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Jadeja guides CSK to fifth straight win
Ravindra Jadeja kicked-off Chennai Super Kings’ campaign in the opening match of the India leg of the Indian Premier League with a match-winning performance with bat and ball, as the two-time champions easily beat 2012 winners Kolkata Knight Riders by 34 runs, in Ranchi, on Friday night.
- Scorecard
After playing a useful hand of 17 off 10 balls, including a four and six, when Chennai batted, he returned to take four wickets for 12 runs from his four overs as Kolkata, chasing 149 for victory, were restricted to 114 for 9.
Rain delays start
The match was reduced to a 17-overs-a-side contest after an hour and 40 minutes’ delay due to rain, which threatened to wash-out the start of the Indian leg.
Chennai, who opted to bat after winning the toss, fielded an unchanged side, while Kolkata made two changes, bringing in Andre Russell for Morne Morkel, and Yusuf Pathan for Manvinder Bisla.
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McCullum makes most of Kolkata bowlers' largesse
Brendon McCullum went on the attack after his opening partner Dwayne Smith (16 off 11 balls) was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan, who opened the bowling for Kolkata, with the third delivery of the third over.
The Kolkata bowlers, especially Vinay Kumar, were guilty of bowling too short and McCullum took full advantage of their largesse.
By the time the New Zealander was dismissed by Andre Russell he had scored 56 off 40 balls and Chennai were well-placed at 119-3 off 14.3 overs.
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Dhoni, Jadeja swell Chennai's total
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who came in at the fall of Suresh Raina (31 off 25 balls) immediately went for quick runs and swelled the total, hitting a four and six before finishing unbeaten on 22 off 17 balls.
Ravindra Jadeja was also unbeaten, scoring 17 off 10 balls, including a four and six, as Chennai posted a handsome 148 for 3 in their 17 overs.
Shakib Al-Hassan finished with two wickets for 25 runs from his four overs. Andre Russell got the other wicket, but was costly, conceding 25 runs from two overs. Piyush Chawla too was expensive at none for 31 from three.
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Gambhir departs early
Kolkata Knight Riders suffered an early jolt as captain Gautam Gambhir was run out for six in the third over of the innings after a misunderstanding with opening partner Robin Uthappa.
Jacques Kallis also perished cheaply and was caught at deep square leg for four off Ravichandran Ashwin.
Jadeja guides CSK to fifth straight win
Ravindra Jadeja left Kolkata in tatters with two wickets in his first over.
Manish Pandey tried to drive through the off-side but ended up offering a simple catch to Brendon McCullum at short cover.
Shakib Al Hasan gifted his wicket away as he holed out to Mohit at deep midwicket attempting a big shot off the first delivery he faced, to leave Kolkata in tatters at 38 for four in the sixth over.
Surya Kumar Yadav was trapped leg before wicket for eight in his next over, while Robin Uthappa was caught by Dhoni in his final over.
The left-arm spinner finished with excellent figures of four for 12 in four overs as KKR finished on a disappointing 114 for nine in their 20 overs to lose by 34 runs.
Mohit Sharma claimed two wickets in the final over of the innings as Chennai posted their fifth straight win in a row, while Kolkata suffered their fourth loss in six matches.