At a glacne
- Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs to secure back-to-back IPL wins
- Sanju Samson anchors Chennai with 48 in a strong total of 192 for 5
- Noor Ahmad takes 3 for 21 as Chennai’s spin attack seals the victory
Chennai Super Kings produced a confident display to secure back-to-back victories for the first time since April 2024, overcoming Kolkata Knight Riders by 32 runs in a composed all-round performance at Chepauk.
Set a target of 193, Kolkata never truly found their rhythm and finished on 160 for 7, as Chennai combined early breakthroughs with disciplined spin to tighten their grip on the contest.
Chennai Super Kings 192 for 5 (Sanju Samson 48, Kartik Tyagi 2 for 35) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 160 for 7 (Ramandeep Singh 35, Noor Ahmad 3 for 21) by 32 runs
Read the full scorecard here.
Samson leads the charge again
At the heart of Chennai’s innings was Sanju Samson, who once again anchored the batting effort with a fluent 48. He found strong support from Dewald Brevis and the impressive Ayush Mhatre, guiding the hosts to 192 for 5 on a surface that demanded patience beyond the early overs.
Mhatre provided the initial spark with an explosive cameo, taking full advantage of the fielding restrictions. Alongside Samson, he helped Chennai race ahead in the powerplay, a phase that ultimately proved decisive. By the time he departed, the damage had been done and Kolkata were already chasing the game.
Kolkata fight back but fall short
Kolkata’s bowlers regained some control in the middle overs, led by the returning Varun Chakravarthy and a sharp spell from Kartik Tyagi, who claimed 2 for 35. Their efforts slowed Chennai’s scoring rate, though they could not fully halt the momentum.
Brevis attempted to accelerate late in the innings with a brief flourish, but Kolkata’s death bowling ensured the target remained within sight, offering a glimmer of hope at the halfway mark.
Early strikes shift the balance
That hope quickly faded. Chennai’s new-ball pairing struck early, removing both Finn Allen and Sunil Narine inside the powerplay. The visitors struggled to recover from that setback, managing only half of Chennai’s powerplay total.
Though Narine briefly threatened with a few boundaries, Chennai’s bowlers maintained discipline and control, forcing errors and keeping the pressure firmly on.
Spin attack seals the result
The turning point came through the spinners, with Noor Ahmad delivering a standout performance. His spell of 3 for 21 dismantled the middle order, including key dismissals that halted any chance of a late surge.
Rahane and Raghuvanshi offered some resistance, but their approach lacked urgency as the required rate climbed steadily. Once Noor removed the dangerous hitters in quick succession, the contest was effectively decided.
Chennai’s spin unit operated with precision, conceding little and striking at regular intervals. By the final overs, Kolkata were left with an insurmountable equation, needing 86 runs from the last five overs.
A timely resurgence
This victory lifts Chennai off the bottom of the table and places them alongside a cluster of teams on four points, signalling a potential shift in their campaign. For Kolkata, however, concerns continue to mount as their search for a first win of the season goes on.
With confidence building and key players finding form, Chennai appear to be rediscovering their rhythm at just the right time.
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