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The result reflected these contrasts as CSK beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 18 runs. A change in venue did not quite translate into change in fortune for KKR as they crashed to their third defeat on the trot.
CSK rose to the top of the points table. Faf du Plessis, Deepak Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, all in yellow jersey, will savour this evening for their memorable performances.
Eoin Morgan, Prasidh Krishna, Shubman Gill, in KKR colours, will want to forget Wednesday quickly. Andre Russell (22-ball 54) and Pat Cummins (34-ball 66*) did raise visions of a KKR miracle with their lusty sixes, six each. However, too much was being asked of them, even though Dinesh Karthik (24-ball 40) played an active supporting role.
The rise of Cummins as a batsman is a positive that KKR are going to take out of this match. He is perhaps the answer to the allrounder they were missing down the order.
Du Plessis proved he still has a lot to offer, cracking an unbeaten 95 off 60 balls as CSK took KKR’s attack apart, amassing 220/3. And on the other side of the innings break, Chahar struck with vengeance, grabbing 4/29.
Proud of the fighting spirit shown today…We take this energy and move forward.#KKRvCSK https://t.co/bpdVL7zC5H
— DK (@DineshKarthik) 1619030050000
KKR eventually were bowled out for 202 in the 20th over, a great fightback given that they were tottering at 31/5 in the sixth over.
Du Plessis’ principle partner was his fellow opener Gaikwad, who showed that he is ready to be counted among the best on India’s bench as he scored a timely and classy 64.
