IPL 2020: KKR vs CSK Review – Karthik, spinners outsmart CSK in Abu Dhabi

The Kolkata Knight Riders recovered from their previous loss to defeat Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs in Abu Dhabi. In the end, it was the smart captaincy of Dinesh Karthik that helped KKR restrict CSK, who were chasing 168.

The KKR skipper smartly held back Sunil Narine while the youngster Varun Chakravarthy also bowled well. At 99/1, things looked good for CSK with Shane Watson recording his second successive fifty. But then the pitch slowed down and Chennai lost all the momentum in the innings. With wickets falling in heap in the middle overs, there was no set batsman in the middle when the required run-rate soared. Eventually, CSK could only reach 157 runs in 20 overs.

However, the fact that KKR could post 167 runs in their 20 overs was only due to Rahul Tripathi. Promoted to open the innings after his heroics at number 8 in the previous game, Tripathi played superbly mixing caution with aggression. Despite wickets falling every now and then at the other end, he held his own and scored a brilliant 81 off 51 deliveries with 8 fours and 3 sixes. His knock helped KKR post an above-par total.

Turning Points

Rahul Tripathi’s knock – No prizes for guessing. Tripathi single-handedly took KKR to 140 until he got out in the 17th over. His teammates came and got out at regular intervals but it was Tripathi who played smartly and churned out runs whenever required. He continued his batting from where he left in Sharjah while batting at eight. There was confidence in his crunching drives and that worked perfectly for KKR on the day.

Sunil Narine’s spell – Well, this has to be a captaincy masterclass from Dinesh Karthik. Despite the dangerous-looking duo of Watson-Rayudu, he didn’t fluster and introduced Narine in the 12th over of the innings. This is where CSK began to choke and both set batsmen got out. Narine got the better of Watson for the ninth time in T20 cricket. His figures of 1/31 wouldn’t indicate the amount of pressure his spell put on CSK batsmen.

Records/Personal Milestones

• KKR opted to bat first after winning the toss for the first time since IPL 2015
• KKR won against CSK for the first time while defending a total in IPL
• Birthday boy Dwayne Bravo completed 150 wickets in the IPL

Way Ahead

KKR will face the struggling KXIP in their next match on Saturday afternoon, while CSK will lock horns against RCB in Dubai on the same day.