IPL 2019: Talking points from Chennai’s dominating win over Kolkata
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai witnessed another one-sided encounter on Tuesday night. While general fans criticized the sluggish turning track, CSK fans returned with a grinning face as their team took the pole position in the IPL standings. The Yellow Army bundled Kolkata Knight Riders for only 108 runs in 20 overs. Ambati Rayudu and Faf du Plessis ensured a calm chase and reached home with 16 balls remaining. The sedate encounter did produce a few talking points, here are three of them –
Deepak Chahar storms back
Against KXIP, CSK was defending 39 runs in 12 balls. Deepak Chahar, the bowler rarely seen in the death overs, bowled two consecutive height no-balls. A livid Dhoni gave him an earful. Chahar conceded only five runs and picked up a wicket to bring CSK back on the track.
Here at Chennai, Chahar was back in his elements in the opening overs. He sent back Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana to break the back of KKR’s batting lineup. Chahar won the Man of the match award for his spell of 3/20 in four overs.
Chennai Spin Kings
The pitch curator dished out another spinning beauty yesterday. Chennai unleashed all three of its world-class spinners on Kolkata Knight Riders. Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner, tasted first success and sent back Sunil Narine. Leg spinner Imran Tahir sprung into the action next and dismissed Dinesh Karthik and Shubman Gill. left-arm twirler Ravindra Jadeja also had a solitary success in the form of Prasidh Krishna. Jointly, the spinners returned with the figures of 12-0-53-5.
Russell bats in the first gear
On the commentary, Harsha Bhogle remarked, “It’s like watching a Lion turn vegetarian.” He was referring to Andre Russell blocking out deliveries at the start of his knock. Russell was 1(8) when he struck his first six. At 49/6, the West Indian all-rounder had to be careful and bide his time. Rusell was at the crease till the last ball was bowled, he finished with 50 from 44 balls. His innings included five fours and three sixes.
