CSK turn up rusty for KKR's experiments

Led by Rahul Tripathi's fifth IPL fifty (51-ball 81) and some tight bowling in the death overs, Kolkata Knight Riders registered their third win of the season, beating Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday (October 7).

CSK fail to close out

Ravindra Jadeja may have finished Chennai Super Kings' innings with 6-4-4 but the most experienced setup of the tournament came short against some canny death bowling by Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. Having posted 90 for 1 at the half-way stage, CSK needed only 78 in the last 10. However, for a period of 9.3 overs from thereon, they managed only 53 runs. Barring the 16th over by Narine, where he was hit for a boundary and a six - conceding 15 runs - in none of the other overs from 11th to 19th did they manage to score more than run-a-ball. The spinners were aided with the pitch getting slower and a rusty Kedar Jadhav struggled against Russell's short-pitched ploy. Off 12 deliveries each, Dhoni managed 11 and Jadhav only 7. As a result, the explosive batting of Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja at the other end went in vain

Who powered the start for CSK?

For the second game in a row, Shane Watson came good and registered a fifty. The veteran Australian, who was watchful to begin with, took the explosive route against Shivam Mavi - carting him for a couple of boundaries in the second over and following it up with similar treatment in the sixth. Without going extra aggressive and largely turning over the strike after hitting a boundary every over, he - along with Faf du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu - helped CSK to 54 for 1 in the powerplay. The rate of 9 an over sustained till the 10th over the innings, soon after which he was trapped legbefore by Narine.

The Narine experiment

It was a day when Kolkata Knight Riders made a lot of radical changes to their predictable plans, especially with regards to Narine. In the bowling plans, he wasn't brought on till the 12th over of CSK's chase even as he had fairly successful returns against Watson and Rayudu - who combined to stitch a 69-run partnership in 8.3 overs. The option to hold him back and use him as a defensive option worked well though as he returned with figures of 1 for 31, having not allowed the CSK batters to break free adequately.

Who helped KKR reach 167?

Almost half the runs were scored by Rahul Tripathi, who was sent out to open the innings, breaking away from the trend of opening with Narine. He enjoyed his fair share of luck, surviving four attempts of run out, thrice chancing the arm of Jadeja. However, he rode on it well. Even as five batsmen got out in his company, without making significant contributions, he batted on till the 17th over, hitting eight fours and two sixes before. Even as it wasn't an explosive innings, he did manage to dominate Deepak Chahar, who finished with his most expensive spell in IPL, conceding 47 runs.

How did the other CSK bowlers fare well?

Everyone else was impressive. In fact, barring Dwayne Bravo, none of the other bowlers conceded more than 7-an-over. Karn Sharma, Shardul Thakur and Sam Curran all returned a brace each. The death specialist, however, made up for his comparatively expensive figures by taking three late wickets. KKR's much-famed middle order failed to make an impact - Morgan 10-ball 7, Russell 4-ball 2, Karthik 11-ball 12 - and despite all the depth in the batting, they were bowled out. As many as six batters fell for single-digit scores. With the five bowlers operating keeping the scoring tight, Dhoni didn't even have to employ Jadeja's bowling.

Did KKR's experiments work?

It was the first since 2015 that KKR had chosen to bat. They also did away with the experiment of opening with Narine. However, in another bizarre move, they opted to use him as a No 4 batter - sending him out in the 11th over - ahead of Russell, Narine and Karthik. He did manage to swing his bat around for a 9-ball 17 - the joint second highest score of the innings - before getting caught in the deep courtesy a fine effort from Jadeja who relayed the catch to Faf du Plessis. It remains to be seen if it was only a temporary arrangement but, the Narine experiments - with bat and ball - bore good results for him as well as the team in the match.

Where do they head from here?

CSK, with only two wins in six games, will now leave for Dubai to face Royal Challengers Bangalore on October 10. KKR, meanwhile, will continue their stay in Abu Dhabi, where they will face Kings XI Punjab on the same double-header Saturday.

Brief Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 167 all out in 20 overs (Rahul Tripathi 81; Dwayne Bravo 3-37, Karn Sharma 2-25) beat Chennai Super Kings 157/5 in 20 overs (Shane Watson 50, Ambati Rayudu 30; Andre Russell 1-18, Kamlesh Nagarkoti 1-21) by 10 runs