IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 61 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

The 61st game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 featured a clash between the four-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the Nitish Rana-led Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, May 14.

After Shivam Dube’s resilience helped Chennai post 144 runs on the board in the first innings, the brilliant partnership between Rinku Singh and skipper Nitish Rana proved to be the turning point for Kolkata, as they registered an emphatic win by six wickets. 

Here are the Talking Points from the CSK vs KKR clash-

Shivam Dube’s resilience

Indian batter Shivam Dube has been in great form in the ongoing IPL 2023. After the top order of the side failed to convert the start into a big score, Shivam Dube showed maturity down the order. The 29-year-old played an unbeaten knock of 48 runs in 34 deliveries, with the help of one four and three sixes. His knock was crucial to the four-time champions in posting 144 runs on the board.

Deepak Chahar’s efforts

Chennai pacer Deepak Chahar was the only bowler in the side who managed to take any wickets during the run chase. Chahar bowled three overs in the second innings, taking three wickets and conceding 27 runs in the process. He dismissed Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer to provide Chennai with a chance of coming back into the game. However, it proved to be in vain, as Kolkata ultimately rode on Rinku and Rana's near-century stand to clinch a victory.

The Rinku-Nitish show

After losing their first three batters quite early in the game, the chances for a win looked bleak for Kolkata. However, Rinku Singh and skipper Nitish Rana showed resilience down the order and propelled their side to a brilliant win. Rinku scored 54 runs in 43 deliveries, whereas Nitish Rana played an unbeaten knock of 57 runs in 44 deliveries. Rinku's innings was studded with four fours and three sixes, whereas Rana hit six fours and one six in his power-puffed innings.

Losing skipper MS Dhoni said:

The minute we bowled the first ball in the second innings, we knew we needed 180. But there was no way we could have got 180 on that pitch. The dew made a big difference in the second innings. We can't really blame any of our bowlers. Just that the conditions had a big impact on the game. Very happy with what Shivam has done, but important that he is not satisfied and keeps improving. Chahar swings the ball, he knows what fields to take, and he bowls accordingly.

Winning skipper Nitish Rana said:

Chandu sir [Pandit, KKR coach] asked for a heavy roller, which I didn't want. I felt the heavy roller might break the pitch, but it settled the pitch completely. The ball didn't turn in the second innings. Credit to our spinners for how well they bowled. I always felt that if I or Rinku could hold one end up, we will chase this down. That's what happeened.

Player of the Match Rinku Singh said:

Lost some wickets early. When I went in, Nitish bhaiyya said it's a tough wicket. Will knock it around for singles and capitalise on loose balls. I bat in the same position in domestic cricket, play the same way. I eat well, have always had the power. A lot of hard work behind it.