The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai witnessed a rare batting collapse from the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, as they were outplayed by the Kolkata Knight Riders in a one-sided contest. Batting first after KKR opted to bowl, CSK could only manage a below-par 103/9 in 20 overs, which was chased down with ease by KKR in just 10.1 overs.
So, what exactly went wrong for the five-time IPL champions?
Foul start sets the tone for collapse
CSK’s innings got off to a poor start with Rachin Ravindra (4 off 9) and Devon Conway (12 off 11) falling early, providing no momentum in the powerplay. The early jolts meant CSK were immediately on the back foot, and runs dried up with dot balls piling up.
Poor partnerships throughout the innings
There was a complete lack of meaningful partnerships. The middle order failed to stitch together any stability, and the side kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The pressure mounted as none of the batters could absorb KKR’s disciplined bowling attack.
Middle order meltdown
Rahane, Tripathi, and Vijay Shankar tried to anchor the innings but none could convert their starts. Shivam Dube was the lone standout, scoring 31* off 29 balls. However, with little support, even his efforts couldn’t take CSK beyond 103.
Lower order crumbled under pressure
The lower middle order disintegrated completely. Dhoni, brought in at a crucial stage, was dismissed for just 1. Ashwin also managed only 1, while both Ravindra Jadeja and Deepak Hooda were dismissed for ducks. Noor Ahmad and Anshul Kamboj added a couple of runs, but it was too little too late.
KKR bowlers dominated
KKR’s spin duo—Sunil Narine (3/13) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/22)—choked CSK in the middle overs. Harshit Rana (2/16) and Moeen (1/20) also ensured that the pressure never eased.
The batting failure was so complete that the target was never going to trouble KKR. Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine gave the visitors a flying start, and the chase was wrapped up inside 11 overs, handing CSK a crushing defeat by 8 wickets.
With this loss, questions will surely be raised around CSK’s middle-order composition and the tactical decisions taken after losing early wickets.
