CSK post 103 for 9 against KKR, their lowest ever score at Chepauk
Chennai (PTI): A completely disoriented Chennai Super Kings could manage only a paltry 103 for nine, their lowest total at the home ground Chepauk, as Kolkata Knight Riders dished out a clinical bowling show in their IPL match here on Friday.
It was CSK's third lowest total in the IPL and the lowest by any team in this edition so far.
Veteran spinner Sunil Narine (3/13) grabbed three wickets, while Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy got two each after CSK were invited to bat. Nothing went right for CSK in their home ground as they could hit just nine boundaries (4 or 6) in the entire innings.
Shivam Dube top-scored with an unbeaten 31 off 29 balls, while Vijay Shankar made 29 after living a charmed life. Only two other CSK batters made runs in double-digit figures.
Captaining CSK after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the remainder of the IPL due to an injury, MS Dhoni could only make just one off four balls before getting out in the 16th over after coming out to bat at number nine.
CSK's powerplay woes continued as they made 31 for the loss of two wickets, the second lowest by any team in six overs this season. It could have been much lower but for the 13 runs scored in the sixth over with back-to-back fours from Shankar off Chakaravarthy.
Moeen Ali removed Devon Conway (12) in the fourth over, while Rana got the wicket of Rachin Ravindra (4) in the fifth as CSK were reduced to 16 for 2. The home side would have been three down during powerplay had Narine not dropped Shankar in the fifth over, failing to hold on to a sitter at mid-off.
Shankar's luck finally ran out in the 10th over as he holed out to Moeen, leaving CSK at 61 for 3 at the halfway stage.
KKR tightened the screw over CSK who lost their fourth wicket in the 11th over with the struggling Rahul Tripathi clean-bowled by Narine after a laboured 22-ball 16.
Ravichandran Ashwin came out ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni and CSK would rue the decision as the India spin great was out for one run from seven balls.
CSK were in complete disarray when Jadeja (0) came out inevitably in the 14th over but he also lasted just two balls without any contribution, as he nicked to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, becoming Narine's second victim of the day. The home side were 71 for 6 at that stage.
Deepak Hooda (0) fell in the next over for nought and Dhoni came out only at that stage after CSK were reduced to 72 for 7 in 14.2 overs.
The writing was on the wall for CSK and the Chepauk crowd fell silent when MS Dhoni was adjudged LBW off Sunil Narine. Dhoni opted for a review, seemingly indicating there was bat involved, but the decision stood, further denting CSK's hopes.
The third umpire took multiple looks but ultimately ruled Dhoni out as CSK were reduced to 75 for 8.
More than four overs were left after Dhoni's departure and CSK went past the 100-run mark, thanks mainly to Dube who was attended to by team physio towards the end.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
