South Africa's Faf du Plessis smashed an unbeaten 67 to lead Chennai Super Kings into their record seventh Indian Premier League final with a thrilling two-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Chasing 140 for victory, Chennai were in a shambles at 62-6 when Du Plessis stepped up with his 42-ball blitz that made the two-time champions achieve their target with five balls to spare in the first qualifier in Mumbai.
The Kane Williamson-led Hyderabad, who topped the league table, have a second chance of making the final in the second qualifying match Friday when they will meet the winner of an eliminator.
Du Plessis hit five fours and four sixes to propel Chennai, who returned this season after a two-year corruption ban along with Rajasthan Royals, into the final.
Three-time trophy holders Mumbai Indians, who bowed out in the league stage, have been involved in four title clashes since the popular league started in 2008.
Du Plessis opened the batting with Shane Watson (0) and put on a crucial 27-run unbeaten stand with tailender Shardul Thakur, who made 15 off five balls.
"Good to win games like this. But what's important is to learn out of this game. It's about constantly improving. This is the best combination that we have got," skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said after the win.
"Right from the first game we've used different bowlers in different ways to find out who is the best bowler at the end... They will have to step up in the final," he added.
Paceman Dwayne Bravo set up the win with impressive bowling figures of two for 25 to restrict Hyderabad to 139-7.
Fast bowler Siddarth Kaul and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan then picked up two wickets each to dent Chennai's chase but Du Plessis absorbed the pressure and finished the game with a six.
Khan bowled Dhoni with his trademark googly for nine. Medium-pace bowler Sandeep Sharma also got two wickets.
Earlier, 2016 winners Hyderabad -- who topped the league table in this edition -- faltered after being put into bat first despite a 29-ball unbeaten 43 from Carlos Brathwaite.
After losing their openers quickly, skipper Kane Williamson made a 15-ball 24 to lead this season's IPL batting chart with 685 runs before walking back to the dugout.
The 34-year-old Bravo got two important wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan, who was spectacularly caught and bowled by the West Indian allrounder.
"It was a decent wicket and we would have liked 20 more (runs)," said Williamson.
"Saying that, the game swung back our way, the bowlers were outstanding only didn't execute (in the death) as we have in the past," he added of his bowlers who have been excellent in defending low totals throughout season 11.
Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Royals in the eliminator on Wednesday in Kolkata.
The IPL final is on May 27 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium with $4 million going to the winner.
NS-31 astronauts celebrate at the crew capsule after a successful flight to spaceBlue Origin
Astronaut Dr. Richard Scott during training at Launch Site OneBlue Origin
New Shepard booster separates from crew capsule during NS-29Blue Origin
Astronaut Gayle King celebrates a successful mission to spaceBlue Origin
Astronaut Jesús Calleja at apogeeBlue Origin
Astronaut Elaine Chia Hyde at apogeeBlue Origin
Astronaut Elaine Chia Hyde during training at Launch Site OneBlue Origin
New Shepard lifts off from Launch Site One Blue Origin
The New Shepard booster nears touchdown during NS-29Blue Origin
New Shepard on the launch pad prior to NS-31Blue Origin
In this drone view an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants makes its way towards England in the English Channel, August 6, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)
REUTERS
Sunder Katwala is the director of thinktank British Future and the author of the book How to Be a Patriot: The must-read book on British national identity and immigration.
A screenshot of Aimee Lou Wood's Instagram story, where she calls out SNL's parody as "mean and unfunny" Instagram Screengrab