After two successive away defeats, Chennai Super Kings enjoyed home comforts at Chepauk to overcome Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets. And standing tall in their third win of the season, which puts them at third spot on the table was Ravindra Jadeja, whose spell of 4-0-18-3 proved to be the game changer.
Walk in the park
There was some turn on offer. And there were deliveries that were keeping a tad low as well. All of it would have made Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Anukul Roy excited. Even Mitchell Starc would have got some help if he banged slow deliveries into the pitch. But with just 137 to defend, it was always going to be a tall order against a line-up that bats deep. For Kolkata to stall Chennai’s chase, they needed wickets in the powerplay.
But sans any scoreboard pressure, Chennai in need of wresting back the momentum they lost — in away matches to Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad – played safely. Of course, Rachin Ravindra ensured they got a quickfire start once again before departing in the fourth over as Chennai had 52 by the end of the powerplay. From there on, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell paced their innings by rotating the strike regularly and finding the odd boundary here and there. That Gaikwad got to his first fifty of the season off his 45th delivery showed, how Chennai shelved intent for a change.
It was perhaps the need of the hour as well. Though he has appeared in good touch, Gaikwad’s lack of intent was beginning to be a concern for Chennai. With the required run-rate under control, he took time to get some runs behind his back, which would definitely add to his confidence before they go on the road again to face Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants.
Mitchell departed against the run of play before Shivam Dube arrived and landed the finishing blows, including three sixes in his trademark style as Chennai ensured their fortress remained intact.