Chennai Super Kings came up with a near flawless performance to register a comprehensive 97-run win over Kings XI Punjab and power to the top of the table last night.
– James Anderson haul helps England to 2nd Test victory
– Pakistan’s Rahat Ali out of Bangladesh Test series
– Bangladesh teenager Mustafizur Rahman rips through Pakistan
Making the most of a slow surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai first posted 192 for three, with solid contributions from the entire top order.
Brendon McCullum was again in fine form, scoring 66 off 44 balls and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipping in with 41 from 27 balls.
In reply, the Kings XI batsmen never got going and once spinners Ravindra Jadeja (3-22) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2-14) joined forces, they stood no chance and were restricted to 95 for nine in their allotted overs.
With the win, Chennai took the top spot in the IPL table thanks to a better net run rate than Rajasthan Royals, who also have 10 points.
Punjab started the chase badly, losing opener Virender Sehwag (one) to the fifth ball of the innings. They never recovered from that early jolt as the Australian duo of Shaun Marsh (10) and skipper George Bailey (one) went back to the pavilion in succession and they were reduced to 40 for three in the seventh over.
Ashwin and Jadeja then knocked the wind out of Punjab’s sails as they picked up wickets at regular intervals to put their team on the path to a comprehensive victory.
Between them, Jadeja and Ashwin gave away just 36 runs in their eight overs and bowled as many as 24 dot balls to stifle the Punjab batting line-up.
The slow bowlers were well supported by left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra, who grabbed two wickets for 16 runs and continued his great run in this IPL.
Earlier, an all-round batting display propelled Chennai’s innings as their top order batsmen got going. Openers Dwayne Smith and McCullum started with a bang and put 50 on the board in just 4.4 overs.
Smith scored 26 off 13 balls, with the help of three fours and two sixes, and even his dismissal didn’t slow down the run rate.
Brendon McCullum MOTM with 66 from 44 for #csk v #rcb in @IPL. Here’s a six from Mitch Johnson to bring up 50: http://t.co/zOEuAj34b1 ^RI
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 25, 2015
McCullum kept the scorers busy and added 66 for the second wicket with Suresh Raina (29 off 25). Their task was made easier by Punjab fielders who were sloppy on the field and dropped several catches.
Even after McCullum fell, having hit eight fours and three sixes, Chennai were well placed at 116 for two in 12.1 overs. Captain Dhoni then took charge and ensured a strong end to the innings with some lusty blows.
He hit two sixes and as many fours in an entertaining knock. It was a thoroughly professional performance by Chennai and Dhoni lauded his team for a fine win.
“I think it was one of the most convincing victories we have had throughout the IPL,” he said after the match. “The spinners made the most of a helpful pitch. Nehra was fantastic as well. He has experience and has not slowed down with age.”
Openers McCullum and Smith also came in for some praise.
He added: “They are aggressive but at the same time can also play measured cricket. Even Smith does not play too many fancy strokes. That is why they are more successful than other openers.”
