By Chennai Super Kings halted Kolkata Knight Riders’ unbeaten run early in the season at the Chepauk stadium. CSK, returning from two defeats on the road, found themselves on a spin-friendly pitch that suited their strengths. Ravindra Jadeja led the way with a stellar performance, taking 3 for 18 in his four overs. Mustafizur Rahman also played a key role, reclaiming the purple cap, while Tushar Deshpande proved effective. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had struggled in the first four games, rediscovered his form with the bat.
KKR made a flying start as usual, with Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi attacking from the outset. Despite losing Phil Salt early, they managed to score 56/1 in the powerplay, the most CSK had conceded at home this season. However, Jadeja’s spin choke in the middle overs changed the game. He dismissed Raghuvanshi and Narine, setting the tone for CSK’s dominance. KKR lost their way after the powerplay, managing only 53/4 in the next 10 overs. Mustafizur and Deshpande then tamed Andre Russell at the death, limiting KKR to 137/9.
In response, CSK’s chase was straightforward. Gaikwad led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 67 off 58 balls. Daryl Mitchell and Shivam Dube provided valuable contributions as well, guiding CSK to victory with ease. MS Dhoni, coming in towards the end, saw CSK through to a seven-wicket win. This victory takes CSK to Mumbai for their next match against Hardik Pandya’s team, while KKR will host Lucknow Super Giants in their next game at home.
Jadeja stars in breaking KKR’s winning streak
CSK’s victory over KKR showcased their ability to bounce back from setbacks, with Jadeja and Gaikwad playing pivotal roles. Jadeja’s all-round performance, both with the ball and in the field, earned him the Player of the Match award. His spell not only restricted KKR but also shifted the momentum in CSK’s favor. Gaikwad’s return to form was equally crucial, providing stability at the top of the order and guiding the team to victory.
On the other hand, KKR will look to regroup after this loss and analyze their performance. Despite a strong start, their batting faltered against CSK’s spin attack. They will need to address their middle-order batting and find ways to counter spin better in the upcoming games. With both teams now heading into crucial matches, CSK will aim to carry this momentum forward, while KKR will seek to bounce back quickly and return to winning ways.
