IPL 2018: Sam Billings’ fifty cancels out Andre Russell’s blitz in high-scoring thriller

As Andre Russell hurtled towards his 36-ball unbeaten 88, it wasn’t clear whether Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was in a dilemma over bowling choices due to the Caribbean enforcer or was forced due to a docile MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch.

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Sam Billings blasted 56 off 23 balls to help Chennai Super Kings chase down 203 and win a high-scoring thriller by five wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2018 Indian Premier League. (BCCI)

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MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bowl in Chennai Super Kings’ first game in Chepauk since May 2015. (BCCI)

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Harbhajan Singh got the wicket of Sunil Narine early on. (BCCI)

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Chris Lynn played some aggressive knocks and was well supported by Robin Uthappa. (BCCI)

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Uthappa looked good for a fifty as he attacked the CSK bowlers. (BCCI)

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Ravindra Jadeja got the wicket of Chris Lynn as KKR stumbled. (BCCI)

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Robin Uthappa missed out on a fifty as CSK fought back well. (BCCI)

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CSK fought back in the middle overs as they looked to restrict KKR. (BCCI)

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Andre Russell punished the CSK bowlers as KKR eyed a big total. (BCCI)

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Andre Russell blasted 11 sixes as KKR ended up on 202/6 in 20 overs. (BCCI)

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Shane Watson gave CSK a flying start as 75 runs were scored in the powerplay. (BCCI)

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Tom Curran got the wicket of Watson as KKR fought back. (BCCI)

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Kuldeep Yadav got the wicket of Ambati Rayudu as KKR built the pressure. (BCCI)

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Sunil Narine ended with figures of 4-0-17-1. (BCCI)

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MS Dhoni started off slowly but grew in confidence. (BCCI)

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Sam Billings gave Dhoni good support as CSK clawed back. (BCCI)

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Sam Billings blasted 56 off 23 balls as CSK came back in the contest. (BCCI)

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Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo blasted 17 runs in the last over as CSK clinched a five-wicket win. (BCCI)

UPDATED ON APR 11, 2018 12:27 AM IST