IPL 2018, KXIP vs CSK: 5 talking points

#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.