KKR loses to CSK by six wickets

Our Correspondent

Young Ruturaj Gaekwad guided Chennai Super Kings to a six-wicket victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on October 29. With nothing to lose, CSK played a confident game after winning the toss.

Chasing a challenging target of 173 set by KKR, Ruturaj top-scored again and claimed 72 runs off 53 balls. He had a fruitful second wicket partnership with Ambati Rayudu (38 off 20 balls). Another hero was Ravindra Jadeja who shone in the final two overs – when 10 runs were required off the last over – to score an unbeaten 31 off 11 balls (with three sixes) and guide CSK to victory.

KKR’s play-off chances are in peril now as they have only 12 points from 13 matches.

Earlier, after being sent to bat, KKR scored 172 for the loss of five wickets. Nitish Rana’s majestic 87 (10 fours, four sixes) was the hallmark of the innings.

For CSK, Lungi Ngidi (2/34) who claimed the wickets of Rana in the 18th over and then skipper Eoin Morgan (15) in the final over, was brilliant. Mitchell Santner (1/30), Ravindra Jadeja (1/20) and Karn Sharma (1/35) picked one wicket each.

CSK made three changes to their side – Shane Watson, Lungi Ngidi, Karn Sharma came in place of Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, and Monu Kumar. KKR replaced Rinku Singh with Prasidh Krishna.