The ongoing game between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) witnessed a remarkable beginning, courtesy of Tushar Deshpande’s stellar performance on Monday (April 8) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

CSK’s Decision to Bowl First

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss set the stage for an intriguing encounter against KKR’s formidable opening duo, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine.

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Tushar Deshpande wasted no time in proving his captain’s decision right. Opening the bowling attack, Deshpande dismissed the dangerous Phil Salt for a duck with his very first delivery of the game. Salt attempted a big shot off a back-of-length delivery outside the off stump, only to find Ravindra Jadeja’s safe hands at backward point.

Entry into the Elite Club

Deshpande’s early breakthrough earned him a prestigious place in the annals of cricket history. He joined an elite list of CSK bowlers, becoming only the fourth player and the first since 2018 to claim a wicket on the first ball of a game for CSK. This feat places him alongside the likes of Lakshmipathy Balaji, Albie Morkel, and Deepak Chahar.

CSK Bowler to take wicket on the first ball in IPL:

• Lakshmipathy Balaji v DC, 2009
• Albie Morkel v DCH, 2009
• Deepak Chahar v SRH, 2018
• Tushar Deshpande v KKR, 2024

CSK’s Recent Performance

After starting the season with two victories, CSK encountered setbacks in their last two matches. With high hopes pinned on Deshpande’s impactful start, CSK aims to regain their winning momentum against KKR.

KKR’s Winning Streak

In contrast, KKR has enjoyed an unbeaten run in IPL 2024, securing victories in all three of their previous encounters. The team looks forward to extending their triumphant streak against CSK.

Match Update: CSK vs KKR

After losing the toss, KKR opened for batting but kept on losing the wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 8 April. They scored 137/9 in 20 overs and gave Ruturaj’s CSK 138 runs target to chase. For CSK, Tushar Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja picked three wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman took two wickets and Maheesh Theekshana clinched one.