KKR pushed to brink after defeat

Dewald Brevis’s explosive 25-ball 52, combined with a disciplined four-wicket burst from left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, virtually extinguished defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL playoff hopes as Chennai Super Kings registered a thrilling two-wicket win at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

The Afghan spinner exploited the turning conditions brilliantly, picking up 4/31, to restrict KKR to 179/6 after Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first in their must-win clash.

For CSK, their spin trio dominated the middle overs taking a combined 5/84 in 11 overs that proved to be the difference.

Chasing 180 under tricky conditions, CSK were rocked early on, losing half their side for just 60 inside 5.2 overs under the glowing Eden Gardens lights. But it was MS Dhoni who had the final say — possibly for the last time at this venue — finishing the chase with his trademark calm and power as CSK completed the task with two balls to spare.

This was the end of KKR’s campaign at home. The three-time champions play their next two matches away against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru and even in case they win both the games, they have to depend on other results.

With eight runs needed off the last over, Dhoni hammered Andre Russell’s low full toss for a towering six over deep mid-wicket, triggering wild celebrations.

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