CSK Endure Fifth Consecutive Loss as KKR Triumph by Eight Wickets at Chepauk

On Friday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a decimating eight-wicket loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the first time in the rich Indian Premier League (IPL) history of the team led by MS Dhoni that the side had lost three straight games at their legendary Chepauk home stadium.

The loss was another disappointing batting effort by the five-time champions, who were comprehensively outplayed by a well-prepared KKR team, and suffered their fifth straight defeat of the season.

The loss came in a game where Dhoni assumed captaincy responsibilities after the regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad had been ruled out for the remainder of the IPL with an injury.

Dhoni, however, had a rare batting failure, making a mere one run off four deliveries before being caught in the 16th over at number nine.

Set to bat first, CSK were well and truly off target, scoring a paltry 103 for 9, their lowest score ever at Chepauk. Their score also ended up as the third-lowest in IPL history and lowest in the ongoing season. KKR did not waste much time in chasing the score, getting the task done in only 10.1 overs, with opener Sunil Narine blasting a destructive 44 from 18 deliveries, two of which were maidens and five were sixes.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane scored a steady 20* off 17 balls, whereas Quinton de Kock made 23 runs. Rinku Singh too stayed not out at 15 off 12 balls.

Narine was hostile right from the beginning, sending Khaleel Ahmed for a six in the first over, and de Kock did the same against Anshul Kamboj. Narine just went on the attack, thrashing former India spinner R. Ashwin for a six and a four in the fourth over.

De Kock got out in the fifth over, but thanks to Rahane's presence, CSK were kept on their toes, with KKR achieving 71 for 1 in the powerplay. Requiring 33 runs in the remaining overs after the powerplay, KKR lost Narine in the eighth over but found it relatively easy to chase the target. Rinku Singh completed the victory with a six from Ravindra Jadeja in the 11th over.

Earlier, KKR's bowlers had a show of dominance, with Narine taking three wickets for 13 runs, while Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy took two each. CSK's batting was abysmal, managing only nine boundaries (four or six) in their entire innings.

Shivam Dube scored the most for CSK with an unbeaten 31 off 29 balls, while Vijay Shankar scored 29 after a bit of a lucky knock. Only two other CSK batsmen scored in double figures.

CSK's powerplay woes continued, as they struggled to 31 for 2, the second-lowest by any side in the first six overs this season. They were lucky not to have been in a worse state, courtesy Shankar's 13 off the sixth over, including two consecutive fours off Chakaravarthy.

Moeen Ali got Devon Conway (12) in the fourth over, whereas Rana got rid of Rachin Ravindra (4) in the fifth. The home side could have lost three wickets in the powerplay had Narine not dropped a routine catch off Shankar at mid-off.

Shankar's luck also expired in the 10th over when he was caught by Moeen as CSK reached 61 for 3 at the midpoint. Wickets kept falling quickly with struggling Rahul Tripathi (22) bowled out by Narine, Ravichandran Ashwin eliminated for a mere one from seven balls, and Ravindra Jadeja (0) staying for just two balls. CSK were in disarray by then at 71 for 6.

After Deepak Hooda (0) was dismissed in the next over, Dhoni came to bat with CSK at 72 for 7 in the 14.2 over. With little left to salvage, Dhoni’s LBW dismissal to Narine further deflated the home side. Despite a review that suggested there might have been an edge, the decision stood, leaving the Chepauk crowd in stunned silence.

CSK did reach the 100-run mark, courtesy mostly of Dube's resistance, but it came a bit too late to revive the game.