Chris Gayle announced his return in style as Kings XI Punjab handed Chennai Super Kings their first loss of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 at Mohali after clinching a narrow four-run win. The hosts survived an onslaught from MS Dhoni, who showed he still has the intent of going big in an unbeaten 44-ball 79. In the end, KXIP prevailed after making sure CSK did not pull off another thrilling win.
In pursuit of 198 runs, CSK managed 193/5 with Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu (49) scoring some crucial run for the visitors. Credit to Mohit Sharma for eking out a crucial final over and not allowing an injured Dhoni to walk away with the match. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was brilliant with the ball giving away just 18 from three overs.
A nail biting finish here at Mohali.#KXIP win by 4 runs#KXIPvCSK pic.twitter.com/V3eNMun1DD
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2018
Earlier, KXIPÂ rode through Chris Gayle’s brutal 33-ball 63. The southpaw was amazing to watch and contributed to the side’s 197/7. He was well supported by opening partner KL Rahul (37).
R Ashwin’s side notched their second victory of IPL 2018 to stay 2nd in the table ahead of CSK.
Here we look at the impact player, powerful performer and key moments of the game.
 Impact Player of the day: MS Dhoni
Who says Dhoni has lost his swag? The CSK skipper just showed how brutal he still is in this format. A gentleman and a champion, MSD battled through the pain. Yet the veteran batsman went on to smash a 44-ball 79. Dhoni took the game to the end and almost pulled off a victory. His key impact was in the 19th over when he smashed two sixes and a four off Andrew Tye.
31 runs were scored in the last two overs with Dhoni taking center stage. Prior to that, many would have felt the match was out of CSK’s reach, but Dhoni brought a different flavor altogether. CSK won their previous two games off the second last ball of their innings, but this time they fell short. If Dhoni would have been fit, CSK would most probably have won this tie as well.
Dhoni clobbered Mohit Sharma for a six off the final ball, but it was too late!
 Powerful Performer of the day: Chris Gayle
Omit him at your own peril. This is what KXIP must have realized after leaving out Gayle for the first two matches. The West Indian marked his call-up to the side with a typical ‘Gayle-storm’ that hit Mohali much for the fans’ delight and the misery for Dhoni and CSK. There was a sudden buzz on the field with Gayle’s presence.
It was a vintage Gayle knock that had its shine and ruthlessness. Gayle’s 63 off just 33 deliveries stole the show at Mohali with fans finally getting a view of the massacre he is capable of. He brought up his fifty in just 22 balls.
He's back in the action and how!
A 50 off 22 balls for @henrygayle against #CSK #UniverseBoss #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/cp6RTBQBm5
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2018
His debut innings for KXIP was laced with seven fours and four sixes. Gayle wasn’t rusty at all and was at his vintage best massacring bowlers with his stand and deliver prowess.
He must have got bags of confidence post this knock and it gives R Ashwin the option to utilize Gayle on a regular basis from here on.
The key moment of the day
Opening run stands in this format brings a lot of value and that too if batsmen go berserk during the power play overs in order to lay a foundation. An in-form KL Rahul and Gayle managed to do that in style when they added 96 runs for the first wicket in just eight overs.
CSK bowlers were humbled at Mohali as both batsmen plundered runs and looked in fine flow to support each other well. Rahul played his part with a 22-ball 37 runs, hitting seven fours. The pair’s ominous first-wicket stand took the game away from CSK. Although the side looked to go well past the 200-run mark, they did a decent job in getting 197 runs on the board.
The duo’s solid partnership was our pick as the key moment of the day.