Ravindra Jadeja rues lack of partnerships following loss to KKR

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) succumbed to a six-wicket loss in the first game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai. Newly-appointed captain Ravindra Jadeja puts it down to the lack of partnerships.

Jadeja (26*) and MS Dhoni (50*) put an unbeaten stand of 70 for the sixth wicket. Barring that, CSK really could not get going.  "As a batting unit, we didn't get partnerships. We will try to do better next game," Jadeja said after the match.

With the dew too playing a huge part, Jadeja reckons the team winning the toss would without a doubt opt to bowl first. "I think dew will be vital and it will play a part. If you win the toss, you will definitely look to bowl first. In the first six overs, it was damp and in the second half, the ball was coming on," Jadeja said.

"We were looking to drag the game as deep as we can. Bravo bowled brilliantly and everybody did a good job with the ball." 

With figures of 2 for 20, fast bowler Umesh Yadav was adjudged the player of the match. He first got rid of Ruturaj Gaikwad for a duck and followed that up with the scalp of the debutant Devon Conway (4).

Winning captain Shreyas Iyer praised Umesh Yadav for his effort, adding that his hard work in the nets has paid off.  "Umesh has been working very hard at the nets and practice sessions. Chuffed to see him perform at his best today," Shreyas said.

Umesh thanked the head coach Brendon McCullum and his skipper for showing trust in him.

"I haven't played white-ball cricket for a while and thanks to head coach and captain for keeping trust in me and telling me that I am going to be in the starting eleven," Umesh said.

"I am actually working my rhythm because after having played a lot of Tests, the rhythm is such that when you have to start you gotta land in the right areas to extract the swing.

"As a fast bowler and outswing bowler, you always feel good to get a wicket in the first over and that helps build the pressure."

After getting off to the perfect start, KKR will look to keep this up when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) next on Wednesday (March 30), while CSK will look to get their first points of the season in their tie against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Thursday (March 31).