While a major credit of KKR's gritty win ought to be given to their bowling unit which restricted CSK to 157-5 in pursuit of a 168-run chase, the platform for this memorable win was set by none other than opener Rahul Tripathi who stroked his way to a whirlwind 81 off just 51 deliveries and helped his team set a up competitive total on a bowling friendly deck at Abu Dhabi.
Batting first after winning the toss for the first time in 59 games, KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik pulled off a surprise move by sending Rahul Tripathi in place of the regular opener Sunil Narine up the order to open the innings with Shubman Gill.
Tripathi's promotion up the order as an opener for KKR against CSK came on the back of his blistering 16-ball 36 cameo against which almost pulled off the game for his team against DC, chasing a daunting 200-plus score. KKR's think tank also decided to tinker with the batting order after their regular opener Sunil Narine's poor outing with the willow in the season so far.
Rahul Tripathi Provided The Opening Salvo For KKR With Fireworks In Powerplay
Tripathi made the most of this opportunity given to him and reposed the faith of his team by getting the Knights off to a flying start in the powerplays even as Shubman Gill looked a bit out of sorts. Tripathi's fireworks up the order helped KKR post 52 at the end of the powerplay with racing to 31 off just 18 balls.
Anchored The Innings When Wickets Tumbled On The Other End
Tripathi became a bit watchful after KKR lost Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine in quick succession but held on to anchor the innings. With Morgan and Russell also failing, KKR looked in all sorts of trouble.. Tripathi then stepped on the acceleration button to smash seamers Deepak Chahar and Dwayne Bravo for a couple of boundaries
Tripathi was eventually dismissed by CSK's seam all-rounder Dwyane Bravo in the 17th over but the right handed had done enough damage by slamming a belligerent half ton laced with eight fours and three maximums at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
In a nutshell, KKR think tank's well thought of move to use Rahul Tripathi as an opener in place of the out of form Sunil Narine heaped huge dividends as had it not been for belligerent strokemaker's fiery 81-run knock KKR would have been unable to set up a challenging total and give their bowlers something to bowl at.
CSK who seemed all in control at the half way stage of their innings while chasing a getable 168-run target were dealt a massive blow by the KKR bowlers who forged a fightback in the latter stages of the innings by bowling some tight spells and restricting them from hitting boundaries.