Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) managed a total of 179 for 6, thanks to contributions from Ajinkya Rahane and Andre Russell, in their IPL clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Eden Gardens. The spin-friendly pitch saw CSK’s Noor Ahmad shine with figures of 4 for 31, as the visitors effectively applied the brakes on KKR following the powerplay.
Batting first, KKR started with a clear objective: to maximise the powerplay. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge but was caught for 11 off nine balls. He tried to assert dominance with a boundary and a six but eventually chipped one to midwicket. Sunil Narine and Rahane upheld the aggressive intent as KKR reached 67 for 1 in their six-over stint. Although neither looked entirely settled, their combined efforts included eight fours and two sixes.
Reflecting on the conditions, a cricket analyst noted, “It was a classic Eden Gardens turner, making every shot against spin a calculated risk.” KKR’s shot selection was put to the test, with 20 ‘not-in-control’ shots recorded.
Post-powerplay, KKR’s momentum stalled. Noor struck twice in his first over, dismissing Narine with a smart stumping, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi delicately edged behind. These breakthroughs halted the run rate temporarily.
Rahane found an ally in Manish Pandey, filling in for the injured Venkatesh Iyer. The pair added a sensible 32 runs off 28 balls. Rahane quipped about his innings, “It was tricky out there, but we were aiming for a defendable score.”
Enter Andre Russell, the playmaker. His spirited knock of 38 off 21 deliveries ensured KKR finished strongly with 70 crucial runs in the last six overs. The innings closed quietly though, with Pathirana expertly restricting runs in the final over.
CSK’s bowlers shared the spin duties efficiently. Though satisfied with their bowling display, a CSK insider remarked, “We’ve kept them below 200, giving ourselves a fighting chance despite the conditions.”
As the teams switched, it was clear both sides held reasonable satisfaction—KKR for a target they felt could be defended with their spin attack, and CSK for curbing the opposition under challenging circumstances. The second innings promises an intriguing chase on a wicket offering plenty for the spinners.
