'Chennai Super Kings are Chepauk Super Kings' - Aakash Chopra hails franchise's dominance at home

Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) returned to winning ways on Monday, April 8 after a couple of losses as they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by seven wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.

After winning their first two games of the season at home against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, the Men in Yellow suffered convincing defeats against Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad on the road. However, after returning to their home ground, the Super Kings registered their third win of the season against the former two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions.

After winning the toss, Ruturaj Gaikwad elected to field first. KKR could only manage 137/9 on a sluggish track before Chennai comfortably chased the target down in the 18th over. After the match, Aakash Chopra lauded CSK's prowess in home conditions.

"Chennai Super Kings are Chepauk Super Kings. They are Champion Super Kings. They are a team that don't lose at home. No one has been able to beat them at home. No one has been able to breach their citadel. Their fortress is extremely strong. KKR came prepared but nothing worked for them - neither batting nor bowling," Chopra said in a video released on his YouTube channel.

Deepak Chahar missed the match due to a niggle. Meanwhile, Matheesha Pathirana, who was unable to play the last game against Hyderabad due to an injury, failed to get fit in time for the clash against the Knights. Chopra acknowledged that he was a little bit concerned with CSK's fast-bowling resources against a dominant KKR side.

"Deepak Chahar wasn't there and I was surprised. Pathirana wasn't there and I said that the bowling had suddenly become very weak. You played Lord (Shardul) Thakur for sure, but the opposing team was a juggernaut. So I was a little worried and concerned," he stated.

Also Read: 'The success we've had, things we have been doing, don't want to change single bit of it' - Ruturaj Gaikwad on keeping CSK's tradition intact

Ravindra Jadeja broke everything from the backbone to the legs and arms: Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator was effusive in his praise for Ravindra Jadeja, who was responsible for KKR's downfall as he finished with figures of 3/18 in his four overs. The Saurashtra all-rounder choked the opposition batters through the middle overs after the hosts conceded 56 runs inside the powerplay.

"Chennai won the toss and bowled, and Phil Salt was dismissed off the first ball itself. How will you prepare good food without salt? Tushar Deshpande got the wicket and the catch went to Jaddu's hand. When the catch went to Jaddu's hand, we came to know it's going to be Jaddu's day," he said.

"Let's be fair, Kolkata won the powerplay. However, when wickets started falling after that, they couldn't come out of it. Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets. He also didn't concede too many runs in his four overs and took two catches as well. He broke everything from the backbone to the legs and arms," the 46-year-old added.

Also Read: IPL 2024: Ravindra Jadeja bags unique record during CSK vs KKR clash at Chepauk

Tushar Deshpande finished with career-best figures in the IPL of 3/33. Meanwhile, Mustafizur Rahman climbed back to the top of the Purple Cap leaderboard after bagging a couple of wickets. The Bangladeshi pacer could have bagged a third wicket as well but MS Dhoni dropped what was a relatively straightforward catch by his lofty standards to give Andre Russell a reprieve.

"Whoever was trying to hit was getting stuck, whether it was Shreyas Iyer or Rinku Singh. Andre Russell also swung his bat hard but nothing happened. Tushar Deshpande picked up a wicket at the start and came back to take wickets in the end. Fizz could have got three wickets but MS Dhoni dropped a catch. However, the runs weren't much at all," he elaborated.

During the chase, Ruturaj scored a patient 67 not out off 58 balls, hitting nine fours and took his team to victory. Chennai will now face Mumbai Indians on Sunday, April 14 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.