Facing a massive 218-run goal set by MS Dhoni‘s Chennai Super Kings in the TATA IPL 2023, KL Rahul’s squad could only manage 205 runs and lost by 12 runs on 3 April at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.

After losing the toss at home, CSK hitters gave the club an explosive start from the start and maintained a consistent run rate of more than 10. Ruturaj Gaikwad (57), Devon Conway (47), Shivam Dube (27) and Ambati Rayudu (27) combined for 217 runs. Finally, Dhoni’s successive sixes in the penultimate over enthralled the fans.

Mark Wood and Ravi Bishnoi each took three wickets for the LSG team, while Avesh Khan took one.

But, KL Rahul’s LSG were not far behind, and opener Kyle Mayers (53) got the team off to a flying start. Though wickets continued to fall, the run rate remained above 10, allowing the following batters to keep Dhoni’s CSK on edge. After Mooen Ali was introduced, the LSG’s batting collapsed, and wickets began to fall like a pack of cards.

Despite some strong shots from Nicholas Pooran (32) and Marcus Stoinis (21), LSG was unable to overcome the 218-run distance. LSG needed 28 runs in the last over to win.

KL Rahul’s team scored only 205/7 runs in 20 overs, losing by 12 runs to CSK. Moeen Ali grabbed four wickets for CSK, Tushar Deshpande took two, and Mitchell Santner took one.