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Thursday, May 17, 2012

IPL 2012 – Punjab remain in hunt after thrashing Chennai in a low-scorer

The return of Adam Gilchrist boosted Punjab as they recorded a much-needed win with one match remaining and hopes still alive for a play-off birth. Their seamers restricted Chennai top a very low score which they chased down easily thanks to their captain who remained not out.

Match Report: 66th Match, Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings, Dharamsala, 17 May 2012.

On a pitch having greenish tinge, Adam Gilchrist had no hesitation in putting Chennai in to bat after winning the turn of the coin. His seamers, Praveen Kumar, Parvinder Awana and Azhar Mahmood got in the thick of things under helpful conditions and restricted Chennai to 120 for 7 in 20 overs.  They bagged two wickets each, with Awana being the most economical.

Gilchrist took four catches behind as no batsman could break free even after getting starts. Dwayne Bravo resisted and he was the main architect behind whatever Chennai could get in the end. He made 48 in 43 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes.

In reply, openers Mandeep Singh and Gilchrist sealed the initiative by posting 51 for the first wicket. After Mandeep was cleaned up by Morkel, Bravo brought Chennai back with two quick strikes but Gilly was there to guide the chase for his team.

They reached the target in the 17th over with Gilly remaining unbeaten on 46-ball 64 that contained 9 fours and 2 sixes. He was obviously the Man of the Match.
Chennai has finished with 17 points and need a miracle to qualify for the play-offs, while Punjab have 16 points with a tough game against Delhi to play.


Summarised Scores:

Kings XI Punjab 123/4 (Gilchrist 64*, DJ Bravo 2/18) beat Chennai Super Kings 120-7 (DJ Bravo 48, Awana 2/12) by 6 wickets

Man of the Match: Adam Gilchrist


Image credit: AFP

IPL 2012 – Bravo’s last-ball six seals it for Chennai


Dwayne Bravo gave Chennai an important win in a thrilling contest by producing last-ball six off Rajat Bhatia. Kolkata were winning till late in the match when MS Dhoni turned the tables in the penultimate over with a couple of fours and a six.
Match Report: Indian Premiere League, 63rd match, Kolkata Knite Riders v Chennai Super Kings, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Kolkata, May 14, 2012 – D/N

Kolkata posted a decent total after they were asked to bat first at their home ground. Skipper Gautam Gambhir and Brendan McCullum gave their team a rollicking start of 99 in 11.3 overs. Shadab Jakati struck twice to hold them back as they finished the innings at 158 for 6. Gambhir made 67 off 43 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes.

In reply, Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay matched Kolkata’s start by posting 97 for the first wicket in just over 10 overs. Both openers were removed by impressive Sunil Narine but not before Hussey had laid a good foundation with a personal score of 56 with 4 fours and as many sixes.


They were on course but lost the way in the middle order as Kolkata fought back with a few quick scalps. MS Dhoni steadied the ship again and after getting 18 runs off the 19th over the equation was more in favour of Chennai than Kolkata.  Bhatia bowled a tight last over until Bravo thumped his last ball, a low full toss, for a six to start celebrations in the Chennai camp.

The victory keeps Chennai in the hunt.


Summarised Scores:

Chennai Super Kings 160/5 (M Hussey 56, Narine 2/14) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 158/6 (G Gambhir 62, S Jakati 2/26) by 5 wickets

Man of the Match: M Hussey


Image Credit: AFP

IPL 2012 – Gayle power downs Mumbai

Chris Gayle led Bangalore to an easy win over Mumbai at their home ground. The modest total posted by the home team thanks to late order hitting by returnee Kieron Pollard and captain Harbhajan Singh was not enough on the day.

Match Report: Indian Premiere League, 54th match, Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 9 May 2012 – D/N

Bangalore opted to field after winning the toss as they decided to leave out Daniel Vettori once again. Tendulkar could not go on after having another start while the top order failed on a sluggish surface. Dinesh Karthik held the innings together but the real push was provided in the closing overs by Harbhajan Singh and Pollard.

For Mumbai, Muralitharan, Vinay Kumar and Harshal Patel grabbed two wickets each. The target was a mediocre 142.

Bangalore lost Dilshan rather cheaply but Chris Gayle and skipper Virat Kohli brought them home in 18 overs. Gayle was in his usual best, scoring 82 in 59 balls with 5 fours and 6 sixes. He was named man of the match for his blitzkrieg.
 

Summarised Scores:

Royal Challengers Bangalore 142/1 (Gayle 82*) beat Mumbai Indians 141/6 (Dinesh Karthik 44, Muralitharan 2/24) by 9 wickets

Man of the Match: Chris Gayle


Image Credit: AFP