Chennai Super Kings lost their fourth game in six games this IPL 2020 as they went down by 10 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday. Needing 168 for a win, CSK got off to a flier, but their middle order failed to capitalize.
Here are the talking points from the game.
Chennai fail to chase yet again
Chennai Super Kings have opted to chase in each of their six games thus far – a template that has not worked for them. Though they get off to a good start initially, they often leave too much for the death overs and falter while chasing the target. Against KKR, a similar pattern emerged as they put on 54 for 1 in the first six overs and reached 90 for 1 at the end of 10 overs. They needed just 78 in the last 60 deliveries, but the side just scored 20 runs from overs 11 to 15, losing 2 wickets, which stalled the run flow. Eventually, they needed 39 from 18 balls, which proved a steep ask.
KKR’s middle order
Before IPL 2020, KKR were one of the favourites to w\win the title as they had one of the most formidable batting line-ups. With Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell in the middle order, KKR looked dangerous, but their inability to get going has been a major talking point. Despite the 10-run win, KKR will be disappointed by the performance of their batters. Other than Rahul Tripathi, who was asked to open the innings and scored a fine knock of 80+, no other player stuck around. The team raced away to 93 for 2 in the first 10 overs, and were well on course for a total of more than 190, but they eventually ended with just 75 more in the last 10 overs and lost 8 wickets.
Nitish Rana, Sunil Narine, Morgan, Dinesh Karthik and Russell could just manage 47 runs between them. Russell and Karthik have been unable to get going this edition, and KKR fans will hope they can come good.
KKR bowlers rise to the occasion
Though the batters failed to get going, the KKR bowlers impressed. Karthik deserves credit for the way he rotated the bowlers even after CSK had gotten off to a good start. The last 10 overs saw a disciplined bowling performance by the team. Narine was introduced only in the 12th over, and it was him, Varun Chakravarthy and Russell – KKR’s designated death overs bowler this season – who put in a resilient showing to hand KKR an improbable win. As Pat Cummins was bowled out by Karthik within the first 12 overs, Russell was introduced only in the 18th over and took his team over the line with 18 for 1 in his two overs.
Narine finished with 31 for 1, and sent back Shane Watson, who got his second successive fifty. Varun bowled brilliantly and ended with 21 for 1, while Kamlesh Nagarkoti too held his nerves and ended with 28 for 1 in his four overs.
A look at the Points Table after Match 21 of #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/ksUXUjOKdC
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