In the 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a close win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Abu Dhabi by 10 runs. In the first innings, KKR opener, Rahul Tripathi amassed 81 off just 51 balls, while in the second innings, Varun Chakravarthy got the prized wicket of MS Dhoni in the 17th over as he conceded just 28 runs in his spell.
KKR openers, Rahul Tripathi, and Shubman Gill started off well as they added 37 runs inside the first four overs before the Shardul Thakur getting the better of the latter in his first over itself. Then, along with Nitish Rana, Rahul added 33 runs for the second wicket before Karn Sharma getting the wicket of Rana in the 9th overs. After the little hiccup, Tripathi tried to make a partnership with Sunil Narine, but the latter also got out in the 11th over.
WATCH – Ravindra Jadeja Took A Phenomenal Catch To Send Back Sunil Narine
After Narine’s dismissal, none of the KKR batsmen managed to stay in the middle as only Rahul Tripathi who scored 81. From 98/3 in 11 overs, KKR came down to 162/7 by the end of the 19th over. They lost three wickets in the last over and eventually got bundled it for 167 in their quota of 20 overs. For CSK, DJ Bravo scalped three wickets and gave away just 37 runs.
During the chase, the CSK openers, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis but the latter was eventually dismissed by Shivam Mavi in the 4th over, still, Chennai surpassed the 50-run mark in the powerplay itself. Waston added 69 runs for the second wicket with Ambati Rayudu before the latter getting out in the 13th over of Nagakoti, even Watson was dismissed in the very next over of Narine.
WATCH – MS Dhoni Took A Flying Catch In The Last Over Of The Innings
After Watson’s wicket, things started getting difficult for CSK as the KKR bowlers started bowling tight lines and they needed 58 runs off the last five overs then Sam Curran and Dhoni smashed 14 runs in the 16th over. Equation came down to CSK requiring 44 in the last fours over and in order to up the ante Dhoni lost his wicket to Chakravarthy and after than Chennai managed to get back in the game as they eventually lost the game by 10 runs.
Hits
Rahul Tripathi
After failing to make it to the playing XI in the first four matches of the IPL 2020, Rahul Tripathi was desperate to score and he roared when it mattered the most. Tripathi amassed as many as 81 runs in just 51 deliveries with the help of eight fours and 3 sixes.
Varun Charkarthy
Varun Chakravarthy has always been a go-to bowler for KKR this season and he didn’t disappoint when the team needed him. Bowling his final over in the slow overs he managed to scalp the dangerous, MS Dhoni on his this delivery itself. He completed his spell after scalping one wicket conceded just 28 runs.
Flops
MS Dhoni
It’s been the second consecutive game when MS Dhoni has failed to take his team over the line. CSK hasn’t managed to win a single match if the top-order hasn’t performed well.
Faf du Plessis
After scoring match-winning fifties against MI and KXIP, Faf du Plessis was expected to take the game away from KKR. In order to Chennai have a chance to reach the playoffs, Fafneeds to be more consistent.
