CHENNAI, India (CMC) — Impressive death bowling by West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo stifled an easy run chase and fired Chennai Super Kings to a close two run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday.
Bravo grabbed three wickets for 22 runs from three overs, which restricted KKR to 132 for nine in 20 overs after aggressive bowling from fellow West Indian Andre Russell helped to restrict CSK to a paltry 134.
Another West Indian, Dwayne Smith, hit 25 from 19 balls, the second highest score for CSK in the low-scoring encounter at the M Chinaswamy stadium at Chennai.
Faf du Plessis was not out on a top score of 29 on a pitch that did not allow for free scoring with the exception of Smith who counted three fours and a six, Brandon McCullum who scored 19 and Robin Uthappa 39 for the opposition.
Russell, who was run out for four during the chase, finished with two for 26 from four overs, removing the wickets of Suresh Raina for 17 and M S Dhoni for three.
KKR started off quite positively despite Gautam Gambhir‘s early wicket as Robin Uthappa took the attack to the bowlers smashing 39 off 16.
However, things drastically turned after he was dismissed and no other batsman managed to put up a fight.
But with 17 runs needed in the final over, Ryan ten Doeschate smashed a six and two fours off Bravo just as the balls ran out.
Bravo, whose wicket haul included two in one over and who was also involved in two other dismissals including a stunning grab to remove Suryakumar Yadav, was named man of the match.
“It was a great team effort. Disappointed with the way I got out, so I wanted to do something special,” said Bravo who was caught for five.
“Catch was really special, reminded me about four-five years ago. Body is still holding up and it’s a great feeling to know I helped the team win. This situation is what I prepare myself for.”
Super Kings have now won nine home matches in a row, and are at the top of the table with a match in hand.
KKR played without their front line bowler, West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who is undergoing a new round of tests of his bowling action.