Mumbai: Kolkata Knight Riders register a easy win as they beat Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of IPL 2022 by six wickets with nine balls remaining. KKR were chasing a mediocre total of 132 and they made it look really easy as the top order came to the party, especially Ajinkya Rahane who scored 44.
Batting first, CSK got off to the worst possible start, losing Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) in the first over. Later the fans were treated to a vintage MS Dhoni display with an unbeaten 50 runs off 38 balls to revive CSK’s innings after an impressive bowling performance from the KKR unit.
Skipper Ravindra Jadeja also scored crucial 26 runs and Robin Uthappa managed 28 to power CSK to a modest 131 for five in 20 overs. Dwayne Bravo was the most successful bowler for CSK, snapping 3 for 20 in his quota of four overs.
in reply, Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer gave KKR a flying start. Although CSK pegged back with some quick wickets, but Rahane’s innings and Sam Billings’ 25, ensured KKR to open their account in 18.3 overs.
For KKR Umesh Yadav snapped two wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy (1/23) and Andre Russell (1/38) also kept things in control at the Wankhede Stadium.
Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings: 131 for 5 in 20 overs (MS Dhoni 50 not out; Umesh Yadav 2/20) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders: 133 for 4 in 18.3 overs ( Ajinkya Rahane 44; Dwayne Bravo 3/20).
