Chennai, April 08: Reigning champions Chennai Super Kings began their title defence with a thrilling two-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders as the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League got off to a sensational start here today.
Chennai rode on opener Srikkanth Anirudha’s 64-run knock and his two partnerships with Suresh Raina (33) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29) to post 153 for four after electing to bat.
Their spinners bowled well and they restricted Kolkata to 151 for seven at the M A Chidamabaram stadium
Kolkata had lost five wickets at 120 by the 17th over but Manoj Tiwary (27 off 15) played a sensational cameo to bring them back in the match.
However, in the end Chennai won the battle of nerves as Tim Soutee gave away just six runs in the final over when Kolkata needed nine to win.
-Agencies