Ajinkya Rahane played a brilliant knock of 44 runs to help KKR chase down the moderate target of 132 runs against CSK in the IPL 2022 opener with ease.
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Ajinkya Rahane (44) played with freedom at the top of the order to help KKR chase down the moderate target of 132 runs against CSK with nine ball to spare in the IPL 2022 opener at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. KKR thus got off in the mark in IPL 2022 with a six-wicket comprehensive victory.
Chasing the target, Rahane and his fellow opener Venkatesh Iyer (16) forged a 43-run opening stand before the latter was sent packing. However, unperturbed, by the dismissal Rahane continued to pile runs for KKR and was helped on with crucial cameos from Nitish Rana (21), Sam Billings (25) and Shreyas Iyer (20 not out).
Rahane hit six boundaries and one hit over the top in his stay of 34 deliveries. But the KKR middle-order batter — Rana, Billings and Iyer — were continue to carry on the momentum after his dismissal.
The KKR captain, meanwhile, hit Kiwi fast bowler Adam Milne for a boundary in the third ball of the 19th over to seal the deal for his side.
Veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who has been an asset for CSK over the years was the pick of the bowlers as he ran through the KKR top-order to return figures of 3/20.
CSK’s Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner, meanwhile, scalped a wicket.
READ MORE: IPL 2022: Chennai Super Kings – Squad And Player Analysis, Strengths and Weakness
Earlier, MS Dhoni (50 not out) and captain Ravindra Jadeja (26 not out) fought back towards to guide CSK to 131/5 after a fine display by KKR bowlers to restrict them to a moderate total.
Asked to bat, CSK lost their newly formed opening pair Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) and Devon Conway (3) cheaply before veteran top-order batter Robin Uthappa (28) chipped in with an important cameo.
Uthappa, however, failed to convert his start to a big total as even Ambati Rayudu (15) was run out after getting to a decent start by hitting one four and as many six in his 17-ball stay.
CSK looked out of sorts as they continued to lose wickets on both ends. However, Dhoni and Jadeja, resurrected the sinking CSK ship 61/5 to 131/5 with their brilliant cameo knocks.
Dhoni started his innings slowly by scoring only nine runs off 17 deliveries. He later took charge of the innings and seven boundaries and one six in his knock off 38 deliveries. The new CSK captain, meanwhile, smashed one six in his cautious 28-ball knock.
India fast bowler Umesh Yadav maintained a controlled line from the starting of the CSK innings to pick up two wickets for 20 runs in his stipulated four overs. He was the pick of the bowlers for KKR.
