The defending champions Chennai Super Kings lost to last season’s runner up Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in the opening match of the IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.
Ajinkya Rahane played a crucial knock of 44 runs for his new side. He along with Nitish Rana took KKR’s score past 70 runs to make sure that they help their side get close to the target.
Earlier, a brilliant bowling performance by Umesh Yadav (2/20) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/23) helped KKR restrict CSK to 131-5 despite a fighting fifty by former captain MS Dhoni (50 off 38). Put into bat first, CSK were off to a bad start as KKR pacer Umesh removed Ruturaj Gaikwad for a duck in the very first over of the innings.
But Ravindra Jadeja (26*) and MS Dhoni (50*) did a brilliant job to resurrect Chennai’s innings after early blows.
Umesh Yadav claims the Player of the Match award for his 2/20 in four overs.
CSK will now be facing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on March 31 while KKR will play against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on March 30.