Eoin Morgan’s men crumbled underneath the pressure of a big run chase in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, losing the final to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a huge margin of 27 runs. MS Dhoni’s CSK turned out to be too good for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) putting an end to their 100 per cent win record in the final. Dhoni lifted the coveted IPL trophy for the fourth time after a disappointing last season where they failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Middle-order’s monumental collapse
As the required run rate neared 12 runs per over, KKR’s middle-order imploded and the score went from 91/1 to 125/8. Apart from the openers, not one middle-order batter managed to register a double-digit score. Nitish Rana, Morgan, Sunil Narine, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan and Rahul Tripathi contributed to the epic batting collapse. It was a similar display to the one in the second qualifier against Delhi Capitals (DC). Tripathi’s injury also played a major role as he had to bat lower down the order only when the team had lost six wickets. Tailenders Lockie Ferguson and Shivam Mavi saved KKR from getting bundled out early and entertained the crowd with a few boundaries. They also kept the match alive till the last over with KKR needing 31.
Du Plessis does a Watson
While all the eyes were on Ruturaj Gaikwad, it was Faf du Plessis who played the big knock in the final. CSK’s Proteas opener held on to one end till the last delivery. After getting CSK off to a flier with Gaikwad, Du Plessis scored 86 runs from 59 deliveries including seven fours and three sixes. His inning helped CSK post 192/3 and did not expose their inconsistent middle order. The veteran missed the purple cap by just two runs. He finished with 633 runs from 16 games.
KKR’s top order got the hopes up
It was an apt reply from KKR openers chasing a big total of 193. The sensational Iyer scored his fourth half-century of the season despite joining the side in the second phase. His 32-ball 50 laced with five fours and three sixes kept KKR in the game. It will be safe to say that the southpaw kept KKR in the hunt till the time he was on the crease. Gill also contributed with his third half-century of the season but scored with an inferior strike rate and lost his wicket at a crucial juncture.
KKR’s strength becomes weakness
There was a dropped catch of Uthappa and missed stumping chance of Du Plessis but KKR bowlers were not able to continue their hot streak in the final. Their star speedster Ferguson bowled fast but was taken to the cleaners by CSK batters. He leaked 56 runs from his four overs which are the second-worst bowling figures by a bowler in an IPL final. Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin did not work against CSK either as he failed to take a wicket. Finally, Morgan had to use his sixth bowler Iyer to fill in for left-arm spinner Shakib who was exceptional for them in the previous few matches.
List of IPL 2021 Awards
Player of the season: Faf du Plessis
Best catch of the season: Ravi Bishnoi
Fairplay award: Rajasthan Royals
Emerging player of the season: Ruturaj Gaikwad
Game-changer of the season: Harshal Patel
