Even after 61 matches, no team has yet confirmed their qualification spot in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). In the second contest of the Sunday’s double header, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered an impressive 6-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chepauk and kept themselves alive in the exciting competition.
Batting first, CSK got off to a slow start with only Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway getting into double digits. Later, Shivam Dube played a brilliant knock of 48 runs off 34 balls, including three sixes, to help the Super Kings reach a total of 144/6 in their 20 overs. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy were the pick of the bowlers for KKR, picking up two wickets each.
In reply, KKR got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets in the powerplay. However, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh played superb innings to steady the ship. Rana scored 57 runs off 44 balls, including six fours and one six, while Singh scored 54 runs off 43 balls, including four fours and three sixes.
The duo shared a crucial partnership of 112 runs for the third wicket, which proved to be the difference between the two teams. Deepak Chahar was the only wicket taker for CSK, bagging three scalps in his three overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
A convincing chase and a special Knight in Chennai for @KKRiders 💜👏🏻
The @NitishRana_27-led #KKR are well and truly alive in the tournament 😎
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/d7m0BcEtvi #TATAIPL | #CSKvKKR pic.twitter.com/oZcq5Blj6G
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 14, 2023
A tough day in office. But we keep walking forward! 💪🏻#CSKvKKR #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/gFYsIC7vr4
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 14, 2023
A victory at Chepauk for @KKRiders! @rinkusingh235 and @NitishRana_27 were exceptional tonight. #IPL2023 #CSKvKKR
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) May 14, 2023
Incredible from #KKR. Defeating #CSK in Chennai is a difficult task but they achieved it. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine showed their class with the ball while Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh were so composed in the chase. Impressive win. #CSKvsKKR #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/8SsT8pOc8P
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 14, 2023
So many times, we slot players as finishers. Like Rinku Singh. But they are better than just that. Like Rinku Singh. We saw that with Samad too. Maybe we just end this classification?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 14, 2023
KKR ARE STILL ALIVE IN IPL 2023.
What a run chase in Chepauk, led by Rana & Rinku when Kolkata was 33 for 3. pic.twitter.com/heFpiUObaB
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 14, 2023
Rinku-Rana: 99 runs partnership! 🤏#CSKvKKR https://t.co/h844AZL7v4 pic.twitter.com/27CgZ1Eaid
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 14, 2023
Disappointing match for #CSK but this result makes the point table more interesting going into next week. #KKR used the conditions perfectly plus mature batting from Rinku & Rana are the prime reasons for this win . They are still alive #CSKvKKR
— dD@$h (@dashman207) May 14, 2023
First win vs MI since 2011
First defeat vs RR since 2009
First defeat vs PBKS since 2013
First defeat vs KKR since 2013#CSKvKKR— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) May 14, 2023
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by six wickets and nine ball to spare. #cricket #ipl2023 #CSKvsKKR https://t.co/QPed6Q7Akn #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/I6sTIZeRvq
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 14, 2023
During IPL 2023
RR, PBKS and KKR beat CSK at Chennai.Before IPL 2023
Only season RR beat CSK at Chennai – 2008
Only season PBKS beat CSK at Chennai – 2012
Only season KKR beat CSK at Chennai – 2012— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) May 14, 2023
Just invest more in these two with some patience they will be Backbone of our bowling attack very impressive death bowling by Vaibhav woww. @KKRiders pic.twitter.com/SLRX2vsTmV
— S H A H I D. (@Irfy_Pathaan56) May 14, 2023
Half-centuries from captain, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh take KKR home by 6 wickets with 9 balls to spare #CSKvsKKR
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) May 14, 2023