IPL 2023: CSK vs KKR | Kolkata restricts Chennai to a modest total

Indian Premier League 2023: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai

Talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision to drop down the order backfired as Chennai Super Kings lost wickets at regular intervals to be restricted to a modest 144 for six by Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL match here on Sunday.

Dhoni, who came out to bat no.7 position, remained unbeaten on 2 off 3 balls.

Opting to bat, CSK were 72 for five in in the 11th over before Shivam Dube underlined his utility, hammering a 34-ball 48 (1x4, 3x6s) to help the hosts somewhat recuperate in the company of Ravindra Jadeja (20 off 24).

The duo shared 68-run stand for the sixth wicket to take CSK close to the 150-run mark, which at one point of time looked out of reach on a sluggish pitch.

Spin duo of Sunil Narine (2/15) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/36) were the pick of the bowlers for KKR and they were ably supported by Shardul Thakur (3-0-15-1) did and Vaibhav Arora (1/30). CSK were 99 for five after 16 overs as KKR bowlers, especially the spinners, kept things tight and struck at regular intervals.

Overs 17 and 18 bowled by leg-spinner Suyash Sharma and Chakravarthy yielded 16 and 15 runs respectively as Dube led CSK's fightback.

Narine and Chakravarthy did the damage in the middle of the innings before Dube and Jadeja launched a fightback.