IPL 2018, KKR vs CSK: 4 masterstrokes from the game

It was a clash between two most widely followed IPL teams in the history of the league as Kolkata Knight Riders were hosting Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens.

Put into bat, the men in yellow had a blazing start with both their openers coming to the party. However, KKR bowlers pulled back things nicely by picking some quick wickets in the middle overs to put the shackles on the scoring rate. But some late fireworks from MS Dhoni saw the visitors post a respectable total of 177 runs in their 20 overs.

The home team didn’t get off to a great start but the likes Sunil Narine and Shubman Gill always kept them in the hunt to chase the target. It was eventually a matter of time when Dinesh Karthik along with Gill propelled their side to victory by six wickets.

Let’s take a look at some of the masterstrokes from the much-anticipated game:

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#1 Bowling Chawla for two overs in Powerplay

Coming after a win in the previous game, Kolkata had to continue the winning momentum and needed something magical form their bowlers to restrict the Chennai’s on-song campaign. The skipper came up with a nice plan to bowl his most experienced bowler in Piyush Chawla in the powerplay.

The veteran didn’t let his captain down as he managed to grab the prized scalp of Faf du Plessis. The SA skipper was looking dangerous with his quick fire 27, but Chawla was quick to send him packing in his second over of the spell bowled in the powerplay.

The decision to bowl a leg-spinner in the powerplay was a courageous ask but Piyush passed with flying colours to give his side the first breakthrough in the game.

#2 Yadav against his fellow state mate from Uttar Pradesh

In a battle between KKR and CSK, there were many player battles to look forward going into the contest. One among them saw a youngster who is gradually making huge strides at the top level, go up against one of his fellow state mates from Uttar Pradesh.

It was not the first occasion for the young Chinaman to bowl against his skipper at Uttar Pradesh, Suresh Raina, who is reckoned as a legend in this form of the game.

The affair has been on the even side so far between the two but this time Kuldeep got the better of Raina to get him caught at the long on boundary. He foxed the southpaw with his variation before getting rid of him on 31.

#3 MSD yet again shows his brilliance from behind the wicket

It was an eventful first over of the Kolkata’s innings as the drama unfolded at the start itself. After being hit for two consecutive sixes, Lungi Ngidi staged a comeback to give the home team first scar of the night.

The South African pacer pitched the ball short and made it difficult for Chris Lynn to make a soothing connect with the ball. On the ultimate delivery of the first over he was sent back to the hut.

However, the edge was faint and umpire failed to recognize it before MS Dhoni, once again made a witty decision to go for the review. And as it panned out, the ball clipped with his pads before taking the inside edge and reaching to Watson at the first slip.

#4 Shubman Gill’s promotion at Number 4 comes in handy for KKR

Chasing 178 against a lacklustre CSK bowling attack, it was necessary for the home team to seize things after the departure of Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa in the powerplay. They needed someone to string a partnership with Narine, who was going berserk at one end.

The responsibility was handed over to the young Indian U-19 star Shubman Gill, who relished batting at such a crucial spot for the team.

He was instrumental in taking things forward and kept things under control with few attacking shots before Dinesh Karthik arrived to seal a comfortable victory for the Knights. It was a valiant effort from the youngster who even paved his way to his maiden IPL fifty.

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