‘Raining sixes in Kolkata’ – Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube’s carnage helps CSK to record total against KKR

Chennai Super Kings’ batters put on a magnificent display of power-hitting, dispatching Nitish Rana’s bowlers to all parts of the ground to put up a mammoth total of 235 runs on the board in the first innings of their IPL 2023 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Devon Conway, Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane starred for their side with brilliant half-centuries.

Although Nitish Rana won the toss for his side, it was the visitors who started the match on the front foot, thanks to a blistering opening stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. It looked like the home side would claw their way back into the match after young leggie Suyash Sharma cleaned up Gaikwad in the eighth over of the match.

But there was no respite for the KKR bowlers as Conway continued to pile the pressure from the other end. The Kiwi opener registered his fourth consecutive half-century of IPL 2023 to keep his side in the driver’s seat. The four-time champions upped it a gear after Conway’s departure as Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube went berserk against the bowlers.

Dube and Rahane showed no mercy to the KKR bowlers

The duo added 85 runs in just 32 deliveries to lay the foundation of a formidable total for the visitors. Dube, who smashed five sixes during his 20-ball half-century, was eventually dismissed in the 18th over of the match. Meanwhile, his senior partner, Rahane, played some uncharacteristically cheeky shots in yet another swashbuckling knock in this year’s edition.

The veteran Indian cricketer, who has rejuvenated his game for MS Dhoni’s side, kept his foot on the accelerator as CSK sailed past the 200-run mark. Ravindra Jadeja also played a handy cameo at the end as CSK finished with the highest-ever total at the Eden Gardens in their first innings.