Chennai pitch provided another high scoring opportunity as Kolkata Knight Riders scored 186 runs in the chase of 200 runs. There were four half-centuries in the match, 2 90s from a batsman each from both sides scoring, and 2 half-centuries from bowlers of both team. In the end as expected Kolkata batsmen failed them again while Chennai Super Kings held their nerves joining RCB on the top. Hussey’s approach to take on the main bowler of opponent yielded desired results. Missing his century by 5 runs with an inning less played he is 5 run short of snatching Orange Cap from Chris Gayle.
Match Facts
- CSK won by 14 runs
MOM: Michael Hussey
Final Score: 200/3 (CSK), 186/4 (KKR)
6 overs: 67/0 (CSK), 63/2 (KKR)
10 overs 103/0 (CSK), 85/2 (KKR)
50 runs: 5.1 ov (CSK), 5 ov (KKR)
100 runs: 9.3 ov ov (CSK), 12.3 ov (KKR)
6s/4s: 6/20 (CSK), 5/20 (KKR)
Best Bowling: 1/23 Mohit Sharma (CSK), 1/31 Bhatia (KKR)
Best Batting: 95 Hussey (CSK), Bisla (KKR)
CSKs Innings
Sent to bat first Michael Hussey had Saha, replacing Murali Vijay, for company and both had the best performance of season for CSK in the the first 10 overs becoming the second team after Delhi Daredevils to reach 100 runs at half-way. Saha fixed his place for next few games with 23-ball 39 runs (4 4s, 2 6s), and their partnership of 103 runs, CSKs 2nd of the season after their unbeaten opening partnership against Kings XI, was broken on the first ball of 11th over by Rajat Bhatia. Raina added 53 runs in 5 overs for 2nd wicket when Hussey (95 runs, 59 balls, 11 4s, 2 6s) missed his well-deserved century playing under extreme heat as Narine had him caught on boundary. Dhoni and Raina (25-ball 44 runs, 4 4s and a six) added further 42 runs in 4 overs. A last ball six by Dhoni (12-ball 18 runs) got CSK to 200/3.
For KKR bowlers there was no consolation. Yusuf Pathan started the innings but had 18/0 in 2 overs. Narine (35/1), Bhatia (31/1) were successful. But Shami Ahmed (20/0 in 2 ov), Kallis (50/0) and Balaji (45/0) were very expensive.
KKRs Chase of 201 runs
Looking to produce the 5th instance of IPL of chasing 200 runs or above, KKR had the best of the start with the first over Nannes producing 19 runs. 12 of those runs came as extras. Interesting was to see that Bisla was bowled on the free hit but the ball gallopped to boundary. On first legal ball of their innings they already had 10 runs scored with both batsmen yet to open their account.
4 boundaries by Bisla in the 5th over of the innings bowled by Morris helped KKR reach 51/1 and a run rate of 10. Morris bowled attacking Gambhir (8 ball 14 runs, 3 boundaries) in 3rd over of the inning. Brendum McCullum, playing his first innings of current IPL, joined Bisla. The run rate was sliding down as Jadeja also bowled economic first over.
In the 10th over, Bisla hit a six on the last ball of Ashwin’s first over to get KKR to 85/2. From then on scoring 116 runs in 10 overs was difficult for KKR as except Morgan they had none to score fast. Bisla scored 92 runs (61 balls, 14 4s, 2 6s). But except Morgan (unbeaten 32 runs, 22 balls, 2 4s, 2 6s) none could excel. Brendum McCullum (8 ball 14 runs) , Kallis 20-ball 19 runs, 1 six), and Yusuf Pathan (3 ball, 3 runs) failed to help the team’s cause.
Mohit Sharma was again economical giving only 7 runs in first 2 overs, and bowled Brendum McCullum in his third over. Overall he was the only bowler of the match to conceded below 6 runs per over with 23/1 in 4 overs. Ashwin had 26/0 in 3 overs, Morris 29/1 in 3 overs, while Bravo had 37/1 in his quota, Jadeja 13/0 in 2 overs and Nannes joined Kallis in conceding 50 runs without wicket in the match.
Bravo and Narine moved to joint 2nd place in the race to Purple Cap with 15 wickets each.
Leave a Reply