IPL 2021 Final — Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Chennai Super Kings won the IPL 2021 Final against Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 15, 2021. CSK posted 192/3 and defended it comfortably as Shardul Thakur's bowling and sharp fielding restricted KKR to 165/9. This was CSK's fourth IPL title.
IPL 2021 Final Scorecard
Chennai Super Kings — 192/3 (20 overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Faf du Plessis | 86 | 61 |
| Moeen Ali | 37 | 20 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 32 | 27 |
| Robin Uthappa | 31 | 16 |
Bowling: Sunil Narine 2/26, Shivam Mavi 1/32
Kolkata Knight Riders — 165/9 (20 overs)
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 51 | 46 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 50 | 32 |
| Shivam Mavi | 20 | 14 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 18 | 13 |
Bowling: Shardul Thakur 3/38, Josh Hazlewood 2/29, Ravindra Jadeja 2/37
Faf du Plessis — The Man of the Final
Faf du Plessis' 86 off 61 balls was the innings that won CSK the title. The South African played with the authority and elegance that had made him one of CSK's most important players for years. His partnership with Robin Uthappa (31 off 16) provided the acceleration that took CSK to a match-winning total.
Gill and Iyer — KKR's Brave Chase
Shubman Gill (51 off 46) and Venkatesh Iyer (50 off 32) gave KKR hope with a brilliant opening partnership. But once both fell in quick succession, KKR's lower order couldn't maintain the required rate against CSK's disciplined bowling attack.
Shardul Thakur's Decisive Spell
Shardul Thakur's 3/38 was the bowling performance that broke KKR's resistance. Taking wickets at crucial moments — including both Gill and Iyer — Thakur ensured CSK never allowed KKR to build the momentum needed for a successful chase.
CSK's Remarkable Comeback
IPL 2021 was a remarkable story for CSK — they had finished last in IPL 2020 and were written off by many. Under MS Dhoni's leadership, they rebuilt completely, blooded young players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, and returned to claim their fourth title. It remains one of the great franchise comebacks in T20 history.
