Ravindra Jadeja Breaks Records, Becomes CSK’s All-Time Leading Wicket-Taker in IPL Clash Against KKR
Welcome to an exhilarating chapter in IPL history! In a pulsating encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Ravindra Jadeja etched his name into the annals of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lore by becoming the franchise’s all-time leading wicket-taker during a clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday. This match wasn’t just about numbers; it was a showcase of grit, skill, and the undying spirit of T20 cricket.
Jadeja, the dynamic left-arm spinner, achieved this milestone by surpassing the legendary Dwayne Bravo, who previously held the record with 140 wickets for CSK. The moment of triumph came when Jadeja dismissed KKR’s seasoned batter Ajinkya Rahane, claiming his 141st wicket in the famous yellow jersey. With an illustrious IPL career tally of 168 wickets in 251 matches, Jadeja boasts an impressive economy rate of 7.65 and an average of 30.46. Not just a wizard with the ball, he has been a vital cog with the bat too, amassing 3,142 runs at an average of 27.32 and a strike rate of 129.57.
Interestingly, while Jadeja now leads CSK’s IPL wicket-takers’ chart, he is still slightly behind Bravo in overall T20 wickets for the franchise, with 150 wickets compared to Bravo’s 154. Bravo, now serving as KKR’s mentor, watched from the sidelines as his record was broken by the man often dubbed ‘Sir Jadeja’ by fans for his all-round brilliance. Trailing Jadeja on CSK’s IPL wicket-takers’ list are R. Ashwin with 95 wickets, and Deepak Chahar and Albie Morkel, each with 76 wickets.
Shifting focus to the match, KKR opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted a competitive 179-6 in their 20 overs. The innings kicked off with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine, but Gurbaz’s stay was short-lived as he fell to Anshul Kamboj for just 11 runs. KKR raced to 67/1 in the powerplay, thanks to a rapid 50-run partnership in 25 balls between Narine and Rahane. However, CSK’s young spinner Noor Ahmad turned the tide, striking twice in a single over to dismiss Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, disrupting KKR’s momentum.
Rahane anchored the innings with a composed 48 off 33 balls, including 4 boundaries and a six, before Jadeja snared him to claim his record-breaking wicket. Enter Andre Russell, the powerhouse all-rounder, who joined Manish Pandey at the crease. Their 46-run partnership off 27 balls injected much-needed aggression, with Russell smashing 38 off 21 balls, peppered with 4 fours and 3 sixes, until Noor Ahmad struck again. The late flourish came from Rinku Singh and Pandey, although Singh managed only 9 off 6 before falling to Noor, who finished with a stellar 4/31. Pandey, alongside Ramandeep Singh, added 16 runs in the final two overs to set CSK a challenging target of 180.
Noor Ahmad emerged as CSK’s bowling hero, while Jadeja and Kamboj chipped in with a wicket each. The rest of the CSK bowling unit toiled hard but remained wicketless on a pitch that offered something for both batters and bowlers. As the second innings unfolded, all eyes were on whether CSK could chase down the target and add another feather to their cap in this IPL 2023 season, with Jadeja’s historic achievement already lighting up the night.
In conclusion, this match was a testament to Ravindra Jadeja’s enduring legacy with CSK—a true all-rounder who continues to redefine excellence. From breaking records to turning matches with his guile, Jadeja’s journey is a celebration of consistency and passion. Stay tuned as we bring you the chase updates and more from this electrifying IPL showdown at Eden Gardens!