KKR vs CSK: Devon Conway hands CSK with solid start, registers fourth consecutive fifty

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were handed a solid start against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), courtesy of yet another majestic fifty registered by the flamboyant opener, Devon Conway. The two sides have squared off at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata in match 33 of the ongoing IPL 2023 on Sunday, April 23.

Notably, N Jagadeesan returned to the field as he took over the gloves from Litton Das as the latter missed out due to injury. In addition to this, Namibia’s veteran all-rounder David Wiese made his first appearance in the top-tier league since 2016.

KKR won the toss and decided to put the visiting team to bat first. What followed was a commanding start by the opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, as they got 59 runs in the powerplay (1-6 overs).

Devon Conway-Ruturaj Gaikwad put CSK in a commanding position against KKR

Furthermore, the duo set up a 73-run stand to hand CSK, a solid foundation for the innings. Despite the dismissal of Gaikwad, Conway continued to play his natural game and notched up a well-built fifty off 34 balls with three sixes and as many fours.

Just when the batter seemed to cruise towards bigger innings, he perished while trying to loft Varun Chakravarthy over long-off and was pouched by Wiese. The swashbuckling southpaw concluded his innings with a score of 56 runs off 40 balls and got three maximums and four boundaries to his name. 

In doing so, Conway maintained his purple patch with the bat as he notched up his fourth half-century on the trot. The CSK opener has compiled impressive scores of 1, 47, 0, 50, 83, and 77* in his last six outings and amassed 258 runs in his campaign thus far.

Speaking about CSK's season, MS Dhoni and Co. stand third in the points table, with four wins and two losses. The side emerged victorious in their last two outings against RCB and SRH with Conway playing instrumental knocks in both fixtures. Furthermore, Conway will look to maintain his purple patch in the upcoming games and fight hard for the Orange Cap.