Tahir, Raina earn 5-wicket win for CSK, playoffs in sight

Kolkata, April 14

Imran Tahir spun a web before Suresh Raina found his mojo back with a half-century as Chennai Super Kings inched closer towards another playoff qualification with a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL match. Tahir spun the match in favour of Chennai with his twin double blows in the 11th and 15th overs en route his career-best IPL figures that took him past Kagiso Rabada in the leading wicket-takers’ tally.

After Tahir’s career-best 4/27 restricted KKR to 161/8, CSK coasted to the target in 19.4 overs as Raina anchored the chase with an unbeaten 58 off 42 balls with seven fours and one six. Ravindra Jadeja also played a cameo, hitting 31 off 17 balls to pave the way for the team’s seventh win in the eight games. 

Needing 24 runs off the last two overs, Jadeja smashed Harry Gurney for three successive fours to make it just a formality in the last over. 

Sunil Narine was the pick of KKR bowling with figures 2/19 that included a wicket-maiden when he cleaned up Faf du Plessis (24) to end the powerplay. But Raina held on at the other end with significant partnerships including a 40-run stand with skipper MS Dhoni. The defending champions’ fourth win on the trot consolidated their position atop the table with 14 points and one more win will virtually seal their spot in the playoffs. — PTI