Despite pacer Deepak Chahar’s outstanding powerplay effort, CSK’s total of 144 runs was insufficient against KKR.
Following Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s six-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, MS Dhoni stated that the presence of dew made the difference in the match and that spinners had an advantage in the first innings, preventing his side from posting a big score. Important fifties from Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana kept Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) playoff hopes alive as they defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
“One of those days when you win the toss and bat first and realize it’s a 180 wicket the moment the first ball is bowled in the second innings.” I don’t think we could have gotten close to 180 batting first. I believe the dew made a significant effect. When you compare the first and second innings, the spinners had a lot more purchase in the first innings, and that’s what really got to us,” Dhoni remarked after the game.
“(No one can be blamed for the defeat) Yes, I believe so. When there is uncertainty regarding dew, the choice (at the toss) becomes a little more difficult. And, as I previously stated, if you win the toss and bowl first and find there is no dew in the second innings, chasing 150 against their spinners may have been difficult as well. As a result, we can’t really criticize either batter or bowler for this defeat. “They gave it their all, but the weather had a big impact on the game,” the captain said.
CSK chose to bat first and were limited to 144/ in 20 overs. Shivam Dube (48* in 34 balls), Devon Conway (30 in 28 balls), and Ravindra Jadeja (20) all delivered solid blows. Dube and Jadeja put up a 68-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Sunil Narine was the KKR bowler of choice, taking 2/15 in four overs. Varun Chakravarthy (2/36) took a couple of wickets as well. Vaibhav Arora and Shardul Thakur each took a wicket.
KKR was 33/3 in the chase of 145 at one point. Then KKR got back into the game with a 99-run stand between skipper Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh. Nitish hit an undefeated 57 off 44 balls, including six fours and a six, while Rinku hit 54 off 43 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes. With six wickets in hand, KKR chased down the score in 18.3 overs.
Deepak Chahar (3/27) was CSK’s first-choice bowler and dealt early damage to KKR’s top order.
CSK is in second place with seven victories, five defeats, and one tie. They have 15 points in total. KKR is eighth with six wins, seven defeats, and a total of 12 points.
Rinku was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his 50.
