one against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Mumbai on Tuesday.

Put into bat after losing the toss, Kings XI Punjab made a poor start in what was a must-win match and had Karun Nair's quickfire half-century to thank for helping them score 153 runs on the board.

Needing to dismiss CSK under 100, Kings XI started off brilliantly, reducing the hosts to 27/3 but a bold move by MS Dhoni to send in Harbhajan Singh and then Deepak Chahar paid off as they not only knocked out Kings XI out of the competition but also went on to win the contest by five wickets to finish as runners-up to Kane Williamson's side in the IPL points table.

Here are the five major talking points from tonight's match.

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#5 Lungi Ngidi's wreaks havoc

Chennai Super Kings had earmarked Lungi Ngidi as their leading paceman for the 2018 IPL but had their plans turned upside down when the young South African had to head home following the unfortunate demise of his father.

The 22-year-old's performances since he returned to India prove how badly CSK needed someone like Ngidi and with Chahar also returning following an injury setback, CSK's fast-bowling department is in a safe pair of hands heading into the playoffs.

Ngidi was exceptional tonight, especially in the powerplay overs, where he bowled three overs, conceding just seven runs while also picking up the key wickets of Chris Gayle and the in-form KL Rahul.

He completed his quota of four overs in the 17th over of the Kings XI innings, getting rid of skipper Ravichandran Ashwin - with help from the DRS - as well if Andrew Tye to complete the day with outstanding figures of 4-1-10-4.

#4 Karun Nair's half-century rescues Kings XI

Nair scored 54 off just 26 balls to help his side cross the 150-run mark after a poor start

IPL 2018 has seen many young Indians batsmen have an outstanding campaign with Rahul and Rishabh Pant leading the way with their consistent performances for Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils respectively.

The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer have also done exceptionally well but one player who has been a let down with his showing in the 2018 IPL is Karun Nair whose road back to the Indian national team setup looks a lot tougher now.

What has been highly disappointing is the fact that he has not carried on to get the big scores despite getting starts under his belt.

However, tonight, Nair did just that and played a very crucial part in helping Kings XI post a fighting total on the board.

Manoj Tiwary and David Miller's 60-run partnership was crucial in helping Kings XI recover from 16/3 but it was Nair, who came in at the No. 6 spot after being dropped from the side in their previous game, who helped his side make a strong finish with his knock of 54 from 26 balls.

The 26-year-old struck five sixes during his fearless innings and looked high on confidence throughout his stay at the crease that helped his side cross the 150-run mark.

#3 Chris Gayle's stunning catch

Gayle moved down quickly and got his hands underneath the ball to dismiss De Plessis

Chris Gayle has been an exceptional T20 player with the bat and sometimes with the ball as well but fielding is one area where question marks have been raised about the burly West Indian.

Not the agilest of fielders in the Kings XI lineup, Gayle produced a moment of magic tonight with an exceptional effort to help dismiss Faf du Plessis in tonight's match.

Ankit Rajpoot was in full swing for Kings XI and had to get a thick outside edge of Du Plessis' bat that flew to the slip cordon to the left of Gayle, who was fielding at first slip.

The ball was traveling fast and on its way down quickly but Gayle reacted sharply, getting down quickly and get his big hands under the ball in a reverse cup manner to get the ball safe in his hands before it touched the ground.

Replays confirmed that Gayle had indeed taken a spectacular catch that would have surprised many.

#2 Ankit Rajpoot's double wicket-maiden

Ankit Rajpoot was virtually unplayable with his outstanding spell of fast bowling tonight

Rajpoot has made quite an impression in the 2018 IPL with his consistent performances for Kings XI Punjab and he saved the best for last with his splendid showing against CSK at Pune tonight.

The pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium was tailormade for Rajpoot and he made merry on the helpful surface with his figures of 4-1-19-2.

He deserved much more and the way he started was simply outstanding. Faf du Plessis was at sea against Rajpoot's outswingers right from the word go and was ultimately dismissed for 14 with Chris Gayle taking an outstanding catch at first slip.

Rajpoot produced a peach of a delivery first up to Sam Billings, knocking the bails off his off stump and was on a hat-trick when Harbhajan Singh was sent into bat by CSK at the No. 5 spot.

Rajpoot missed out on the hattrick but should have had Bhajji's wicket in his kitty as well next ball only for Aaron Finch to jump in front of the first slip fielder and miss what would have been an easy chance.

It was still a double wicket maiden for Rajpoot and with Kings XI needing to dismiss CSK under a total of 100, Ashwin bowled out Rajpoot and though he couldn't pick up any more wickets, it was an outstanding spell of fast bowling from the 24-year-old.

#1 MS Dhoni's Deepak Chahar gamble plays off

Having already impressed with the ball, Deepak Chahar made a mark with the bat tonight

CSK had pretty much nothing to play for tonight having all but sealed their place in the Qualifier match against table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday and made the most of the opportunity to try out a few things with their line-up tonight.

Though there weren't many changes in the playing eleven, with just Du Plessis getting a look in ahead of Shane Watson, skipper Dhoni did try out a few things with his batting line-up tonight and, as is the case with Captain Cool, more often than not, it paid off.

With the Kings XI fast bowlers making a splendid start, especially Rajpoot, who was on a hat-trick with CSK struggling at 27/3, Dhoni sent in Harbhajan Singh at the No. 5 spot despite seeing Billings having his off stump knocked out first ball by a jaffa from Rajpoot.

Harbhajan swung hard throughout his stay at the crease and though his bat hardly connected with the ball, his 22-ball stay at the crease helped CSK recover from the early setbacks and once he was dismissed, Dhoni followed it up by sending in Deepak Chahar to join Suresh Raina in the middle.

Unlike Bhajji, Chahar made sweet contact with the ball, scoring 39 off 20 balls in his cameo which featured three sixes as well.

His knock ended any hopes Kings XI would have had of making it to the playoffs and ultimately paved the way for his side's victory tonight.

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