Chennai, News Agency : Chennai Super Kings won by 7 wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders (CSK vs KKR) on the strength of first the flurry of the bowlers and then the burst of the batsmen, coupled with their excellent fielding. Ravindra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpade took 3 wickets each, while captain Rituraj Gaikwad (67 not out) played the lion's share in the victory with a half-century. Chennai restricted KKR to 137 for 9 and reached the target in 17.4 overs. Chennai have played five matches, out of which they have won 3, all three of which have come at home.
Chennai's M. A. Rachin Ravindra and captain Rituraj Gaikwad started taking notice of KKR's bowling after the CSK bowlers did their job well at the Chidambaram Stadium; But Vaibhav Arora dismissed Rachin (15) to give KKR their first breakthrough; But after that, Rituraj and Darryl Mitchell kept the scoreboard moving, taking care not to do any damage. As the team's score approached a century, Sunil Narine smashed Mitchell's hat-trick. He scored 25 runs.
Meanwhile, the skipper crossed the half-century mark in 45 balls. He was joined by Shivam Dubey. Dubey hit Arora for a six to bring the team to the brink of victory; But on the next ball, he got a triple. In the end, Dhoni scored the tying run, while Rituraj hit the winning boundary. (CSK vs KKR)
Earlier, CSK won the toss and invited KKR to bat first. Phil Salt was sent back by Tushar Deshpande on the very first ball. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Sunil Narine's half-century partnership saved KKR; But the change in bowling worked to CSK's advantage. On the first ball of the seventh over, Ravindra Jadeja stumped Raghuvanshi (24) who attempted a reverse sweep and took the wicket of Narine (27) on the fifth ball. Tikshan took the catch at long off. Jadeja dealt KKR their fourth blow by sending back Venkatesh Iyer (3) in his next over. CSK started the spin and Mahish Tikshan bowled Ramandeep Singh (13) for a hat-trick in the fifth over.
Ravindra Jadeja spelled 4-0-18-3. Chennai made good use of their spin attack and wore down Kolkata's run-rate. After this Shreyas Iyer and Rinku Singh had a big responsibility. Tushar Deshpande dismissed Rinku Singh (9) for the second wicket of the innings. Tushar took the third wicket of the innings by dismissing the explosive Andre Russell (10) cheaply. Tushar bowled 4-0-33-3. Shreyas Iyer (34) was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman in the 19th over. Kolkata could score 137 for 9 in 20 overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders: 137 for 9 in 20 overs. (Shreyas Iyer 34, Sunil Narine 27. Ravindra Jadeja 3/18.)
Chennai Super Kings: 141 for 3 in 17.4 overs.(Rituraj Gaikwad 67 not out, Shivam Dubey 28. Vaibhav Arora 2/28.)
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