IPL 2022, CSK vs KKR Highlights: Dhoni's valiant fifty in vain as Kolkata register comfortable six-wicket win

That's all the action we have for you today. Thank you so much for joining us for the tournament opener. We will be back tomorrow for two exciting games - Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore. Until then, it's goodbye. This is Ameya signing off!

Umesh Yadav claims the Player of the Match award for his 2/20 in four overs.

"There is always tension when MS Dhoni is batting. I knew momentum was going to shift towards them with the dew around. It was difficult to grip the ball. Enjoying the new franchise," says Shreyas on the win.

The tournament opener was all about experienced players like Dhoni, Rahane and Umesh defying their age and proving their calibre and fitness. With the win, Kolkata also improve their head-to-head stats and dismal win record at the Wankhede. 

"Dew will be the vital part in this edition. If you win the toss, you will look to bowl first. The wicket was a little damp in the first 6-7 overs. We were trying to take the game deep. Everybody bowled well given the dew. Bravo bowled very well," says Jadeja on the defeat.

What a start to the IPL 2022! Umesh Yadav ran through the Chennai top-order before Dhoni notched up a valiant fifty to bail the defending champions out from a precarious situation. 

But the 131-run total was too easy for Kolkata, who chased it down with nine balls to spare. Ajinkya Rahane scored 44 and Nitish Rana (21), Sam Billings (25) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (20 not out) also chipped in with vital cameos.

Shreyas shuffles across the crease and hits Milne for a boundary... and he begins his captaincy spell with a comfortable win over Chennai Super Kings.

And Shreyas finishes it off with a boundary! Kolkata start their campaign with a six-wicket win over defending champions Chennai.

Just three needed off 10 balls with Shreyas and Sheldon Jackson in the middle.

Most wickets in IPL

170 L Malinga/D Bravo*

166 A Mishra

157 P Chawla

150 Harbhajan

Billings departs on 25... and Bravo is level now with Malinga in the list of most IPL wickets!

Six runs! Billings wants to wrap this up quickly. He dances down the track against Jadeja and slams it over long-on for a maximum.

KKR 122-3

Slower delivery again from Bravo and Billings picked it early to slice it to backward square leg. Just 19 runs needed off last four overs.

KKR 113/3

Brilliant from Bravo! A slower one that dipped as well. The West Indian is just one wicket short of equalling Lasith Malinga in the list of most IPL wickets.

Six overs left and 34 to get... and Billings isn't afraid to try out some reverse sweeps against Jadeja. Six off the over including four singles. Kolkata would breeze past the finish line at this pace.

KKR 104/3

Jadeja decides to take the review but it was clearly touching Billings' gloves. Chennai waste the review… and it's time for a time-out.

KKR 98/3

The ball is gripping on the wicket and Chennai can pile further pressure on Kolkata if they bowl a few more dot balls here. Sam Billings has joined Shreyas in the middle. The asking rate is just 5.40 and Chennai need wickets here. 

Back of the length delivery and Rahane hits it straight to Jadeja at mid-wicket. The CSK skipper doesn't drop those. Rahane departs on 44.

The advantage for Kolkata right now is the asking rate, which is below six. Shreyas and Rahane can comfortably steer Kolkata past the finish line if they stick around for five more overs.

KKR 83/2

Taken by Rayudu right at the edge of the circle! Bravo takes the pace off and gets his second. Rana has to walk back for 21.

KKR 76/2

It was drifting down the pads and Rahane, who has looked brilliant so far, isn't going to miss out on those. Bravo looks anguished as Rahane glances it down the leg for a boundary.

Take that! Santner tosses it up and Rana smokes it over mid-wicket for a huge six. Skipper Shreyas, who has pushed Rana up the order, appreciates the hit from the dugout. Kolkata in the driver's seat with just 62 needed off 11 overs… And it's time for strategic timeout.

50 up for Kolkata as Dube concedes 15 from his first over. Expensive from Dube! Rana welcomed him with a lofted cover drive and cut one that was bowled outside off. To make things worse, Dube conceded four byes on the penultimate delivery.

KKR 59/1

Almost a wicket maiden there! Bravo gives away just one and takes the vital wicket of Venkatesh, who edges it to Dhoni. And, Bravo celebrates the wicket by flaunting some new dance moves. Rana joins Rahane after Chennai finally end the opening stand.

KKR 44/1

Dwayne Bravo into the attack and he gets the breakthrough! Venkatesh Iyer walks back after scoring 16.