The result also cut short KXIP’s campaign in the 13th season. Kings XI needed a win in its final league game to remain in contention for the play-offs besides depending on other results. But, CSK had other ideas. Bringing his big-hitting prowess to the fore, Deepak Hooda lifted a floundering KXIP to 153 for six with a counter-attacking 30-ball unbeaten 62.

In reply, the returning Faf du Plessis (48) provided CSK the impetus at the top with Ruturaj playing second fiddle. The seasoned South African hit four boundaries and two sixes in a first-wicket stand of 82 with Ruturaj in just under 10 overs.

As he looked to put the match beyond KXIP’s grasp, du Plessis got out after going for a premeditated scoop off paceman Chris Jordan. The needless shot, notwithstanding, Super Kings never looked in trouble with the duo of Ruturaj and Ambati Rayudu taking the side home with seven balls to spare.

Ruturaj remained not out on 62 off 49 balls after striking six boundaries and a six, while Rayudu made a run-a-ball 30. Earlier, Hooda smashed four sixes and three fours during his entertaining stay in the middle.

Thanks to Hooda, KXIP managed 40 runs in the last three overs after CSK, opting to field, choked its middle-order for runs. Pacer Lungi Ngidi picked up three for 39 for Chennai. Returning to the side after an injury-forced break, Mayank Agarwal got Punjab off to a breezy start, collecting two boundaries off Deepak Chahar’s first over.

In-form skipper KL Rahul got into the act with the day’s first six before scoring two boundaries off Shardul Thakur. In the next over, Agarwal welcomed Ngidi by driving him to the long-off boundary, but the South African had his revenge in the next delivery as the opening batsman edged the ball onto the middle stump.

Three tight overs followed, during which Ngidi bowled Rahul with a well-disguised slower ball. After a brisk start by KXIP, the CSK bowling attack did extremely well to strangle the strong opposition batting, which comprised the likes of Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in the middle-order.

Shardul made life more difficult for Punjab as Pooran’s thin inside edge was taken by MS Dhoni. In the penultimate ball of the 12th over, leg-spinner Imran Tahir dealt a body blow to KXIP as he had Gayle trapped in front of the wicket.

BRIEF SCORES: Kings XI Punjab 153 for 6 in 20 overs (D Hooda 62*, L Ngidi 3/39) lost to Chennai Super Kings 154 for 1 in 18.5 overs (R Gaikwad 62*, F du Plessis 48)