IPL 2021 Photos: Andre Russell, Pat Cummins' blistering half-centuries in vain as CSK beat KKR

Chennai Super Kings were led to an 18-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders by Faf du Plessis, whose excellent innings of 95 not out helped them amass a total of 220. Photo by Deepak Malik/ Sportzpics for IPL

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis put CSK in an excellent position with their opening partnership of 115 runs. Photo by Deepak Malik/ Sportzpics for IPL

KKR's bowlers were largely ineffective against CSK, with only Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell managing to pick up a wicket. Photo by Deepak Malik/ Sportzpics for IPL

Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik helped bring KKR back into the contest with a partnership of 81, in which Russell hit a half-century in just 21 balls. Photo by Rahul Gulati/ Sportzpics for IPL

Pat Cummins then hit another impressive half-century after Russell departed, including an over in which he scored 30 runs. Cummins ended the night without losing his wicket, but could not do enough to get KKR to victory. Photo by Deepak Malik/ Sportzpics for IPL