Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 7 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Chasing 109 runs, CSK were given a brisk start by Shane Watson, who scored 17 off just 9 balls. His innings included 2 fours and 1 six. Suresh Raina then departed after scoring 14 off 13 balls (1 four, 1 six). Sunil Narine dismissed both Watson and Raina to put a halt to CSK's run chase. Faf du Plessis and Ambati Rayudu then steadied CSK's run-chase as the duo stitched together a 46-run stand for the 3rd wicket. Rayudu was dismissed for 21 by Piyush Chawla. By then, it was too late for KKR to make a comeback in the game as a composed knock by Du Plessis (43 not out) and the finishing touches by Kedar Jadhav (8 not out, 1 four) took CSK home. With this win, the Dhoni-led side move to the top of the points table (5 wins, 10 points). Earlier, KKR scored a meagre 108/9 in 20 overs. Andre Russell brought up his 6th IPL fifty. He scored an unbeaten on 50 off 44. (SCORECARD) IPL 2019 Highlights Updates Between Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, straight from MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.<doc-sep>Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni and Kolkata Knight Riders’ co-owner Shah Rukh Khan sent social media into meltdown after the duo were pictured greeting each other during the teams’ Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Following Chennai’s seven-run win that saw them snatch back the top spot in the IPL table, Dhoni was seen speaking with SRK, who was present in the stand along with fellow KKR owners. Also Read: MI vs KXIP Live score, IPL 2019 Match 24 at Wankhede The official handle of CSK uploaded the image on social media and their post read: “#Thala, Chennai Express Super!#WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvKKR. After this image of the duo was uploaded on social media, the fans went wild and they have many things to say about this special meeting at Chennai’s home ground. King and Thala in 1 frame.. I feel blessed 😍😍😍 — 👑 B R I J W A 👑 (@BrijwaSRKman) April 9, 2019 One is KING👑 another is MAGICIAN 🤴🏻 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 — Chowkidar ZuFuMoChiKi❤️ (@JyotiLipun2210) April 9, 2019 Two legends at a one place🤘 — Uday Sonawale (@iamphoenix3421) April 10, 2019 After Chennai’s win against Kolkata in this low-scoring encounter, skipper Dhoni once again expressed concern over the nature of the pitch. “If you look it looks a good wicket to us. But, I don’t think we want to play on wickets like these because it becomes too low-scoring and it becomes slightly difficult for our batters to get going. And also what happens is that it’s slightly more difficult if you’re batting first. As the dew comes in, it becomes slightly easier in the second half,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Dhoni as saying. Also Read: Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir maturing like old wine - MS Dhoni Chennai seamer Deepak Chahar, who took three wickets in the match, too expressed displeasure over Chepauk track saying that nobody wants this type of wicket. “I’m happy I performed well, but obviously we’re looking for a better wicket. Nobody wants this type of a wicket. It’s [because of] the soil and heat and you can’t help it. It’s very hot here and the pitch curators are doing their best job to give us a good track. But, at the end of the day you can’t help it.”<doc-sep>Imran Tahir was happy that he could execute skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s plans during CSK’s five-wicket win over KKR in an IPL encounter here on Sunday. Tahir with figures of 4 for 27 was one of the architects of CSK’s victory on the day. “I just bowled according to the captain’s instructions. It’s always beneficial taking advice from Dhoni. He’s helping me a lot. It’s an absolute pleasure and the credit goes to him,” Man-of-the-match Tahir told reporters at the post-match news conference. Also Read: IPL 2019, KKR vs CSK at Eden Gardens, Highlights: As it happened Tahir said that Dhoni specifically pointed out areas where he was asked to bowl. “There are few things which he tells me like where I need to bowl, which area and where the guy is going to hit. It’s working and I’m just loving it. We are playing good cricket. We respect each other and enjoy each other’s success,” Tahir who is the joint leading wicket taker with Kagiso Rabada with 13 to his tally said. What works for Tahir is the fact that Dhoni can pre-empt where a batsman is trying to hit. “Those were small things. He tells me like this guy is trying to hit in this area so I bowl accordingly. I am an attacking spinner and want to take wickets and he allows me to bowl that way,” Tahir said of Dhoni. Russell started of in his usual explosive way hitting the leg-spinner for a boundary and six but he bounced back to dismiss the big-hitting Jamaican for the first time under 40 in seven matches. “I could have bowled two more dot balls to him or one run to him. But I wanted to take the challenge and wanted to get him out as simple as that. He hit me for four and a six which was fine. In the end, I got his wicket which was very important for the team more than personal achievement. He’s such a good player especially at the death so it’s a pleasure to get him out.” The 40-year-old was among three players who were not awarded a central contract by Cricket South Africa for the 2019-20 season. Also Read: IPL 2019, KKR vs CSK: Tahir, Raina power Chennai to five-wicket win “I decided not to play after the World Cup, purely to give opportunity to youngsters. I don’t want to retire I love the game and have a lot of respect and passion for the game. “It’s not that I’m not given contract but more to give opportunity to the youngsters. I’m grateful to CSA they are the one who gave me the opportunity and I’m here today,” Tahir who is set to retire from ODIs after the World Cup said. He further said his IPL exposure would help him immensely in the World Cup. “In this league, you play against the top players in the world. I’m not going to get them if I am bowling at the nets. I am really grateful to IPL and CSA to give me the opportunity.” On his unique celebration to run in the field after taking a wicket, he said: “It’s just pure passion. I really don’t know what I do. It’s just pure passion that I’ve for the game and I just go and express that.” “Playing for CSK, one of the best franchises in the world, I’ve to show people how much I love and respect this team,” he signed off.<doc-sep>Kolkata Knight Riders will host Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens on Sunday | Photo - AP/IANS | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a blockbuster clash at the Eden Gardens in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. Despite facing two back to back losses in their last two outings, KKR sit comfortably on the second spot in the table, courtesy a better net run rate. The Dinesh Karthik-led side will be eager to bounce back to winning ways and avenge their loss against MS Dhoni's men at Chepauk, earlier this season. KKR will have their task cut out against a CSK side which has remained unbeaten in their last three games and are dominating the proceedings once again this season. The defending champions have been on a roll under skipper Dhoni and have faced just one defeat in seven games as they aim to continue their stellar run. Here are the playings of KKR and CSK for today's clash: Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w/c), Andre Russell, Shubman Gill, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Harry Gurney Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir Chennai Super Kings defeated Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets in a last-ball thriller in their last outing making Dhoni the first-ever captain to bag 100 wins in IPL. The controversy-marred game also saw the veteran wicket-keeper batsman lose his cool in a rare instance as he confronted the on-field umpires after a controversial no-ball call in the final over of the game. CSK won the last-ball thriller after a six off the final ball from Mitchell Santner. The defending champions will head into the KKR clash on a confident note as thy aim to consolidate the top spot. They have a formidable batting unit with the likes of Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu in their ranks. Almost everyone has been in fine form and contributed with the bat. Dhoni himself has been in destructive touch and is currently the leading run-getter for his side this season. He slammed a brilliant half-century against Royals in CSK's last game and will look to carry on his purple patch on a batting friendly Eden Gardens track. Deepak Chahar and Imran Tahir have been phenomenal with the ball for CSK and will play a crucial role in the team's success on Sunday. Harbhajan Singh will miss the clash due to a neck injury and in the veteran spinner's absence, Dhoni will have a big challenge to contain the mighty Andre Russell, who has been slaughtering bowling attacks game after game. Karthik will hope for a good show from his bowling unit which hasn't clicked so far. While Dwayne Bravo remains out for CSK, KKR are unlikely to have Chris Lynn back for the game. Sunil Narine might miss out again due to injury. Here are 4 players to watch out for in Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings (KKR vs CSK) clash: MS Dhoni - Dhoni has been instrumental in CSK's success so far this season and has been firing with all cylinders with the willow. The skipper has amassed 214 runs in seven games this season and is his side's highest run-getter. He can prove to be the game-changer once again at the Eden Gardens, where the batsmen will have the edge. Andre Russell - This has been Andre Russell's tournament so far. The KKR all-rounder has almost single-handedly won his side games from improbable situations. He is in destructive touch and needs to be stopped if CSK are to fancy their chances in the game. Faf du Plessis - The South African skipper has been consistently producing crucial knocks for his side since playing his first game against Kings XI Punjab, where he scored an impressive 54. He has scored 104 runs in three games for CSK and will be eyeing to give his side a good start against KKR on Sunday. Shubman Gill - In Lynn and Narine's absence, Gill has been given the responsibility to open the innings with Joe Denly. He scored a brilliant 65 off 39 deliveries against Delhi Capitals after opening the batting in his side's last game and will look to continue his fine form. Predicted XIs: Chennai Super Kings: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Scott Kuggeleijn, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir Kolkata Knight Riders: Joe Denly, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Suni Narine / Carlos Brathwaite, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Lockie Ferguson<doc-sep>
IPL 2019, CSK vs KKR: Chennai Super Kings win toss and opt to bowl first vs Kolkata Knight Riders Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 23 of IPL 2019 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Tuesday. Both teams are unchanged. Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w/c), Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Harry Gurney, Prasidh Krishna Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Scott Kuggeleijn, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir PREVIEW: A cursory glance at the points table and you would feel that both Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are on equal footing with just the net-run rate drawing a wedge between them. To an extent they are. But take a closer look and the differences are quite visible. While KKR look a deadly combo of youth and old, CSK have continued to put their faith on veterans who against all odds deliveries them a third title last season. In terms of strength, the common thread between the two sides is their spinners. If KKR boast of Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla, CSK have Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja. Their meeting in Match 23 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) could very well turn out to be a battle of spinners with the Chennai pitch favouring the slow bowlers from day one. Both teams are coming on the back of satisfying victories. While CSK got the better of Kings XI Punjab, KKR crushed Rajasthan Royals on Sunday night. With MS Dhoni time and again proving his tactical mastery, it will be quite a contest as he plans to negate the threat of a red-hot KKR batting line-up, powered a of Andre Russell who is having a dream start to the season.