Ashwin Turns It for Chennai

Posted by Kedar in IPL on 04 14th, 2010 | no responses

Ashwin_ipl Chennai knows how to do it. They have been there in last two editions and they are getting there this time too. A must-win game for both teams but Chennai was clinical in their 9 wicket victory over Kolkata . They have not only won a match but also managed a good net run rate (NRR) by achieving a target of 140 in just 13.3 overs. Now with +0.35 NRR they have jumped to 2^nd place in points tally. This will be the deciding factor if two or more teams finish at same points for last three semifinal places.

Raina’s unbeaten 39-ball 78 and Murali Vijay’s solid knock of 50 not out of 40 balls after an early loss of Hayden ensured a thumping victory for Super Kings. Out-of-form Hayden picked the wrong delivery to sweep off-spinner Gayle and lost his wicket. But unbeaten partnership of 137 runs between in-form Raina and Vijay saw them home.Raina used the pace of the ball and picked his spot for big hits and at other end Murali Vijay continued his dream run. “Bondless” Kolkata looked vulnerable and none of them was capable enough to trouble the Chennai batter.

Early on Kolkata opted to bat first, but Dhoni had his plans in place and opened bowling with two of his in-form and economical bowlers and they did not disappoint him. Ashwin after getting hit for a huge six on the first delivery of his second over struck twice in the same over getting rid of dangerous Gayle and McCullum. The lanky off-spinner saw Chris Gayle charging down the ground, he shortened a length a touch, the ball spun past Gayle and Dhoni did the rest. On last ball of third over McCullum tried to sweep Ashwin but Muralitharan took a fine catch at fine-leg.

Poor Show by Gayle, Ganguly, McCullum and David Hussey

Then in very next over Bollinger was lucky to get Ganguly out. Ganguly was given LBW which clearly looked going down the leg side. Ashwin came back in 5^th over to give a final blow to Kolkata and slipped the ball down the leg-side when David Hussey stepped out; Dhoni was quick enough to take the bells off. Kolkata was reduced to 19-4 in 4.1 overs. From there on Kolkata needed a magical performance to make a match of it. 48 runs from Mattews were not enough to put a competitive total on board.

Off-spinning legend Muttiah Muralitharan had an off-day but rest of Chennai attack was spot on. Bollinger finished with 15-2 and Jakati took 1 for 23. It was Ashwin who stole the show. The Man-of-the-Match Ashwin was exceptional with 4-0-16-3 that too in power play. If we combine his last two performances then his figures will be 8-0-29-5. Certainly this season he is doing a job for MSD. Chennai next plays Delhi in yet another make or break game but this victory must have boasted their confidence level.

P.S. Post match ceremony had some funny moments. Dhoni generally a good elocutionist messed up this time. Harsha Bhogle said, “I know you come from Ranchi but I would never believe that you come from anywhere other than Chennai today.” Dhoni replied,” Ya, People in Chennai just love me. In the first edition when I used to go out biking at night whenever I used to stop in Red Light Areas, They always used to come up to me and speak in Tamil.” ROFL !!!! It was one of those slip of tongue incidents, but it was on national TV, captain cool. Can’t believe it, check here.

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