Kolkata, April 14: Table-toppers Chennai Super Kings continued their winning run and showed their composure in run chase as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets at Eden Gardens on Sunday (April 14) in the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019.
With this win, the MS Dhoni-led CSK took another positive step towards playoffs. They have also registered their first win at Eden Gardens after 2013.
Chasing a target of 162 in 20 overs, CSK lost their openers Shane Watson (6) and Faf du Plessis (24) in powerplays. On a track assisting spinners, Kolkata tweakers Sunil Narine (4-1-19-2) and Piyush Chawla (2-32) gave the visitors big blows in the middle overs to keep things tight for them.
Watson's poor form with the bat continued as he was trapped in front by Harry Gurney in the fourth over itself. Narine then cleaned up Du Plessis in his very first over as the Protea looked to sweep the mystery spinner.
Chawla then dismissed Ambati Rayudu (5) cheaply and ended the cameo of Kedar Jadhav (20) to an end. Chennai found themselves in deep trouble as their four batsmen were back in the dugout under hundred.
MS Dhoni (16) and his deputy Suresh Raina (58*) revived the CSK innings in the run chase and stitched a partnership of 40 runs between them. Raina - who was looking out of form in the tournament - announced his return to form with a brilliant half-century.
With 42 needed from the 30 balls, Narine gave CSK their biggest jolt as he trapped their skipper in front. But Ravindra Jadeja - who remained unbeaten in the previous game - had other ideas. His cameo of 17-ball 31 saw his team through.
With 24 needed from last 12 balls, Jadeja attacked Harry Gurney in the 19th over and smashed four boundaries to accumulate 15 runs. With 8 needed from 6 deliveries, it was merely a formality for Jadeja and Raina.
Earlier, veteran spinner Imran Tahir's 4-27 rattled KKR batsmen in his web. He accounted for the big wickets of Chris Lynn (82), Andre Russell (10), Robin Uthappa (0), Nitish Rana (21). The veteran tweaker first grabbed the wickets of Rana and Uthappa in an over and later got the dangermen Lynn and Russell in another over.
Mitchell Santner (1-30) and Shardul Thakur (2-18) were the other wicket-takers for Chennai as Deepak Chahar and Ravindra Jadeja were attacked by Lynn. Santner got the visitors their first breakthrough after he got rid of opener Narine (2) in the powerplay.
Lynn was looking in ominous touch with the bat as he went after in-form Chahar and economical Jadeja. After losing Lynn and Russell in an over, KKR were knocked off course as they could only amass 28 runs from the last 5 overs.
Chennai's fielding was top-notch today. Faf du Plessis took some exceptional catches in the outfield. Shardul Thakur and substitute Dhruv Shorey took fine catches and complemented their bowlers well.
It's all over!! Chennai Super Kings have chased down 162 and defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare. Another calculated run chase by CSK but it was the finishing touch of Ravindra Jadeja that saw them through.
CSK need 2 from 3 balls.
Four!! Ravindra Jadeja gets a boundary on the first ball bowled by Chawla. 4 needed from 5 deliveries.
Four, Four, Four! A hat-trick of boundaries from Ravindra Jadeja off Gurney CSK need 11 from 8 balls.
Four! Ravindra Jadeja hits Gurney down the ground. 19 needed from 10 balls.
8 runs came from that over bowled by Sunil Narine. CSK - 138/5 after 18 overs. They need 24 from 12 balls. This match is headed for a thriller but the KKR spinners have pulled things back for their team by picking up wickets at regular intervals. It's not going to be easy for Chennai.
9 came from that over bowled by Prasidh. CSK - 130/5 after 17 overs. Narine will bowl the 18th over. CSK need 32 from 18 balls.
Four! Ravindra Jadeja hits Prasidh Krishna towards long-off for a boundary.
Fifty! Suresh Raina brings up his half-century off 36 deliveries. But the vice-captain has a lot to do if CSK look to win this game.
0,1,W,0,0,0! Superb over from Narine. He's just turned the game in his team's favour. CSK - 121/5 in 16 overs. They need 41 off 24 balls to win this one.
Wicket! MS Dhoni (16) has been trapped in front by Sunil Narine. Dhoni was almost confirmed that he was out but Raina convinced him to take a tactical review but in vain. CSK lost their skipper and they look in deep trouble now.
11 runs came from Harry Gurney's over. CSK - 120/4 after 15 overs. 42 needed from 30 balls. MS Dhoni has encountered some trouble in his lower back. Physio is into the middle to attend him.
Four! Suresh Raina gets a boundary down the leg side off Gurney. It was a brilliant leg glance from the southpaw.
13 runs came from that over bowled by Piyush Chawla. It was the first over when CSK batters went after Chawla and got 10-plus runs. CSK - 109/4 after 14 overs. 53 runs needed from 36 deliveries.
Four! 100 comes up for CSK with a boundary from Suresh Raina. He guides the ball from Chawla for a boundary as he played it late.
1,2,6,2,1,1! 13 runs came from Kuldeep Yadav's over. CSK - 96/4 after 13 overs. They need 66 from 42 deliveries.
SIX! MS Dhoni walks down the ground and hammers Kuldeep Yadav over long-on for a maximum. The chinaman wasn't anticipating that shot from Dhoni.
Superb second over of the innings from Piyush Chawla. He conceded just two from it and got the wicket of dangerous looking Kedar Jadhav. Excellent stuff from the leg-spinner. CSK - 83/4 in 12 overs. They need 79 from 48 deliveries.
The spinners are definitely getting a lot of assistance from the pitch and the run chase isn't going to be an easy one for Chennai.
Wicket! Kedar Jadhav's cameo of 11-ball 20 comes to an end as Piyush Chawla once again gives Chennai a big jolt. CSK - 81/4 after 11.1 overs.
Four! Kedar Jadhav uses the depth of the crease and gets a boundary towards mid-wicket and long-off. He's only dealing in boundaries. CSK - 81/3 after 11 overs.
SIX!! Kedar Jadhav pulls Kuldeep Yadav over mid-wicket for a maximum. He's been busy from the moment he stepped into the middle.
10 overs have been bowled and Chennai reach 70/3 as they chase 162. Kolkata spinners have been bowling well and keeping things tight for the visitors. It isn't going to be an easy run chase.
1,1,0,0,1,1! Just 4 runs came from the first over bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. CSK - 61/2 after 9 overs. They need 101 runs from 66 deliveries.
Four! Suresh Raina gets a boundary off Sunil Narine. It was bowled towards his leg the southpaw got his third boundary in that region, just deflected the ball towards fine leg boundary. CSK - 57/2 after 8 overs. The flow of runs has slowed down after the wicket of du Plessis.
Just three runs came from that over bowled by Prasidh Krishna. CSK - 47/2 after 7 overs. The bowlers have kept things tight for the visitors in the run chase.
0,0,W,0,0,0! Wicket-maiden over from Sunil Narine. What a start this has been from the spinner? CSK - 44/2 after 6 overs.
Wicket! Faf du Plessis (24) is clean bowled by Sunil Narine. The batsman was looking to play a big stroke against the mystery spinner missed it completely while attempting a sweep shot and paid the price. #CSK - 44/2 after 5.3 overs.
The sweep is a risky shot for du Plessis. In his #IPL career, he's played it 30 times, scoring 46 runs but being dismissed on five occasions.
Four! Another boundary for Raina towards fine leg. Another lose delivery from the speedster and it got the treatment. 8 runs came from that over. CSK - 44/1 after 5 overs.
Four! Suresh Raina gets a boundary towards fine leg region off Prasidh Krishna. Bad line to bowl to the southpaw.
Review! Umpire gives Suresh Raina (1) LBW but the batsman goes upstairs immediately to overturn the decision. There was a faint inside edge from the bat confirmed the ultra-edge. Big relief in CSK dugout.
Wicket! Shane Watson (6) has been trapped in front by Harry Gurney. The Aussies batter's poor run with the bat continues. CSK - 29/1 after 3.1 overs.
0,4,4,4,4,0! 16 runs came from that over bowled by Andre Russell. Faf du Plessis gets 16 from the third over. CSK - 29/0 after 3 overs.
Andre Russell is bowling the third over for KKR. He's not looking 100 per cent fit in his run-up.
Good start from Harry Gurney as he concedes just 3 from it. CSK 13/0 after 2 overs as they chase 162.
After the first over, CSK are 10/0. Harry Gurney has been brought into the attack from the other end.
Four! Faf du Plessis plays a wristy shot and gets off the mark in style. It was the first ball faced by the CSK opener.
Four! Shane Watson gets off the mark with a boundary on the very first ball of the innings bowled by Prasidh Krishna.
2nd Innings! Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson walk into the middle to start CSK run chase. Prasidh Krishna starts with the new ball for KKR.
Most wickets in IPL career after the age of 35!
KKR are some 20-25 runs short but their bowlers are capable of defending this total.
Wicket! Kuldeep Yadav (0) has been run out by Shardul. KKR end their innings at 161/8 in 20 overs. This is some come back from CSK bowlers and they conceded just 19 runs from last 4 overs.
Wicket! Shubman Gill (15) gives a straight catch to Jadeja in the deep. Shardul gets a wicket. KKR 161/7 in 19.5 overs.
0,1,1,0,1,1! Just 4 runs came from Deepak Chahar's final over. Some come back from the speedster after going for runs in this first three overs. KKR - 157/6 after 19 overs.
1,W,1,1,0,1! 4 runs and a wicket came in that over bowled by Shardul Thakur. He's over-shadowed Deepak Chahar in this match. KKR - 153/6 after 18 overs.
Wicket! Dinesh Karthik (18) skies Shardul Thakur and Faf du Plessis takes another well-judged catch. Is the fourth catch for SA skipper in this game. KKR - 150/6 in 17.2 overs.
7 runs came from Imran Tahir's final over. The leg-spinner finishes with 4-0-27-4. KKR - 149/5 after 17 overs.
9 runs came from that over bowled by Santner. KKR - 142/5 after 16 overs.
4,0,6,Wicket! Andre Russell attacked Tahir but ended up giving his wicket too. Dhruv Shorey took a superb catch at mid-on to end the Big Man's knock. Tahir struck twice in that over. KKR - 132/5 in 14.5 overs.
Wicket!!! Imran Tahir strikes again as he ends the innings of dangerous Lynn for 82. Good catch by Shardul in the deep. KKR - 122/4 after 14.1 overs.
Four!! DK joins the party as he ends Jadeja's over with a boundary. After Lynnsanity, the crowd witnessed Karthik's soft-touch. 23 runs came from that over and KKR have reached 121/3 in 14 overs. Who needs Russell when Lynn is going at this pace?
SIX, SIX, SIX! Lynnsanity is ON!!! Back-to-back maximums from Chris Lynn off Ravindra Jadeja. The crowd at Eden Gardens are on their feet.
Tidy over from Santner as he concedes 7 runs from it. KKR - 98/3 after 13 overs. Lynn, Karthik are present into the midde. Dre Russ, Gill, are still to come.
0,1,1,6,1,1! 10 runs came from the third over bowled by Chahar. This hasn't been a memorable game for the right-arm pacer. He's leaked runs and didn't get any wickets. KKR - 91/3 after 12 overs.
Wicket! Robin Uthappa (0) attempts an attacking shot off Tahir couldn't time it well and Faf du Plessis took a sensational catch. Two wickets for Tahir in this over. KKR - 80/3 after 10.4 overs.
Wicket! Nitish Rana (21) looks to attack Imran Tahir but failed to time him well. Faf du Plessis catches him at long-on. Tahir gets the breakthrough but dangerous Chris Lynn is still present into the middle and KKR also possess a good batting line-up. #KKR - 79/2 after 10.2 overs.
Four! Another classical shot from Nitish Rana against Jadeja. The left-arm spinner hasn't been effective for CSK today.
6 runs came from that Jadeja over. KKR reach 77/1 after 10 overs.
CSK badly need a wicket now.
Fifty! 2nd half-century of the season for Chris Lynn off just 36 deliveries. His eighth of the tournament. #KKR 71/1 after 9 overs.
9 runs came from Jadeja's second over. Superb start for the hosts. Visitors are looking for the wicket of Lynn who's unbeaten at 48. KKR - 67/1 after 8 overs.
9 runs came from that over bowled by Santner. KKR are 58/1.
SIX!! Huge six from Chris Lynn's bat off Santner. The ball sailed into the stands. The Aussie is entertaining the Kolkata crowd with his explosive batting.
Good start for the hosts in the powerplay despite losing the wicket of Sunil Narine. KKR - 49/1 after 6 overs. Lynn is looking dangerous.
Four! Nitish Rana opens his account with a boundary off Jadeja. He needs to play a big knock today.
Wicket! Sunil Narine (2) tries to hit Mitchell Santner over long-on but finds Faf du Plessis near the boundary ropes. He was never looking in his elements today. Good start for the left-arm spinner as he gets a wicket in his first over, but Lynn is looking in ominous touch today. #KKR - 38/1 after 4.5 overs.
1000 runs for Chris Lynn for KKR.
MS Dhoni has introduced Mitchell Santner in the attack to break the partnership between Lynn and Narine.
Four! Lynn ends Shardul's over with a boundary. A sensational start for the hosts. Lynn has come out all guns blazing today. KKR - 33/0 after 4 overs.
Four! Chris Lynn hits Shardul Thakur down the ground and the ball races towards the fence at long-off. He's looking to show his power of hitting today.
4,6,4,0,0,0! 14 runs came from the second over bowled by Chahar. KKR - 24/0 after 3 overs. Will Dhoni bring Chahar for another over?
Four, SIX, Four! Chris Lynn welcomes Deepak Chahar with a boundary and follows it with a maximum. And gets another boundary. He's looking to go after CSK's strike pacer in the powerplay.
Shardul Thakur started well with his first over as he conceded just 2 from it.
After 1st over, KKR are 8/0. Lynn has started to attack CSK strike bowler.
Four! A second consecutive boundary from Lynn off Chahar. It was hit with power. They have decided to attack CSK's strike pacer from the start.
Four! Chris Lynn opens his and team's account with a boundary towards covers.
Chris Lynn takes the strike for KKR. Deepak Chahar starts with the new ball for CSK.
1st innings: Chennai Super Kings are walking into the middle. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine are going to open the innings for KKR.
Time for my weekly dosage of IPL. Knight Riders sent into bat by the Soup Or Kings. The Huss ringing the Eden Gardens bell. Why is one of the boundaries only 57 metres?
CSK (Playing XI): Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir.
Dinesh Karthik: We need to bat well. It's important to hit the right areas when we bowl. It's been a flat wicket and it's difficult to take wickets if the batsmen get going. Lynn and Narine are back and Gurney is back in place of Ferguson. Very positive and looking forward to this game.
MS Dhoni: We'll bowl first. If you see the wickets, they have been good over here. It's difficult to contain batsmen here, hence we need the opposition to put the runs on the board. We have had a few niggles and concerns but not particularly worried about that. Hope that Bravo comes back as soon as possible, he gives a balance to our side. Without him being there, we need to find the right balance. We have chased down totals, so I think we are a good space. We are playing with the same side.
CSK are playing with an unchanged side. No Harbhajan Singh today. 3 changes for KKR. Lynn, Narine are back. Gurney replaces Ferguson.
Toss: MS Dhoni wins toss, elects to bowl first at Eden Gardens. Dinesh Karthik and his boys will bat first and set the target. It was the fifth consecutive toss won by CSK.
Pitch Report: Sunil Gavaskar predicts a high-scoring contest at Eden Gardens as the pitch is conducive for batting. According to him the team that wins the toss should look to bat first.
CSK supporters gather at Eden Gardens.
Super Kings arrive at Eden!
Kuldeep Yadav enjoys a good record at Eden Gardens.