MUMBAI, India– Veteran Dwayne Bravo’s three-wicket haul went in vain as Chennai Super Kings failed to defend a modest total and crashed to a six-wicket loss to Andre Russell’s Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of Indian Premier League here Saturday.
Sent in at the Wankhede, CSK managed only 133 for four off their 20 overs, with legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni top-scoring with an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls, Robin Uthappa getting 50, and Ravindra Jadeja, 26 not out.
In reply, KKR were never in trouble and coasted to their target with nine deliveries to spare, with opener Ajinkya Rahane top-scoring with 44 from 34 balls and Sam Billings getting 25.
On Saturday, Dwayne Bravo celebrates a wicket during Chennai Super Kings’ defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders. (Photo courtesy IPL Media)
Bravo claimed three for 20 from four miserly overs, but his effort could not prevent KKR from getting the opening win of the new season.
CSK found themselves in early trouble when seamer Umesh Yadav (2-20) removed both openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) and Devon Conway (3) cheaply.
And by the time pacer Russell had Shivam Dube (3) holing out to West Indies teammate Sunil Narine at mid-wicket in the 11th overs, the innings was in turmoil at 61 for five.
However, Dhoni took charge, lashing seven fours and a six in a 70-run, unbroken sixth-wicket partnership with Jadeja, who struck a single six in a patient 28-ball knock.
Off-spinner Narine, who has not featured for West Indies in nearly three years, failed to take a wicket but conceded only 15 runs from four stingy overs.
With a relatively easy run chase, Rahane set the tone for KKR, stroking half-dozen fours and a six to engineer a 43-run, first wicket stand with Venkatesh Iyer (16) and a 33-run, second-wicket partnership Nitish Rana (21).
Rahane eventually clipped left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner to mid-wicket to depart in the 12th over. Still, Billings and captain Shreyas Iyer (20 not out) combined in a stand of 36 for the fourth wicket to all but assure KKR of victory.
Bravo, Russell and Narine are three of several West Indian stars expected to ply their trade in the mega-rich league.
West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard is again set to play another season for Mumbai Indians. At the same time, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, and Shimron Hetmyer landed million-dollar contracts in last month’s auction.
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