New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders intense pulsed light Campaign takes another hit chennai super kings They lost by 32 points in a tricky, two-pace game. Chasing 193, KKR never really took control and ended up with 160/7. The defeat exposed issues with their batting approach and overall planning, with the team now losing four of their first five games.
KKR’s batting falters under pressure
KKR’s chase started poorly and kept slipping away as wickets fell in droves. Noor Ahmed KKR fell from 79/2 to 90/6 with a brilliant spell that turned the tide of the match, removing key batsmen including Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh and Cameron Green. Akhil Hussain also kept his nerve, adding to the pressure.Rahane (28 off 22) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (27 off 19) added 50-run stands but their slow approach hurt the chase, especially on a pitch where scoring is not easy. Early strikes from Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed, replacing Finn Allen and Sunil Narine, further dented KKR’s hopes.Rovman Powell (31 off 22) and Ramandeep Singh (35 off 23) tried to fight back with a late partnership, but by then the pace required had climbed too high.
CSK builds, then controls the game
Earlier, CSK posted a brilliant start of 72/2 in the powerplay with Sanju Samson (48 off 32) and Ayush Mhatre (38 off 17). Mhat’s aggressive knocks, including two sixes and a “Kapil Dev-esque Nataraja knock” provided the early impetus.After the powerplay, KKR’s spinners Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy and Varun Chakravarthy were effectively slowed down, conceding just 68 runs in 10 overs. Kartik Tyagi also impressed with his pace and variety at the death.Dewald Brevis (41 off 29) and Sarfaraz Khan (23 off 18) ensured CSK reached a competitive total of 192/5.CSK’s balance of bat and ball proved too strong, while KKR’s outdated batting approach and poor execution cost them dearly.
