CSK vs KKR highlights: KKR began their IPL 2022 campaign with a convincing win over defending champions CSK. They outsmarted CSK in all departments to register the win. KKR bowlers were instrumental in keeping the CSK batters in check for much of the game before Dhoni unleashed a flurry of attack in the last three overs to take CSK to 131.
KKR started their chase steady losing Venkatesh Iyer after the powerplay was over. Despite losing wickets at odd intervals, they low target never put them under pressure as all their batsmen contributed to the chase with Ajinkya Rahane top scoring for them with 44. CSK lacked teeth in the bowling department and will have to go back to the drawing board now.
KKR register a comfortable win. It was their night all the way. They never looked in doubt right from the get-go. They were brilliant with the ball and were far superiorwith the bat too. CSK lacked bite in their batting, barring Dhoni's late blitz and surely missed the services of their top bowler Deepak Chahar. Perfect start for Shreyas Iyer and KKR.
Sam Billings falls with the target just a whisker away. Billings wanted to finish the match quickly and holed one out to Tushar at deep midwicket. It was a slower ball from Bravo and the wicket puts him level with Lasith Malinga for most wickets in the IPL.
Shreyas Iyer and Sam Billings continue to work in singles as they work their way towards the target. With just 34 required from 36 balls, they are in commanding position and it would require a monumental collapse from here on out to put any pressure on KKR. Score 98/3.
:Wicket!Rahane departs. Santner has his man. It was angling in and Rahane flicked it straight to the opposition captain at midwicket. KKR have now lost two quick wickets, but the target is well within sight to cause them any worry yet.
:Wicket!Bravo removes the dangerous Nitish Rana. It was a short ball that cramped Rana for room and he pulled it straight to Rayudu at short fine leg.Half the allotted overs are done and KKR are looking very much in command, much as they have been throughout this match. Chasing just 131, their openers negotiated thepowerplaywithoutlosing a wicket, beforeVenkateshIyerfell in the 7th over. Rana was looking in fine form too. In comes Shreyas Iyer.
:Iyer's wicket doesn't slow down KKR. Sent ahead of Iyer, Rana has started just what the doctor ordered. He is taking apart the CSK bowlers. The over also saw Dhoni miss a regulation ball, which trotted away to the boundary. Score: 59/1.
Venkatesh Iyer falls. Iyer swings, but bravo takes the ball slightly away and it takes a leading edge and is quite gladly taken by Dhoni. Venkatesh falls for 16. KKR 43/1. In comes Nitish Rana.
:Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane are slowly chipping away at the target, without any real danger from the CSK bowlers. With just 131 to defend, CSK are lacking the teeth in their bowling. Barring a couple of near chances, they haven't been able to threaten either of the KKR openers. Score: 35/0.
: CSK are missing Deepak Chahar very much. He has been the leading wicket-taker in the power-play with 42 wickets. The next best is 27. Deepak was CSK's most expensive buy and his absence due to injury has been a heavy blow to the defending champions. They are without Josh Hazlewood too, who was brilliant last year. Both openers are holding steady for KKR and will be looking for the right opportunity to step up their pace. Score: 15/0.
: KKR aren't off to a flier, but they know they don't have a steep target to chase. They are taking their time to settle in and it seems to be the right way to go about the innings, considering the collapse that CSK had at the start of their innings. Score 8/0.
After doing well to restrict CSK to just 131, KKR will be hoping to finish things off without too many hiccups. They will also want both the Iyers to fire. The pitch seems to have plenty for the fast bowlers, especially in the first half of the innings. It is game on!
After a shaky and uncharacteristic start to their IPL 2022 campaign, CSK post 131on the board, thanks to their former captain MS Dhoni. After scoring 15 off 25 balls, he accelerated to 50 off just 38, scoring ihs last 35 runs off just 13 balls. 131 looked a distant dream at one time, but Dhoni did well in the last three overs to take CSK to a respectable total. It is still below the par score and they would wish they had about 20 more runs on board. Shreyas has been brilliant in his captaincy and will now have to lead the team from the front with the bat. Back soon for the chase.
