Gill, Karthik star in KKR’s six-wicket win over CSK
kolkata — Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
Captain Dinesh Karthik, who had won the toss and elected to field, played a vital innings of 45 from 18 balls which turned the match in KKR’s favour. The wicketkeeper batsman clubbed seven fours and a six during his innings. Giving him company to cross the finish line was hero of the Under-19 World Cup final Shubman Gill who remained unbeaten on 57 from 36 balls with six fours and two sixes as KKR posted an impor- tant win to move up to 10 points along with Kings XI Punjab.
Despite the defeat Chennai continued to top the IPL standings with 12 points.
Dhoni retained the same squad, while KKR’s injured Nitish Rana was replaced by Rinku Singh.
Earlier, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (43 not out in 25 balls) continued his good form with the bat to help Chennai Super Kings post a challenging 177 for 5 Skipper Dhoni — who was dropped by Shubman Gill on 29 — started the fireworks with a pull over midwicket off young pacer Shivam Mavi (0/21) for a six. In the next over, India’s 50-over and T20 World Cup winning captain swatted out-of-sorts Mitchell Johnson (0/51) for a flat six to set the tone for another of his vintage knocks. Dhoni’s innings was laced with four sixes and one four.
Gill made matters worse for the hosts when the U-19 World Cup winning batsman let the ball burst through his fingers at the square leg fence with the ball going for a six.
Dhoni finished proceedings with a four off Piyush Chawla (2/35) in the last ball of the final over but lacked that flourish which he has shown in his previous few innings.
Along with Ravindra Jadeja (12), he stitched together a 54-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, returning figures of 2/20 in four overs.
The atmosphere was electric inside the stadium as well as outside, with much of the fanfare around the CSK side and their iconic skipper Dhoni.
A sea of yellow engulfed parts of the Eden as every boundary was cheered vociferously, giving a feeling of it being an away match for KKR.
Faf Du Plessis (27; 15b 4x4 1x6) and Watson (36; 25b 4x4 2x6) got off to a good start, helping CSK race to 48/0 in five overs. — Agencies