EXCLUSIVE
Follow UsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 started off with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) getting off to the perfect start as they defeated the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six wickets. Things looked bleak for CSK especially after they had lost half their side with just 61 on the board.
That’s when MS Dhoni showed his experience, notching up his 24th iPL fifty off just 38 deliveries and along with the new skipper Ravindra Jadeja he put on 70 for the sixth wicket to end up at 131 for 5, giving something to bowl at.
However, KKR did not lose any sweat as they marched on to their first win of the season.
Despite the loss, former South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes that Dhoni getting into form early is one of the positives for CSK from the game.
“Wankhede is a difficult place to bowl at the death. You don' get much reverse swing. Dhoni had to bolt his team out of a difficult situation. The skill level is there, the fitness is there and for a man of his age, that was a question mark,” Smith said on Cricket.com's show Match Review.
“That's one big tick for Chennai - that Dhoni has started the tournament off well. Where they use him, how many balls are they going to give him is going to be the challenge. The fact that he has found some form is one of the huge positives.”
Smith was also impressed with the KKR’s bowling and the way Shreyas Iyer led the side in his very first game for the franchise.
“When you keep a team like Chennai to under 140, you can't complain, especially with fast outfield and shorter boundaries. Dhoni saved Chennai's face with a wonderful knock in the end. The bowling in general, the captaincy, the energy from KKR will be a great tick for Shreyas Iyer and Brendon McCullum,” Smith said.
Speaking of Shreyas, Smith said, “He is a lovely kid and has got a lot of great energy about him. He's had a lot of captaincy experience in the IPL now and you can see how he has grown.
“He's got a great astute person in Brendon McCullum to help him out with his technical and tactical skills. It was a perfect night for KKR. The pitch had a little bit of bounce and little bit of pace, which worked in their favour.”
Ajinkya Rahane, who got a chance to open for KKR grabbed it with both hands, smashing 44 off just 34. Smith reckons that the surface at the Wankhede suits his style of batting.
“A perfect total to start the tournament for Rahane. He was in his zone, not chasing a big total even though he showed positive signs, the pitch at the Wankhede suits him well. He can hit through the line, pace on the ball he does not need to overthink things. He can use the pace well,” the former South Africa skipper said.
“As a batter form is key. You get a bit of confidence, you get some practice in the middle and walk away tonight and you're ready for the rest of the tournament.”
While KKR take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) next on Wednesday (March 30), CSK will look to get off the mark when they come up against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday (March 31)
