Rahul and De Kock power Lucknow to victory over Chennai

Rahul's and De Kock's opening partnership of 134 runs set up Lucknow to reach 180-2 in reply to Chennai's 176-6 and win by eight wickets.

Both teams have four wins from sevens games, but Chennai are third and Lucknow fifth on net run rate.

Rahul, the Super Giants' captain, scored 82 off 53 balls with nine fours and three sixes. He was out with only 16 runs needed. De Kock hit 54 off 43 balls and fell in the 15th over.

They made full use of the power play, plundering 54 runs in the first six overs, and their partnership reached 100 off only 65 balls.

De Kock reached 50 off 41 balls, hitting five fours and a six, before he was caught behind off Mustafizur Rahman.

It was a poor bowling display from Chennai, however. The spinners were not able to exploit a slow-paced track, partly owing to the dewy conditions.

Rahul stroked his way to a 31-ball half-century. Rahul fell before the finish line but the promoted Nicholas Pooran finished off Lucknow's first win in three games. He was 23 not out off 12 balls.

Put into bat, Chennai lost opener Rachin Ravindra for a golden duck. Ajinkya Rahane made 36 off 24 balls, while skipper Rituraj Gaikwad scored 17.

The Lucknow pacers were on top at the beginning. Mohsin Khan dismissed Ravindra and Yash Thakur sent back captain Rituraj Gaikwad. Ajinkya Rahane (36) fell to spin.

Ravindra Jadeja was promoted to No 3 to counter Lucknow's spin bowling and the move worked as he batted to his first half-century this season off 34 balls.

Jadeja did not get support until Moeen Ali arrived at 90-5. The left-handed pairing rescued Chennai with a combined 51 off 33 balls for the sixth wicket. Ali was out caught with 13 deliveries left.

Veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked in to a loud cheer and smacked 28 not out off nine deliveries, including three fours and two sixes. Jadeja finished 57 not out off 40 balls while Krunal Pandya took 2-16 and Marcus Stoinis 1-7.

Australian Associated Press