We fell short in assessing the wicket: Shreyas Iyer

Chennai Super Kings ended Kolkata Knight Riders’ winning streak, handing them a seven-wicket defeat in Match 22 at the Chepauk. Asked to bat first, KKR had a brilliant start, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Sunil Narine taking the team to 50/1 in five overs. 

However, the game changed quickly. Ravindra Jadeja and Co. forged a web of spin, restricting KKR to 137/9 in 20 overs. Jadeja picked 3/18, derailing Kolkata’s innings. From there onwards, it was one way traffic. The CSK skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a calm 67 not out off 58 balls as CSK notched up their third win of the season. 

The KKR captain, Shreyas Iyer admitted that his side couldn’t assess the conditions quickly enough. “We fell short in assessing the wicket,” Iyer said.  

“Phenomenal start in the power play but we couldn't capitalize. Couldn't assess conditions, the pitch completely changed after powerplay and it wasn't easy to score runs. They know conditions pretty well, bowled according to their plan.”

Jadeja, the Player of the Match, echoed the same thought. “For visiting teams, it takes time to settle in and plan, you hardly get 2-3 days, for a visiting team to come here, play and identify the surface is a little difficult. We know our conditions better,” Jadeja spoke. 

Iyer felt the changing nature of the pitch made it difficult for the KKR batters to move the innings forward. “When you lose consecutive wickets it's difficult to carry forward momentum. Have to go back to our drawing board and learn, just a matter of one match and one innings.” 

Iyer mentioned that it was a 160-170 wicket. Gaikwad, on the other hand, reckoned that 150-160 was the par score here. “With Jinx injured (Ajinkya Rahane suffered a calf injury), onus was on me to bat through, didn't want to put the youngsters in a difficult situation. Was a 150-160 wicket.”

Gaikwad appreciated Jadeja and the luxury of having experienced players around him.  “Jaddu always comes in after the power play with momentum in the spin department. With this team, I don't really need to tell things to anyone,” he said. 

“I always enjoy my bowling on this track. I was hoping the ball grips a little, if you bowl in the right areas with helps you,” Jadeja said about his spell in sync with his skipper.