IPL 2018, KXIP vs CSK: 5 talking points

The 12th match of the 2018 IPL season between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings was billed as the battle between Ravichandran Ashwin and his previous side led by MS Dhoni and it turned out to be an absolute cracker that went right down to the wire.

Having successfully chased down totals in their opening two matches of the 2018 IPL season, CSK fell narrowly short this time around losing the thriller by 4 runs.

Here are the 5 major talking points from today's match.

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#5 Kings XI's all-round batting effort

While Chris Gayle was undoubtedly the headline grabber during Kings XI's innings against CSK, all the batsmen barring Aaron Finch, who fell for a golden duck, played their part in helping the side reach 197 after being put into bat by CSK.

Gayle scored 63 off 33 balls while KL Rahul scored 37 off 22 balls with the opening duo for KXIP scoring 96 runs off just 8 overs. Mayank Agarwal continued the good work by the openers with a knock of 30 off 19 balls while Yuvraj Singh too chipped in with a 13-ball 20.

Karun Nair provided the late flourish with 29 off 17 balls while skipper Ravichandran Ashwin scored 14 as the hosts nearly reached the 200-run mark. It was thus a brilliant team effort from the hosts with all batsmen chipping in and it proved the difference at the end of what was a thrilling contest.

#4 CSK missed Suresh Raina's experience

Raina's presence could well have made the difference for CSK in the run-chase

As CSK coach Stephen Fleming said, Suresh Raina is irreplaceable for the side and it was quite evident in the way the visitors run short of the 198-run target at Mohali.

Raina's absence forced CSK to shuffle their batting line up with Rayudu pushed down to the number three spot while Murali Vijay was drafted into the side as opener alongside Shane Watson.

The openers fell cheaply and while Rayudu and Dhoni tried their best in the run-chase, Suresh Raina's presence and experience in chasing big targets was sorely missed by CSK who fell narrowly short of the KXIP total.

#3 Ravichandran Ashwin's run out to dismiss Ambati Rayudu

Ashwin's run-out of Rayudu came at a crucial time in the match's proceedings

Saturday saw Sunrisers Hyderabad's Manish Pandey hurt his former side Kolkata Knight Riders on the field two spectacular catches and it was Ravichandran Ashwin's turn on Sunday to do the same against his former employees CSK.

With Suresh Raina missing for MS Dhoni's side, Murali Vijay opened the innings for the visitors alongside Shane Watson, while Ambati Rayudu came into bat at the number three spot.

The former Mumbai Indians looked in splendid touch and had CSK very much in the run-chase with his innings and looked well set to reach the half-century mark. However, he fell one short of the landmark as Ashwin pulled off a direct hit at the striker's end with Rayudu short of the crease.

That run-out came at a very crucial and the margin of Kings XI's victory showed how big that wicket proved to be in the end.

#2 Chris Gayle's reminder that he is not done yet

Playing his first match of IPL 2018, Gayle scored 63 runs off just 33 balls

Chris Gayle nearly missed out on the 2018 IPL season as he was overlooked by the various franchises for the most part of the player auctions and only found a buyer in the final round as Kings XI Punjab offered the West Indian T20 legend a lifeline by purchasing him at his base price.

The 38-year-old was not considered by the Ravichandran Ashwin-led side in their opening two fixtures of the season but found himself opening the batting alongside Lokesh Rahul for Punjab and the Jamaican served a gentle reminder to everyone who was writing him off.

Gayle was at his destructive best on Sunday as he smashed 63 runs off 33 balls - a knock that included seven boundaries and four sixes. Gayle's opening partnership with Rahul yielded 96 runs off just 8 overs and served as a warning for the other franchises that Gayle still has a lot to offer in the IPL.

#1 MS Dhoni's late flourish nearly wins it for CSK

Dhoni's highest IPL score was not enough as CSK lost a thriller against KXIP

Needing 198 to win, CSK made a poor start losing both their openers as well as the hard-hitting batsman Sam Billings cheaply before Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni resurrected the innings for the visitors with a 57-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Rayudu was the aggressor in the partnership as he raced to 49 off 35 balls before Kings XI skipper Ravichandran Ashwin brought his stay at the crease to an end with a direct hit that had the batsman short of his crease.

With MS Dhoni struggling to get the ball away as well as being affected by a back injury, CSK looked down and out before the skipper defied his physical troubles to launch a late onslaught that nearly saw his side chase down the target.

Dhoni remained unbeaten on 79 off 44 balls - his highest IPL score till date - as CSK fell short of the target by 4 runs. Job not done but it was an innings of the highest class, especially considering the fact that Dhoni was struggling with an injury.