IPL 2018: CSK vs KKR - 5 Turning Points

After a gap of two years, Chennai Super Kings returned to their fortress MA Chidambaram stadium, for their match against Kolkata Knight Riders. While the turnout wasn’t as good as expected due to the ongoing Cauvery protests, those who turned up witnessed yet another thriller.

The fate of the fifth game went the same way like the previous four games in the IPL. The team that wins the toss and elects to bowl, goes on to win the game. More than 400 runs were scored in 40 overs and 31 sixes were hit as the home team successfully chased down the score on the penultimate delivery.

While the game was a definite hit among the fans, here’s a look at the players who were a hit and who were a miss.

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#5 Dwayne Bravo’s bowling at the death

KKR were 89/5 at the end of the 10 over when Andre Russell walked in to bat. After 15 overs, KKR were 123/5 and were looking to get around 160-170. Bravo, who’s exceptional at the death overs, had an off day and was taken to the cleaners by Russell.

Bravo gave away 50 runs from the three overs he bowled. While CSK would expect better performances from their specialist in the remainder of the tournament, it is safe to say that Bravo had an off day and Russell got the better off him.

The saving grace for Bravo was scoring 11 runs from 5 balls and seeing CSK through once again.

#4 Andre Russell's free-flowing knock

Andre Russell showcased some serious talent in the middle (Image: FB/KKR)

The scoreboard was 89/5 when Andre Russell came to bat. After rotating the strike and maintaining a steady partnership with Dinesh Karthik for a few overs, Russell unleashed his batting prowess in the death overs. With 11 huge sixes and a boundary, Russell made an unbeaten 88 from just 36 balls.

While on any other day, his performance with the bat would have gotten him the man of the match award, CSK’s team effort denied him the accolade.

The good news for KKR fans is that Russell, who is recuperating from an injury, seems to be getting back into the groove. KKR would hope that Russell can deliver in the same way in the coming fixtures.

#3 CSK's opening partnership

The duo scored 75 runs from 35 balls for the first wicket (Image: FB/CSK)

In order to chase 203, you need to maximise in the first six overs. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu did exactly what was required. The duo posted 75 runs on the board in the powerplay.

Watson, before being dismissed on the penultimate ball of the sixth over, made 42 runs from 19 balls. He scored three fours and three sixes in his cameo.

Rayudu, on the other hand, made 33 from 16 balls in the powerplay with three fours and two sixes. Later, he was dismissed on 39 from 26 balls. The opening partnership laid the platform for the chase.

#2 Dinesh Karthik's leadership

DK had an average outing with the bat as well as a captain (Image: FB/KKR)

Karthik’s captaincy was not up to the mark in this game. Opting to bowl Vinay Kumar in the first game cost the team 30 runs from two overs and in this game, the match itself. With 17 runs to get in the last over, Karthik opted for Vinay Kumar rather than in-form bowler Kuldeep Yadav. A serious tactical error that would haunt the KKR skipper for long.

While giving Kuldeep the last over wouldn't have assured KKR of a win but the odds would surely have been better.

Karthik would also have to think about how to use his bowling options. Unlike Gambhir, who tactically used his bowlers, Karthik tends to go with his gut feeling. Well, when it comes off, it is a great move. Just like when he used Nitish Rana for one over against RCB. But when it doesn’t, the team ends up losing two vital points.

If KKR want to make headway in the tournament, they would need their captain to lead from the front and make few tough calls. Even if that means, dropping Kumar and including Kamlesh Nagarkoti or Shivam Mavi as Kumar has given away 65 runs in 3.5 overs that he has bowled in two games.

#1 Sam Billings sensational debut

Sam Billings made a remarkable debut in the IPL (Image: FB/CSK)

Substituted in for fellow Englishman, Mark Wood, Sam Billings was included in the team to strengthen the CSK batting line-up as Kedar Jadhav has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

CSK were 101-3 in 11.3 overs when Sam Billings came out to bat in his debut game. The Englishman went on to score 56 from 23 balls with two fours and five sixes. Billings’ brilliant knock changed the complexion of the game.

CSK needed 19 from 9 balls when he was out. While Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja saw the team through, Billings had already done a majority of the hard work. Getting the man of the match award on your debut game was indeed a great start for Billings at the IPL.