Newdelhi:9/4/24:Chennai Super Kings (CSK) put in a comprehensive all-round performance to overcome Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) challenge at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The CSK bowlers restricted an in-form KKR batting line-up to 137 and followed it up with a stable batting performance to clinch a seven-wicket win. This is KKR’s first defeat in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
On choosing to bowl first, CSK made a breakthrough off the first ball. Phil Salt hit one straight to Ravindra Jadeja at point off Tushar Deshpande. The young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who caught the eye during KKR’s match against Delhi Capitals (DC), joined Sunil Narine in the middle.
For the next six overs, Narine and Raghuvanshi batted as if they were continuing their partnership from Visakhapatnam. Both batters were looking to maximise the powerplay and played some eye-catching shots. Raghuvanshi hit a six straight down the ground, which reflected his technical ability. Narine batted in his style to pick up three fours and two sixes. KKR sped away to 56 in the powerplay and it looked like they were eyeing a big score.
The 70-run partnership was broken by Narine when Mitchell (25) charged down the track and was bowled in the 13th over. Shivam Dube walked in and delighted the crowd with some good shots – the two back-to-back sixes off Varun Chakaravarthy elicited huge roars from the home fans. Dube smashed a full delivery for six over mid-wicket off Vaibhav Arora to take CSK on the cusp of victory, but in trying to hit another, he was bowled.
With three runs to win, MS Dhoni walked into those expected huge cheers at the MS Chidambaram Stadium. Dhoni played out a dot ball to end the 17th over. Gaikwad picked a single off the first ball of the next over and handed the strike to Dhoni as the crowd rejoiced. Dhoni flicked it to square leg to take a single and open his account. Gaikwad then finished it off with a boundary and took CSK to victory. His unbeaten 67 formed the backbone of the victory, alongside the bowlers’ contribution.