Thursday, May 12, 2011

Chennai Super Kings beat Deccan Chargers by 19 runs

Chennai: Chennai Super Kings bowlers displayed lot of discipline at the death to defeat Deccan Chargers by 19 runs in an IPL match at the Chepauk today.

Chasing a stiff target of 166, the defending champions restricted Chargers to 146 for eight in 20 overs despite a flying start by the visitors.

Pint sized Chargers opener Sunny Sohal (56, 30 balls, 6x4, 4x6) initially scared Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men with some clean hitting but once he was gone CSK came back into the match. Credit should be given to CSK as Chargers had raced to 71 for no loss in only 6.4 overs courtesy Sohal.

In Image: Chennai Super Kings bowler Doug Bollinger(2nd R) celebrates taking the wicket of Deccan Chargers batsman Kumar Sangakara with his teammates

Text: PTI

Images: AFP





Dhoni made some smart bowling changes and his bowlers led by Albie Morkel (3/38 and 19 off 6 balls), Doug Bollinger (2/26) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0/23 off 4 overs) bowled well in the final overs as CSK notched up their fifth win eight matches and are now fourth in the points table.

Sohal scored the fastest 50 of this edition when he reached the landmark in 24 deliveries with the help of a flat batted six off Ravichandran Ashwin. Sohal's approach was a bit unorthodox but yielded rich dividends.

When Morkel delivered a well-directed short-ball aimed at his rib-cage, he lost his balance hung his bat to get a four through third man region. But the little man wasn't unperturbed by short stuff as he made room moving towards leg-stump to hit Morkel over extra cover.

Such was Sohal's authority that his senior partner Shikhar Dhawan hadn't even reached double figures when he completed his 50. When Sohal departed trying an ugly reverse sweep to a low full-toss from Shadab Jakati onto his stumps.

Dhawan (19, 27 balls) who is having a lean patch was gone when he tried to hit Jakati over deep mid-wicket but the ball turned enough to castle him.

In Image: Deccan Chargers batsman Sunny Sohal is watched by Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he misses a shot to get out







Skipper Kumar Sangakkara (15, 1x4, 1x6) announced his arrival with a sweetly-timed boundary of Suraj Randiv followed by slog sweep off Jakati that got him six runs. Bharat Chipli (17) failed to keep down his flick and became Morkel's first victim.

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However, post Sohal's dismissal, the fizz was gone and suddenly the CSK bowlers looked like getting a hang of things.

In his bid to step up the rate, Sangakkara moved towards off-stump trying to guide a Doug Bollinger delivery past fine leg but couldn't connect as the ball hit middle stump. After that it was about holding their nerves which CSK bowlers did.

In Image: Deccan Chargers batsman Sunny Sohal plays a shot 





Earlier, a fine half century from Suresh Raina backed by superb slogging by Albie Morkel at the death helped defending champions Chennai Super Kings post commendable 165 for five against Deccan Chargers on a slow Chepauk track.

While Raina showed signs of returing to form with a 35-ball 59 (6x4, 2x6), it was Morkel (19, 6 balls, 3x6) who hit three of the biggest sixes in the penultimate over off Ishant Sharma's (4-0-41-0) bowling to spoil his figures.

The last five overs saw CSK smashing 69 runs with Raina, doing the bulk of the scoring.

Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey made quiet start before Pragyan OJha (3/26) dismissed Vijay.

Ojha angled one into Vijay (3, 14 balls) who was cramped for room while going for a cut-shot. Vijay was struggling to keep the scoreboard ticking on a slowish pitch and the dismissal only ended his misery.

Raina, who hasn't had a great IPL so far showed lot of composure on a slow track where one found it difficult to readily go after the bowling.

In Image: Suresh Raina plays a shot




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