Twitter Reactions: Spin, middle-order batting make the difference as KKR breach Super Kings' fortress

The action continued in IPL 2023 as Chennai Super Kings took on Kolkata Knight Riders in match No. 61 on Sunday, May 14, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. CSK captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first, and openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway added 31 runs for the first wicket in 21 balls. The partnership was broken as Gaikwad lost his wicket to Varun Chakravarthy.

Ajinkya Rahane walked in at number three and got involved in a 30-run stand with Conway before Chakravarthy dismissed him as well for 16(11). Conway also followed him nine balls later and lost his wicket while trying to go for a big one against Shardul Thakur in the tenth over.

Sunil Narine further piled on the misery for CSK by cleaning up Ambati Rayudu (4 off 7) and Moeen Ali (1 off 2) in the 11^th over to leave CSK reeling at 72/5 after 11 overs. Seeing their side in trouble, Shivam Dube (48* off 34) and Ravindra Jadeja (20 off 24) got involved in a 68-run stand off 50 balls to help CSK cross the 140-run mark.

MS Dhoni walked to the crease after Jadeja’s dismissal in the 20^th over but could only manage to score two off three balls as CSK finished their innings on 144/6 at the end of their allotted 20 overs. Sunil Narine (2/15) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/36) were the pick of the bowlers for KKR with two wickets each.

Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh keep KKR alive in the tournament

In reply, KKR got off to the worst possible start as they lost their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over, who got out to Deepak Chahar. The right-arm seamer further got the big scalps of Venkatesh Iyer (9 off 4) and Jason Roy (12 off 15) in the third and fifth over, respectively, to leave KKR at 38/3 after five overs.

After three early wickets, captain Nitish Rana (57* off 44) and Rinku Singh (54 off 43) got involved in a massive 99-run stand off 76 balls to take their team closer to victory. Rinku Singh got dismissed due to an unfortunate run-out in the 18th over, however, captain Nitish Rana batted till the end and took his team home in the 19th. As a result, KKR chased down the target of 145 in 18.3 overs and stayed alive in the raise for the playoffs. Deepak Chahar was the pick of the bowlers for CSK with his spell of 3/27 in three overs.

Here's how Twitter reacted to KKR's stunning victory:

𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔@Shebas_10dulkar

Since 2012 IPL final This is KKR's 1st Win against CSK at Chepauk 💥 #CSKvsKKR

11:10 PM · May 14, 2023

33337

Cric8ly 🏏@MR_Alpha_21

Can Finish Can Anchor Can Field Like Johnty Rhodes Show me a better complete team man than this guy Rinku Singh #CSKvsKKR #CSKvKKR

11:08 PM · May 14, 2023

7913

Prayag@theprayagtiwari

We are living in rinku singh ERA. #rinkusingh #CSKvsKKR

11:08 PM · May 14, 2023

18519

Munaf Patel@munafpa99881129

This #IPL2023 is becoming more interesting day by day, Competition for #Playoffs getting tough. For today's match between #CSKvsKKR calm and composed innings of @rinkusingh235 & @NitishRana_27 was tremendous, Congratulations. #KKRvCSK @KKRiders @ChennaiIPL @IPL

11:12 PM · May 14, 2023

463

aqqu who@aq30__

The man The Myth The Legend! Another half Century for Rinku Singh! #CSKvsKKR

10:53 PM · May 14, 2023

13319

Yusuf Pathan@iamyusufpathan

A victory at Chepauk for @KKRiders! @rinkusingh235 and @NitishRana_27 were exceptional tonight. #IPL2023 #CSKvKKR

11:09 PM · May 14, 2023

18013

Ian Raphael Bishop@irbishi

Well played Rinku Singh again. First full season and already 400+ runs👏🏻👏🏻 in #TATAIPL2023

10:54 PM · May 14, 2023

1.2K96

Shreevats goswami@shreevats1

Nitish Rana & Rinku Singh playing middle over phase as if they have been doing this since ages , making it look so so easy .It’s not always about big hitting .Singles here & there & boundaries when need . Matured partnership .The bonding obv helps too #CSKvsKKR #TATAIPL2023

10:48 PM · May 14, 2023

50

Mithali Raj@M_Raj03

Incredible from #KKR. Defeating #CSK in Chennai is a difficult task but they achieved it. Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine showed their class with the ball while Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh were so composed in the chase. Impressive win. #CSKvsKKR #IPL2023

11:21 PM · May 14, 2023

24919

Swapnil Vats@iamswapnilvats

The impressive 99-run partnership was a result of exemplary batting performance characterized by maturity and well-timed strike rotation within the 30-yard circle, with an average of one boundary per over and swift singles after every boundary. #KKR | #AmiKKR | #CSKvsKKR

11:21 PM · May 14, 2023

50

Anuj Nitin Prabhu@APTalksCricket

At 33/3, thought that 145 would be just enough for CSK to defend. But got to say this has been some expert-level chase by Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh. Every visiting team to Chepauk, this is how you bat there. Straight bat, take calculated risks, rotate strike. Hats off to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

11:08 PM · May 14, 2023

1768