In a dominant display at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Chennai Super Kings outclassed the Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets, denting their perfect start to the IPL season. The architect of this triumph was the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, who turned the tide with a stellar all-around performance.

Jadeja’s brilliance wasn’t limited to bowling (3-18). Two stunning catches in the field showcased his athleticism and tactical nous, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the game’s finest. Kolkata, sent in to bat first, could only manage a modest 137 on a pitch that assisted the spinners.

Chasing a relatively small target, Chennai displayed clinical efficiency. Ruturaj Gaikwad, leading the charge with an unbeaten 67 (58), stitched together a crucial 70-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell (25 off 19) to lay the foundation for victory. Shivam Dube (21 off 18) provided the late flourish, ensuring Chennai crossed the line with 14 balls to spare.

The Knight Riders, who entered the contest on a three-match winning streak, were left licking their wounds. Their batting, barring contributions from skipper Shreyas Iyer (34), Sunil Narine (27), and Ankris Raghuvanshi (24), failed to fire. Openers Phil Salt (0) and Venkatesh Iyer (3) fell cheaply, putting them on the back foot early on.

Chennai’s bowling attack, led by the spin duo of Jadeja and Tusar Deshpande (3-27), choked the flow of runs. Mustafizur Rahman (2-22) and Mahesh Theekshana (1-28) chipped in with crucial wickets, ensuring Kolkata never got into a commanding position.

With this victory, Chennai Super Kings have climbed to the fourth spot in the IPL standings. Kolkata Knight Riders, despite their first loss, still hold onto second place.