Runners-up from the previous season Kolkata Knight Riders posted a comprehensive six-wicket win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 Indian Premier League opener.
A tight bowling display from the Knight Riders followed by a composed run chase led by ousted Indian middle-order veteran Ajinkya Rahane helped them claim the first win of the season. Chennai’s batting disappointed, as none of the batsmen could make that much of an impact, apart from the legendary MS Dhoni, whose unbeaten half-century was a stern statement to all those who thought his time was up.
The Knight Riders opted not to retain or buy back their captain from last season Eoin Morgan, who had led them to the final, and replaced him with Shreyas Iyer. The change in the CSK camp was much more emotional, as ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni passed over the baton to veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who walked out as Chennai skipper for the very first time.
Dhoni has led the Super Kings in each of their 13 seasons so far, taking them to four titles, and an astounding nine finals. Under his leadership, Chennai have failed to qualify only once in their history, in 2020, under extremely trying circumstances. However, in the most Dhoni way possible, the great man announced his decision through an official franchise statement that informed the fans about the change of guard but reassured fans that the legend will continue to play for the Yellow army in this season and ‘beyond’.
Iyer won the toss in his first game as KKR skipper and decided to take the field. He felt that the Wankhede wicket was a brilliant one to bat on and thought that his side could take advantage of the dew later in the night during their batting innings. His decision turned out to be a great one, as veteran speedster Umesh Yadav got rid of the current Orange Cap holder Ruturaj Gaikwad for a four-ball duck in the very first over.
Robin Uthappa, who came in at number three, was looking really good, as he scored a couple of boundaries early on in his innings. Devon Conway’s uncomfortable innings came to a forgettable end as he chipped an Umesh Yadav delivery straight to mid-on, walking back for a score of just three runs in eight balls.
In at number four, it seemed as if stalwarts Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu could actually rescue the Chennai innings, but that dream was quite short-lived as some good spin bowling, and even better glovework from Sheldon Jackson spelt the end for Uthappa. The next three overs yielded only nine runs, but Chennai lost two more wickets as Rayudu and Dube trudged back to the pavilion. It was an almost poetic rest of the innings for the Super Kings, as Dhoni and present skipper Jadeja joined hands, putting on 70 for the final wicket.
It was a very slow start for both batsmen, but it was actually Dhoni who was able to provide some acceleration towards the end as he scored an unbeaten half-century, as he brought the score, which looked like it would not breach the three-figure mark at one point to a total that gave Chennai an outside chance of winning the game, something they have been doing for a long time.
However, that was not to be as the Knight Riders got off to a solid start courtesy of Rahane, who was hitting the ball very sweetly. He got a barrage of boundaries early on in the innings as KKR reached 40 at the end of the powerplay, which was also the end of Venkatesh Iyer, who departed for a run-a-ball 16.
Rahane and number three batsman Nitish Rana killed the game as a contest as the Knight Riders were 76/2 in nine overs at the time of Rana’s dismissal. Rahane also made it back to the pavilion shortly, but the veteran had done his job, scoring 44 in 34, as he took the game away from the bowlers early in the innings.
Dwayne Bravo got his third wicket of the innings towards the end of the game as he dismissed Sam Billings for 23, with ten runs remaining for the Knight Riders to get. Iyer finished off the game in fine fashion as he scored a boundary to end proceedings, as his men posted a commanding victory in his first assignment as KKR captain.
Yadav’s terrific spell earned him the man of the match award as KKR registered the first win of the new campaign. CSK will not be too disappointed with the loss early on, but will be delighted that MS Dhoni was able to do well. With Moeen Ali yet to arrive, they will be confident in their ability to bounce back from the loss.
Brief scores
Chennai Super Kings – 131/5 in 20 overs (MS Dhoni 50*; Uthappa 28; Yadav 2/20) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders – 133/4 in 18.3 overs (Rahane 44; Billings 25; Bravo 3/20)
