CSK vs KKR: The trailblazing Chennai Super Kings overpowered Kolkata Knight Riders by 49 runs to register their fifth victory of the Tata Indian Premier League 2023. With this victory, the Yellow Army surpass Rajasthan Royals to bag the first spot in the standings as the 16th edition of the championship embraces the halfway stage. Winning the toss at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Nitish Rana made a blizzard decision to bowl first. Batting first, Chennai broke the shackles of KKR’s field and posted a breathtaking 235/4 runs total in their first innings of 20 overs.
Chennai Super Kings were off to a commanding start as opening batsmen Ruturaj Gaikwad (35) and Devon Conway (56) powered a stunning 73-run stand for the first wicket. Ace batsman Ajinkya Rahane (71) and Shivam Dube (50) capitalized on the momentum built by the frontline batting attack as they anchored a solid match-winning stand of 85 runs for the third wicket.
Jason-Rinku’s heroics got failed in front of CSK’s lethal spin attack
In the end, an explosive cameo from Ravindra Jadeja (18) assisted the Super Kings to breach the historic 230-run mark. For the Kolkata Knight Riders, Kulwant Khejroliya (2/44) starred in the bowling attack whereas Suyash Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy chipped in a wicket apiece.
Chasing a mammoth total of 236 runs, the Knight Riders seemed too uncomfortable as they lost wickets at the start. Iyer (20) and Rana (27) were looking good to solidify the innings but fell into trap of the Chennai spinners. Jason Roy (61) and Rinku Singh (53) had pitched in a gigantic rescue by building a commendable 65-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, the heroic spin attack of the Super Kings shattered the hopes of the home crowd as Roy and Rinku failed to retaliate against the disciplined bowling.
As a result, Kolkata was restricted to 186/8 and lost the match by 49 runs. For MS Dhoni & co, Maheesh Theekshana (2/32) and Tushar Deshpande (2/42) led the bowling attack whereas Akash Singh, Jadeja, and Moeen Ali claimed a wicket apiece.
CSK vs KKR: Brief Scores
CSK 235-4 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 71*, Devon Conway 56, Shivam Dube 50, Kulwant Khejroliya 2-44, Suyash Sharma 1-29) KKR 186-8 (Jason Roy 61, Rinku Singh 53*, Maheesh Theekshana 2-32, Tushar Deshpande 2-43) by 49 runs
Also read, MI Vs PBKS: Arshdeep Shines As Punjab Kings Ousted Mumbai Indians
