On Sunday, May 14, the 61st match of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) featured a matchup between the four-time champion Chennai Super Kings and the Nitish Rana-led Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway only scored 17 and 30 runs, respectively, after winning the toss and electing to bat first for Chennai.
Kolkata’s bowling assault posed a significant obstacle for the four-time champions. The impact of veteran Windies all-rounder Sunil Narine bowling in Kolkata was particularly notable. After three matches, Narine captured his first scalp. His last wicket came against the defending champions, the Gujarat Titans, in the 39th game of the tournament, and his next wicket came against Chennai in the 61st game.
Sunil Narine eliminated Ambati Rayudu, who was taking part in his 200th game of the tournament. Rayudu was dismissed for only four runs.
Sunil Narine took out Moeen Ali for a single run, bringing his total to five wickets.
KKR seeks its sixth victory in the IPL in 2023.
Kolkata’s chances of securing a postseason berth are currently dismal. The two-time champions are in eighth place in the IPL standings with 10 points after 12 games. The Nitish Rana-led team would put everything on the line to win their remaining games and advance to the tournament’s postseason after finishing last in the standings.
They would be eager to complete the pursuit of 145 runs in the second inning. On the other hand, the Chennai Super Kings are in a relatively comfortable position in the standings, as the four-time champions are in second place with 15 points after 12 matches. Following an outstanding victory against the Delhi Capitals, they would be eager to continue their winning ways.