Chennai Super Kings (CSK) leg-spinner Imran Tahir returned with four wickets to contain Kolkata Knight Riders for 161 runs in match 29 of 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Meanwhile, after winning the toss, Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni opted to field first at the Eden Gardens Kolkata. They picked the same XI that played in the last game while Kolkata Knight Riders made three changes going into this game. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine have returned, while Harry Gurney has replaced Lockie Ferguson.
Kolkata Knight Riders once again tinkered with the batting order – bringing the old Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn at the top. Lynn didn’t waste any time as he took Deepak Chahar right from the start. The pacer gave away 22 runs in his first two overs and it was some good hitting from Lynn. But Mitchell Santner struck in the fifth over of the game getting the better of Sunil Narine. The revamped opener who didn’t get much of the strike looked to hit Mitchell Santner out of the ground mistimes and holes out to Faf du Plessis at long on.
Tahir leads the charge for Chennai
Since the departure of Sunil Narine, Chennai Super Kings bowlers did a good job to contain the destructive Kolkata Knight Riders batters. However, that didn’t deter Chris Lynn from bringing his half-century with a single to reach 71 for one at the end of the ninth over. Chennai was in need of an extra pacer but MS Dhoni worked his spinners very as Imran Tahir brought the second breakthrough dismissing Nitish Rana.
Robin Uthappa followed the suit soon for a duck giving Tahir his second victim while Chris Lynn came hard at the bowlers. However, the veteran South African leg-spinner kept up the good work to dismiss the dangerous looking Lynn (82) and Andre Russell to help Chennai Super Kings nod ahead in the game. Tahir finished his quota for four for 27 while others also chipped in with significant contributions as the Kolkata Knight Riders batters couldn’t get away with boundaries and managed to post only 161 runs at the end of 20 overs.
Twitter Reactions:
Imran Tahir ? @ImranTahirSA pic.twitter.com/pqXgVI1q2l
— Jay (@jaychauhan07) April 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/tiwarymanoj/status/1117388645051199488
https://twitter.com/RDevnarayan/status/1117393925847834626
When Narine has made a mockery when spinners are put up against him in the powerplay. How do CSK find a way to always get him out using spinners ? @aayushputhran
— Ashwin Kumar (@Ashwinachu01) April 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/pradhumn_pratap/status/1117394087756222464
Oh #KKR, looking good. What's the rush! Needed Russell in the last 3 overs
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/MOHIT_BUCHOLI/status/1117376232281128960
https://twitter.com/CommonMan2050/status/1117394429457784832
Tahir takes Andre moment of the match #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/7GlTFsaeri
— Phani madhav (@Phanimadhav12) April 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/laddhaadi/status/1117376483310354433
MY POOR HEART HAS EXPLODED I'M DEAD KAYBYE YAAAAY ❤?❤?#KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/d7LxOhuRAv
— ? (@thecrackpot_) April 14, 2019
Imran Tahir picks up his 4th wicket (4-19) and the big ones of Chris Lynne, for 82 and #DreRuss for 10! Champion bowler! KKR 132-5 #IPL2019 #KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/g9PvZBFVTp
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) April 14, 2019
ட்ரீம்11#KKRvCSK pic.twitter.com/kapGKDXnPD
— AnaND (@ItzAnand_) April 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/greatsmriti/status/1117393798084980737
https://twitter.com/graphicalcomic/status/1117397494852456450