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.
Earlier in the game, KKR skipper, Dinesh Karthik decided to bat first after winning the toss as he made no change in their squad. On the other hand, CSK made one change in their squad as they roped in Karn Sharman to replace Piyush Chawla.
WATCH – Ravindra Jadeja Took A Phenomenal Catch To Send Back Sunil Narine
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.
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.
WATCH – MS Dhoni Took A Flying Catch In The Last Over Of The Innings
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.
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 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.
Match Summary:
Kolkata Knights Riders – 167 all-out in 20 overs (R Tripathi:81, S Narine: 17; DJ Bravo: 3/37) defeated Chennai Super Kings – 157/5 in 20 overs (S Watson: 51; V Chakravarthy: 1/28, K Bagarkoti: 1/21) by 10 runs
Here is how Twitterati reacted to KKR’s thrilling win:
A good start that didn't quite go the way we wanted. With hope we'll return. 🦁💛 #WhistlePodu #Yellove #WhistleFromHome #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/AsxAVqjZiN
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) October 7, 2020
When Rayudu and Watson were batting #csk were in total control,outstanding come back by #kkr big win this for them. #RahulTripathi #sunilnarine
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 7, 2020
KORECHE… LORECHHE… JITECHHE…
As I said before, it won’t be easy to chase down 168 at Abu Dhabi… Huge win this for @KKRiders… This win against the mighty @ChennaiIPL will give enormous confidence to #KKR.#IPL2020 #KKRvsCSK— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) October 7, 2020
Omg can't believe this! Where was #bravo? Unbelievable, said it earlier @ChennaiIPL still need to finish! Well played @KKRiders brilliant bowling by russel and narine in the death! #CSKvsKKR #IPL2020
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) October 7, 2020
High time #CSK thought about their “Indian batting composition” in the team, especially the inclusion of #KedarJadhav in the middle order.
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) October 7, 2020
Well who am I to question the tactics of @Bazmccullum and @DineshKarthik …. what a fine 10 over block in the back end of that match … fabulous bowling. Never seen @ChennaiIPL squeezed like that before 👏👏👏👏
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) October 7, 2020
Aye pagli, Tu khush reh.. Mai apno ko rulata hu, parayo ko nahi. #IPL pic.twitter.com/QyVO9drtC5
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 7, 2020
