Noor Ahmad spins CSK to comprehensive victory over KKR

Chennai Super Kings posted 192 for 5 without a single half-century, the second-highest total without an individual 50-plus score in the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders were restricted to 160 for 7, handing CSK a 32-run victory to celebrate Tamil New Year—their third consecutive win on April 14.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 192/5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 48, Dewald Brevis 41, Ayush Mhatre 38; Kartik Tyagi 2-35) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 160/7 in 20 overs (Ramandeep Singh 35, Rovman Powell 31*; Noor Ahmad 3-21, Anshul Kamboj 2-32) by 32 runs.

Noor Ahmad was instrumental in KKR's downfall, taking three wickets to dismantle the middle order after the openers fell early. Akeal Hosein provided tight support to keep KKR in check.

CSK's strong start despite early wickets

For the fourth time in five matches, CSK's opening partnership ended early. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad fell cheaply, but Sanju Samson set the tempo with three consecutive fours in the first over. Ayush Mhatre, aggressive from the start, powered CSK past fifty in four overs with regular boundaries and two sixes off Cameron Green. Mhatre fell for a 17-ball 38 in the final over of the Powerplay, but CSK had already laid a solid foundation.

Samson and Brevis continued the momentum, with Samson hitting a six off Kartik Tyagi to take CSK past 100 in the 10th over. Samson was bowled two runs short of a fifty, but Sarfaraz Khan and Brevis regained momentum with boundaries in the 14th over.

Why CSK fell short of 200

Sunil Narine and Kartik Tyagi applied the brakes in the death overs. Narine dismissed Sarfaraz and conceded only seven in his final over, while Tyagi removed Brevis in a six-run over. The last four overs yielded just 30 runs, limiting CSK to 192.

KKR's stuttering start

Sunil Narine opened with Finn Allen and hit a six in the first over, but both openers fell in the Powerplay. Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi struggled to accelerate, leaving KKR at 36 for 2—their third-lowest Powerplay score this season.

Spin triggers KKR's collapse

After a slow start, Raghuvanshi and Rahane built a half-century partnership, but Akeal Hosein broke through by dismissing Raghuvanshi. Noor Ahmad then took charge, removing Rahane, Cameron Green for a first-ball duck, and Rinku Singh in quick succession to reduce KKR to 90 for 6 in the 13th over. Rovman Powell and Ramandeep Singh could only reduce the margin of defeat.

Pitch and conditions

Bowling from the V. Pattabhiraman Gate End proved expensive, with 121 runs scored at 12.1 per over. The Anna Pavilion End was more economical, with 71 runs at 7.1 per over. Spinners were particularly effective from the Anna Pavilion End, taking 2 for 45 in 8 overs.

Upcoming fixtures

After two consecutive home wins, CSK travel to Hyderabad to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18. Kolkata Knight Riders, still winless after five matches, head to Ahmedabad to face Gujarat Titans on April 17.