IPL 2018: Kolkata Knight Riders overcome Chennai Super Kings at home

Teenager Shubman Gill hit a maiden Indian Premier League half-century to help Kolkata Knight Riders to an easy six-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings on Thursday. Replying to Chennai's 177-5, the 18-year-old scored an unbeaten 57 off 36 balls, including six fours and two sixes, as Kolkata finished on 180-4 with 14 balls to spare. He put on an unbroken 83 off 36 deliveries for the fifth wicket with skipper Dinesh Karthik to see his team home. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Put into bat, Shane Watson (36) and Faf du Plessis (27) provided a quick start. Piyush Chawla then bowled Du Plessis with a googly before Watson and Suresh Raina (31) shared a second-wicket partnership of 43. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Put into bat, Shane Watson (36) and Faf du Plessis (27) provided a quick start. Piyush Chawla then bowled Du Plessis with a googly before Watson and Suresh Raina (31) shared a second-wicket partnership of 43. Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Raina. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

MS Dhoni counter-attacked with four sixes as he put on 54 with Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth wicket. MS Dhoni scored 43 not out off 25 balls for Chennai. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Kolkata did not get off to the best start. Chris Lynn (12) smacked Lungi Ngidi for two sixes in the first over but was then caught at slip off the same bowler. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

Gill, the second highest run-getter at this year's Under-19 World Cup won by India, was given good support by Karthik who produced a typically swashbuckling 45 not out off 18 balls, hitting seven fours and a six as Kolkata climbed to third in the standings with its fifth victory of the season. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

What was most interesting to see was the massive support for MS Dhoni, despite KKR being the home side. (Express photo by Partha Paul)