IPL 2018, KKR vs CSK: 3 Unnoticed things from the match

Match 33 of IPL 2018 witnessed a top table clash between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Batting first, CSK posted 177 runs on the board thanks to useful knocks from Shane Watson, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni which looked above par at the halfway mark.

Despite losing Lynn early in the chase, Kolkata batsmen played an attacking brand of cricket and kept up with the required run rate hitting boundaries at the regular intervals and never allowed the pressure to build for them.

Shubman Gill and Dinesh Karthik starred with the bat with the former smashing a brilliant half-century for the home side and stitched an unbroken partnership to chase the target with 14 balls to spare. We take a look at the three unnoticed things from the match which had a considerable impact on the result.

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#1 Poor fielding from KKR

Dangerous enough in their own right, KKR offered them a lifeline each for Shane Watson, Suresh Raina and Dhoni which helped to flourish their innings and build a solid base for a big total. Shane Watson and Suresh Raina were in single digits when KKR fielders failed to grab the chance offered to them.

First of those was from Shivam Mavi when he misjudged a run out opportunity from Shane Watson, who was late to start off from the crease running at the bowler's end. The next two chances were relatively easy and straightforward catches, dropped by Dinesh Karthik and Shubman Gill letting Raina and Dhoni off respectively.

All three batsmen went on to play significant innings for their side with Dhoni top scoring with 25 balls 43 helping CSK to post above par total of 177 runs on the board, which were not proved to be enough in the end.

#2 Piyush Chawla - Silent performer for KKR

Bowling at the powerplays and death overs, Piyush Chawla emerged as the silent performer for KKR this year. He not only took wickets at the crucial junctures but also bowling economically for his captain who trusted him with final over, picking the wicket of Jadeja in the penultimate ball of the innings.

First of his dismissals came in the powerplay overs, foxing Duplessis with a googly and were unlucky not to pick Raina, courtesy of a drop from Dinesh Karthik standing behind. Piyush Chawla finished his spell with decent figures of 4-0-35-2 and thereby completing 50th wickets for KKR.

#3 Six-hitter Narine!

Hitting sixes at ease was always attributed to big hitters like Andre Russell and Chris Lynn but Sunil Narine, opening for KKR matched those batsmen in clearing the ropes. He has smashed 14 sixes in this tournament for KKR including a couple of big ones today, outnumbering the likes of Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa.

Opening with Chris Lynn for the second consecutive season, Sunil Narine played fearless cricket at the top and played useful cameos for his side breaking down the targets and made it easier for the other batsmen.

Picking a couple of wickets at crucial junctures of the match and playing a useful knock of 32 chasing 178, he credited with the man of the match award for his all-around performance.

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