2013 IPL Qualifier 2: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings
The impossible chase: CSK's four-run heist at Eden Gardens.
The 2013 IPL Qualifier 2 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings stands as one of the most dramatic and defining matches in Indian Premier League history, though it occurred before the Delhi Capitals' rebranding. Played at Eden Gardens on May 21, 2013, this encounter determined which team would advance to the final against Mumbai Indians. For fans of the Delhi franchise (then Delhi Daredevils), witnessing Chennai's miraculous recovery from a seemingly impossible position serves as a legendary benchmark for resilience in knockout cricket.
- date
- May 21, 2013
- result
- Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets with 2 balls remaining
Lore & Background
The climax involved Dhoni facing Sunil Narine in the last over with four runs needed. A single on the first ball brought the equation down to three off five, and a boundary was not required; instead, a simple push to mid-wicket on the fourth ball secured the victory. This match is often cited by historians and fans alike as the moment that solidified MS Dhoni's reputation as the greatest finisher in T20 history, setting a standard for what Delhi Capitals fans hope their own team can achieve in high-stakes games.
In Their Own Story
The humidity of Eden Gardens clung to the air as the crowd held its breath. The scoreboard glowed red with the impossible target. MS Dhoni walked out to the crease, his helmet tucked under one arm, a calm mask over the chaos unfolding around him. He looked at the bowler, Sunil Narine, and then back to the boundary rope. There was no panic in his eyes, only calculation. With one ball left and three runs needed for victory, the stadium erupted not with noise, but with a collective, silent prayer before the bat swung.
Reader's Guide
The KKK bowlers started strong, restricting CSK to 60/4 after the powerplay, leaving the Super Kings in deep trouble with 15 overs remaining. Dwayne Smith provided a brief spark, but it was Ravindra Jadeja who steadied the ship, rotating the strike and keeping the required run rate manageable. The tension peaked in the penultimate over when KKR bowled tight lines, leaving CSK needing three runs off the final over with only one wicket in hand. The atmosphere turned electric as MS Dhoni faced Sunil Narine for the last ball. The fielders scrambled, but the ball rolled safely past them. CSK won by 5 wickets with one ball to spare, advancing to the final in a moment that defined the tournament.
Did You Know?
- This match is widely considered MS Dhoni's greatest captaincy performance in T20 cricket.
- Chennai Super Kings needed exactly four runs off the last over but won with two balls remaining.
- The victory sent CSK to their second IPL final, which they would go on to lose against Mumbai Indians.
- Sunil Narine bowled the final over, conceding a single on the first ball before Dhoni sealed the win with a push to mid-wicket on the fourth delivery.