IPL 2023: It was a 180 wicket but conditions made a huge difference – MS Dhoni after loss against KKR

Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni admitted it was a 180 wicket but batting first it was difficult for them to reach the par score because of the conditions after their six-wicket loss against Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.

Dhoni said that there was a lot of help for the spinners for KKR in the first innings while the dew made it difficult for their spinners in the second over.

CSK could only manage 144-6 in their 20 overs after Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first. The home team found themselves under the cosh at 72-5 after 11 overs as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

KKR veteran spinner Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with impressive figures of 2-15 in his quota of four overs. Narine accounted for Moeen Ali and Ambatiy Rayudu whereas Varun Chakravarthy took 2-36 in his fine spell.

On the other hand, KKR skipper Nitish Rana scored an unbeaten knock of 57 runs whereas Rinku Singh also continued his purple patch as he scored 54 runs before he was run out to take his team to a convincing win.

MS Dhoni said in the post-match presentation, “One of those days when you win the toss and bat first and the moment the first ball was bowled in the second innings, you realise it is a 180 wicket. Batting first I don’t think we could have got anywhere close to 180. I think the dew made a big difference. If you compare the first innings to the second innings, there was a lot more purchase for the spinners in the first innings and that’s what really got to us.”

Meanwhile, Shivam Dube was the lone warrior for CSK as he scored an unbeaten knock of 48 runs from 34 balls to continue his good form but he didn’t get a lot of support from the other end. Dhoni showered praise on Dube and wants the hard-hitter to continue the good show in the upcoming matches.

Dhoni said, “Well we have spoken a lot, it should remain in the dressing room what we spoke to him. What are the areas he needs to work on. Very happy with the way he has done and it’s important for him to keep continuing game after game and not get satisfied with what he has done. He has done that job for us in the middle overs to get us as many runs as possible. So I just wish him that he keeps continuing.”

Chennai Super Kings will next take on Delhi Capitals in their last league stage match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Saturday.