IPL 2023 | Chennai Super Kings Crush Kolkata Knight Riders in a batting Spectacle at Eden Gardens
Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube in action against KKR (IPLT20.com)
In a resplendent display of batting prowess, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured a splendid victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 33 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the illustrious Eden Gardens on Sunday.
The four-time IPL champions' scintillating triumph has propelled them to the top of the points table with a stellar record of five wins and two losses in seven games.
How the battle panned out?
KKR skipper Nitish Rana won the toss and invited CSK to bat first, a decision that proved to be ill-fated. The Men in Yellow seized the opportunity with both hands as their opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway launched a scorching assault, accumulating 59 runs in the powerplay. While Gaikwad departed after an exhilarating 35 off 20 balls, Conway persisted with his relentless barrage and recorded a gritty fifty, with Ajinkya Rahane providing ample support.
Despite losing Conway after a flamboyant knock of 56 off 40 deliveries, the sensational Shivam Dube partnered with Rahane, triggering an absolute carnage against KKR's beleaguered bowlers. The duo amassed a staggering 85-run partnership in a mere 32 balls, setting CSK on course for an enormous total.
Although Dube departed after a quickfire half-century off just 21 balls, Rahane carried on with his swashbuckling assault, aided by the dynamic Ravindra Jadeja's blistering 18 off eight balls. Together, they propelled CSK to a monumental score of 235/4, setting a new record for the highest IPL total at the iconic venue.
In response, KKR's chase got off to a calamitous start, losing both openers, Sunil Narine and N. Jagadeesan, for a solitary run within the first two overs. Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana endeavoured to revive the innings after the early collapse, but their valiant efforts proved futile as they perished for 20 and 27 runs, respectively.
Although the mercurial Jason Roy, who did not open the innings, staged a blazing comeback with a fifty off 19 balls but he departed after scoring 61 off 26 balls. Rinku Singh also tried his best with a commendable cameo of 53 off 33 balls but it was a mountain too big to climb for KKR as they succumbed to a 49-run defeat.
Brief Scores
Chennai Super Kings: 235/4 (20)
Ajinkya Rahane 71*(29), Devon Conway 56(40)
Kulwant Khejroliya 2-44, Suyash Sharma 1-29
Kolkata Knight Riders: 186/8 (20)
Jason Roy 61(26), Rinku Singh 53(33)
Maheesh Theekshana 2-32, Tushar Deshpande 2-43
Chennai Super Kings won by 49 runs
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