"Can't blame any of our bowlers," says MS Dhoni after CSK's loss to KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders defeated MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets in the return-fixture.

Emerging star Rinku Singh has kept Kolkata Knight Riders' hopes of playoffs alive. On a dry Chepauk wicket, KKR captain Nitish Rana (57*) and Rinku Singh (54) played a masterclass against Chennai's spin bowling attack. Kolkata defeated Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets in a low-scoring chase. Batting first, Chennai could only post 144 runs on the board. Kolkata’s spinners along with Shardul Thakur (1/15) kept Chennai batters at bay. Sunil Narine (2/15) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/36) didn’t give anyone a chance to score big. Only Shivam Dube scored freely and helped Chennai reach 144 with his 48 runs knock. Chennai had a great start to the defense, Deepak Chahar picked up 3 wickets at the top but Rinku and Nitish Rana’s 99-run stand provided KKR a much-needed boost in their campaign. 

Dhoni defends CSK bowlers

Chennai spinners could not create any magic as Sunil Narine did. Chennai captain MS Dhoni felt Dew was there in the 2nd innings. Dhoni said, “The dew made a big difference in the second inning. We can’t really blame any of our bowlers. Just that conditions had a big impact on the game”. Only Shivam Dube with his batting and Deepak Chahar with his bowling could put up a great show for the team in the game against KKR. Talking about their performance, captain MS Dhoni, “Very happy with what Shivam has done, I want to keep our talk only restricted to the dressing room, but important is that he is not satisfied and keeps improving. Chahar swings the ball, he knows his field well and bowls accordingly”. Chahar picked up 3 wickets at the top. 

'Every team has home advantage except KKR'

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Nitish Rana looked happy after an important win over CSK, that will keep them in the race for playoffs. He along with Rinku Singh dominated the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana, and Moeen Ali in the middle overs. They both were scoring freely against CSK’s spin trio that was dominating Chapauk’s dry wicket before the KKR game. Talking about the conditions KKR captain Nitish Rana said, “Credit to Chandu sir, We had a discussion before the chase, Chandu sir asked to take heavy roller which I didn't want. I felt it might break the wicket and might turn more but it settled the wicket completely… As long as the tournament is going, wickets are going dry and every team has a home advantage except KKR”. 

Rinku becomes new star for Kolkata

Once again Rinku Singh emerged as a superhero and man of the crisis for Kolkata Knight Riders. Rinku Singh scored 54 runs in 43 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. Rinku Singh’s innings helped KKR stay in the chase till the end. Talking about his consistent performance, he said, “I bat at 5 and 6 in domestic cricket too so the experience helped me. I have worked really hard, to bat well, this is what gives me confidence”. Rinku Singh has emerged as one of the best finishers in the Indian Premier League this season.