KKR gifts victory to CSK

KKR snatched a defeat from the jaws of victory, as they self destructed after Robin Uthappa had given the chase a quickfire start. At once stage it looked as if Gambhir’s surprising decision to field first after winning the toss was a masterstroke, but KKR slumped from a comfortable 52/1 in 5 overs to 132/9 in 20 overs, falling short of CSK’s total by 2 runs.It was the spinners, especially Ashwin, who turned the game on its head choking the batsmen and driving them to play loose shots.

The CSK openers, as usual, gave their team a flying start to put on 42 in 4.4 overs.before McCullum once again fell to a leg spiiner, Piyush Chawla this time.Dwayne Smith looked set to spend some time in the middle playing a steady innings but was run out by a direct him from Pathan.That wicket triggered a mini collapse as CSK went from 64/1 to 88/5.Brad Hogg and Pat Cummins bowled outstandingly to stiffle the run scoring, while Russell and Piyush Chawla took two wickets each.Even with Du Plessis staying at the crease till the end, CSK could only manage 134 in 20 overs.

KKR had the worst possible start, losing skipper Gambhir in the first over itself to Ishwar Pandey. Robin Uthappa decided to take on the bowling hitting the pace bowlers out of the attack.He was in sensational touch, but once again failed to build on a good start falling to the first ball he faced from Ashwin.Still KKR were in a commanding position to chase down the low total.The batsmen however gifted their wickets, after inviting pressure playing a number of dot balls. The spinners bowled well, but there was hardly any rotation of strike which sent the required run rate higher up,Danger man Andre Russell was run out and though Ryan Ten Doeschate made a late charge, CSK came out on top, as they do usually in these close matches.Dwayne bravo took three wickets but the star was Ashwin who took two wickets in the two overs he bowled, before he was forced out with injury.