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Reigning IPL champions KKR have play-off hopes dented by CSK

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1 daysCricket

Chennai Super Kings severely dented Kolkata Knight Riders' play-off hopes with a two-wicket victory in an Indian Premier League thriller at Eden Gardens.

Kolkata's top-four hopes are not mathematically over, but it will now be extremely difficult for the Knight Riders to qualify for the play-offs and defend their title.

CSK's victory was sealed in the final over, with veteran captain MS Dhoni there at the end, smashing a six before a dot ball levelled the scores. 

Requiring one run from the final three balls, Anshul Kamboj got it done at the first time of asking, clipping Andre Russell for a boundary.

KKR had started well in their innings, shaking off the early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11) thanks to the efforts of Sunil Narine (26) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (48).

But a promising start was not translated into a big score – Noor Ahmad stepped up to lead CSK's bowling attack, finishing with 4-31 as Kolkata were restricted to 183-8, despite flurries from Russell (38) and Manish Pandey (36).

Five wickets in the powerplay seemed to have put KKR on course for a comfortable victory, yet the IPL's bottom team fought back.

Dewald Brevis turned the game, plundering 30 off one over on his way to a 25-ball 52, while Shivam Dube (45) picked up the slack at the other end.

Dube fell at the end of the penultimate over, but with Chennai only requiring eight to win, Dhoni did the damage before Kamboj settled matters.

Data Debrief: A long time coming

For the first time since 2018, CSK have successfully chased a target of 180 or above.

And while Noor, Dube and the brilliant Brevis will take the plaudits, they had another player go into the record books. 

Ravindra Jadeja only took one wicket, but it was a crucial one, as he dismissed KKR skipper Rahane.

It also made Jadeja CKS's record wicket-taker, moving him ahead of Dwayne Bravo's 140.