The recently-concluded game between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was a special one, not only for the hosts but also for Dinesh Karthik.
While Super Kings returned to their home ground after two years, Karthik was leading Knight Riders in front of his home fans. But in the end, Super Kings had the last laugh.
The home side defeated the visitors by five wickets in an absolute thriller. Chasing 203, Super Kings had their back against the wall.
However, Sam Billings’s 23-ball 56 runs knock changed the course of the game. With 17 runs needed off the last over, Vinay Kumar started the proceedings with a no-ball which was hit for a six by Dwayne Bravo.
The equation was finally down to four from 2, and Ravindra Jadeja sealed the deal with a maximum.
Speaking after the game, Karthik lauded the Chennai Super Kings fans for the way they supported their team.
He also lavished praise on Andre Russell who scored 88 not out off just 36 balls with the help of 11 sixes.
“CSK is coming back after two years, and we were expecting that (support). Hats off to them. They played a good game. Hats of to Andre. He put is in a great position. These things happen in T20 cricket,” Karthik said.
He further urged his team to accept the defeat and move forward.
“You gotta keep your chin up and keep moving forward. In T20s, you are going to lose some games. It’s important to take the positives. In the next games, we shouldn’t repeat the same mistakes. We are playing SRH at home; two good teams and it’s going to be a good match for sure,” he added.
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