IPL 2022: Umesh Yadav registers unique distinction in opening match against CSK

Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav produced a rollicking performance for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side in the opening game of the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The right-arm fast bowler scalped two wickets in the four overs that he bowled and also conceded just 20 runs as well.

Yadav also achieved a unique distinction in the 2022 IPL opener against CSK. The KKR pacer picked up the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the first over of the match and is just the fourth bowler in the history of the league to pick up a wicket in the very first over of the opening game of an IPL season. Brett Lee, Iqbal Abdullah and Chaminda Vaas are the other three players to do it.

Yadav bowled a delivery that swung away from Gaikwad, and the right-hander went for a loose cut shot. The ball took the edge of his bat and Nitish Rana, who was stationed in the slip cordon completed the catch as Gaikwad walked back for a duck.

KKR beat CSK by six wickets in the IPL opener

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with six wickets and nine balls to spare in the opening match of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League. Batting first, the Chennai side posted a total of 131/5 in their 20-over quota, with MS Dhoni hammering a superb 50* off just 38 deliveries.

Apart from Yadav who picked up two batters, Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell picked up one wicket apiece. The Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) openers, Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane stitched together a stand of 43 runs for the opening wicket to lay the platform for their side.

While Iyer scored a run-a-ball 16, Rahane scored a vital 44 off 34 deliveries with the willow in hand. Nitish Rana, skipper Shreyas Iyer, and Sam Billings too chipped in with vital contributions to help the KKR side sail past the target without much fuss. Umesh Yadav won the Player of the Match award for his excellent display with the ball in hand for the KKR outfit.