CHENNAI — Chennai Super Kings finally broke an eight-year drought at Chepauk on Sunday, ending a run of unsuccessful high-chase attempts with an unlikely hero leading the charge. Urvil Patel, stepping in for the injured Ayush Mhatre, delivered a stunning performance to guide CSK past the Lucknow Super Giants’ total of 204.
Chasing a daunting target, CSK completed their first successful 180-plus chase since 2018, thanks to Urvil’s explosive 23-ball 65. Coming in at No. 3 after Sanju Samson’s brisk 28 off 14 balls, the 27-year-old turned the game around with a breathtaking display of power hitting.
Urvil’s half-century came off just 13 balls, tying with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the fastest in IPL history. His assault dismantled the required run rate on a pitch that occasionally offered grip, racing CSK to half the target within seven overs.
The fireworks began after a quiet start. Avesh Khan’s over was smashed for 25 runs as Urvil hammered three sixes, instantly shifting momentum. Digvesh Rathi suffered a similar fate in the next over, conceding another 25 as Urvil surged to 42 off just 10 deliveries.
With the Chepauk crowd roaring, Urvil took on Mohammed Shami, bringing up his fifty with a towering six. He then pulled a note from his pocket that read, “This is for you, Papa.”
His approach was simple but devastatingly effective, constantly targeting the midwicket arc. Seven of his eight sixes sailed in that direction, relying on timing and raw power rather than innovation.
Although Shahbaz Ahmed finally dismissed him, and a dropped catch on 62 briefly extended the assault, the damage was already done. CSK wobbled slightly — needing 78 off 64 balls should have been routine — but Shivam Dube’s late sixes sealed a five-wicket victory.
The win, CSK’s third in a row, lifted them to fifth place with 12 points from 11 matches, though a significant boost in net run rate eluded them. Earlier, Josh Inglis set the stage alight with a blistering 85 off 33 balls, powering LSG to a record powerplay score of 91 for 1. However, CSK fought back through Jamie Overton and Noor Ahmad, who tightened the screws in the middle overs.
Overton struck twice in the 10th over, dismissing Inglis as he attempted a reverse scoop. A late push from Shahbaz Ahmed took LSG past 200, but under lights and against an inspired Urvil, even that proved insufficient.
Brief Scores: Lucknow Super Giants 203/8 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 85, Shahbaz Ahmed 43 not out; Jamie Overton 3/36, Anshul Kamboj 2/47) lost to Chennai Super Kings 208/5 in 19.2 overs (Urvil Patel 65, Ruturaj Gaikwad 42; Digvesh Rathi 2/45) by five wickets with four balls to spare.