KKR skipper Eoin Morgan fined for slow over-rate against CSK

KKR captain Eoin Morgan has been fined INR 12 lakhs after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their match against CSK. This was KKR’s first violation of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct concerning the minimum over-rate offences. Earlier, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma was also fined Rs 12 lakh for a slow over-rate during their match against DC. Mumbai Indians lost the game by six wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

KKR had entered Wednesday's contest on the back of successive losses. The team conceded over 200 runs and a forgettable performance from the team's top order. Kolkata Knight Riders registered their third consecutive defeat of the season. The great innings from the trio of Pat Cummins, Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik proved insufficient as Chennai triumphed over Kolkata and sealed the number one spot in the points table.

Chennai Super Kings are leading the point table with three wins

Chennai Super Kings are once again back in action after their awful IPL season last year. After four games, the yellow army is top of the league with six points and a net run rate of +1.142. The previous year in UAE was an aberration when the three-time Indian Premier League champions had failed to reach the playoffs. 

Talking about the game, CSK posted a mammoth total of 220/3 from their 20 overs. Kolkata had won the toss and opted to bowl first. Opening batsmen Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis formed a crucial partnership of 115 runs for the opening wicket. After playing a great inning, Ruturaj was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy in the 13th over. South African batsman Faf then continued his splendid performance with the bat. He troubled the Kolkata bowlers but missed out on a well-deserved century. The opening batsman remained unbeaten on a 60-ball 95 at a strike rate of 158.33; including nine boundaries and four sixes.

In response, the two-time IPL winners were struggling down the barrel at 31/5 before Powerplay. However, the middle-order duo of Andre Russell (54) and Dinesh Karthik (40) formed an essential partnership of 81-runs for the sixth wicket. Lower-order batsman Pat Cummins then fought a lone battle with his unbeaten 34-ball 66 at a strike rate of 194.12. This brilliant knock included four boundaries and six maximums. However, the all-rounder did not receive any support from the other end. Kolkata Knight Riders were eventually bundled out for 202 in the final over. 

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