Dhoni, who relinquished the leadership role just two days ago, smashed an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls to take CSK to 131 for 5 with the bat.
But, KKR, who lost to CSK in last season’s summit clash, chased down the target with nine balls to spare, as India batsman Ajinkya Rahane smashed a 34-ball 44.
Rahane, who was bought by KKR for Rs 1 crore after playing very few matches for Delhi Capitals last season, was in good form with six boundaries and a six during his innings. He put on 43 runs for the opening wicket with Venkatesh Iyer (16) and it was the highest partnership for KKR in the end.
Nitish Rana (21), new captain Shreyas Iyer (20 not out) and Sam Billings (25) made useful contributions to get KKR off to a winning start to the tournament.
Iyer thus started the KKR captaincy with a win, while his counterpart Ravindra Jadeja, who replaced the iconic Dhoni as the CSK captain, began his stint with a defeat.
Iyer scored the winning run, a four, as KKR scored 133 for 4 in 18.3 overs.
Dwayne Bravo (3/20) took three wickets to equal Mumbai Indians’ Lasith Malinga in the list of highest wicket-takers in IPL history.
Earlier, KKR displayed a clinical bowling performance to restrict CSK to 131/5.
CSK crossed the 130-run mark thanks to Dhoni’s unbeaten 50 off 38 balls (7×4; 1×6) and skipper Jadeja’s 26 not out off 28 balls (1×6). Dhoni’s last IPL half-century was an unbeaten 84 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 21, 2019.
With the flow of an old Dhoni, CSK scored 47 runs in the last three overs.
“When MS Dhoni is batting there is always tension. I knew the momentum was going to move towards him with the dew around. It was difficult to hold the ball,” Iyer said in the post-match presentation.
“Enjoying the new franchise. The CEO, management, support staff have been excellent. Just need to keep the momentum going.”
Invited to bat, CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (0) was dismissed cheaply by pacer Umesh Yadav (2/20) after being caught by Nitish Rana in the slip cordon.
The typical Wankade track, which had a good amount of bounce, helped the KKR bowlers and they made the most of it.
Devon Conway (3) and Robin Uthappa (28 off 21 balls) then tried to revive CSK’s innings but could only add 28 runs for the second wicket.
Conway looking rusty turned out to be Umesh Yadav’s second scalp.
Uthappa was brutal on Shivam Mavi, whom he smacked for a boundary in the second over followed by another boundary and a maximum in the fourth over. Meanwhile, he hit Umesh for a six.
But his stay was cut short in the eighth over when he was stumped by Shadlon Jackson off Varun Chakraborty (1/23) as CSK found themselves in trouble at 49/3.
A formidable mix between Ambati Rayudu (15 off 17 balls) and Jadeja as they slipped further to 52/4, leading to the former’s dismissal. After 10 overs, CSK were fighting at 57/4.
CSK lost their half for 61 after Shivam Dubey (3) delivered a sitter to Sunil Narine at short-midwicket off paceman Andre Russell.
Then, Jadeja and Dhoni added 70 runs for the sixth wicket to take CSK to a respectable total. The past and present captain’s pairing was initially a barrage of dot balls but Dhoni hit three boundaries in the 18th over as CSK scored 14 runs.
Showcasing a glimpse of his famous match-finishing skills, Dhoni hit a boundary and a six in the final over, giving CSK 15 runs.
The duo added 18 runs in the final over, with Jadeja hitting a six off the final ball as CSK added 74 runs in the last 10 overs.
However, in the end it proved to be insufficient.
Jadeja said that dew will be an important part of this season.
“The wicket was a bit damp in the first 6-7 overs and then it came well into the back end of the innings. We were trying to take the game deeper. Everyone bowled well considering the dew. Bravo did a lot. Bowled well.”
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