CSK vs KKR: 5 reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders lost
The fifth match of IPL 2018 was a repeat of the final of 2012. M.S Dhoni-led Chennai Superkings took on the young Kolkata side led by Dinesh Karthik.
As has been the trend in this year’s IPL, CSK won the toss and elected to field first. Kolkata managed to amass 64 runs of the powerplay overs but in the process lost the crucial wickets of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine.
Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter and KKR were reduced to 89/5 at one point. However, some belligerent hitting by Andre Russell ensured that KKR would post the first 200+ score of this IPL.
Chasing a stiff target of 203, Chennai’s openers came out all guns blazing and posted an excellent score of 75 after the powerplay overs.
However, it all went downhill from there as Kolkata’s mystery spinners exercised total control. Victory looked highly unlikely for CSK but Sam Billings had different plans.
In an absolute humdinger of a contest, CSK came home with a ball to spare. Let us have a look at the five reasons why the Kolkata Knight Riders lost the contest.
#1 Openers flatter to deceive
Lynn and Narine have formed a formidable opening partnership for KKR in recent games. Both got off to a reasonable start today with Narine smashing two sixes in the first over itself.
However, he would depart soon after to an ugly hoick off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh. Lynn too played some fine strokes but was out attempting a wild swing across the line of the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
KKR are heavily dependent on these two as they lack in power hitters down the order. They need to be more responsible with their strokes. This all or nothing approach may not work every day.