Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad played a pivotal role in Chennai Super Kings’ 32-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in their latest IPL match. With impressive figures of 3-21, Ahmad helped secure back-to-back wins for Chennai, lifting them to eighth place in the standings.
Chennai’s batting display was anchored by Sanju Samson and Dewald Brevis. Samson scored 48 runs while Brevis contributed 41, helping the team set a competitive total of 192-5 after being invited to bat first at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. This performance marked a significant turnaround for Chennai, who had initially struggled with three consecutive defeats.
In response, Kolkata struggled to maintain pace with their run chase. Noor Ahmad’s left-arm wrist spin proved damaging, limiting the visitors to 160-7. Kolkata’s innings suffered early setbacks, losing key wickets including that of captain Ajinkya Rahane and star recruit Cameron Green in quick succession. Despite attempts by Rovman Powell, who finished with an unbeaten 31, the team could not keep up with the required run rate.
Player of the match Noor Ahmad expressed confidence in his contributions, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Rahane, reflecting on Kolkata’s performance, encouraged his team to remain positive and maintain self-belief as they looked to break out of their winless streak. Currently, Kolkata is positioned last in the league standings with just one point, earned from a game that was washed out.
Chennai is eagerly awaiting the return of their veteran player M.S. Dhoni, who is sidelined due to a calf injury. His experience is anticipated to add depth to the team as they continue to build on their recent successes.
In the earlier phases of the match, Chennai’s innings benefited from quick runs. Ayush Mhatre, in particular, provided momentum with a rapid 38 off 17 balls. The combination of effective partnerships and solid contributions from other players secured a challenging total that ultimately proved too much for Kolkata, struggling to find form this season.