Super Kings Blunt Kings XI Punjab Poser

23 April, 2010 |

Kings XI Punjab V Chennai Super Kings, 18th April 2010, IPL-III

Kings XI Punjab made a valiant effort to raise their game and in doing so posted 195 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s stadium in Dharamsala against the Chennai Super Kings. However, crucial boundaries by the opposing skipper MS Dhoni (54) saw the Chennai side achieve their target of 29 runs off the last two overs. Kings XI Punjab can only take heart that they tried their best.

Mixed Start

Winning the toss, Chennai Super Kings put the Lions in to bat, the question uppermost being whether the wicket would stay even for the batsmen or provide early wickets for the side bowling first. Left-handed Shaun Marsh did not disappoint today. He was to compile an unbeaten 88 which included 5 huge sixes and 8 fours. His opening partner Mahela Jayawardene played some delightful strokes until Sudeep Tyagi at mid off plucked off a parallel hit about two feet above his outstretched hand. A surprised Jayawardene walked back to the pavilion rueing his luck as he muttered to his team in the dugout that it was his best timed shot but, unfortunately, had missed getting over the infielder.

Shaun Marsh Shines

Thereafter, Kumara Sangakkara and Marsh saw Kings XI to the safe score of 90 for 1 wicket off 10.4 overs, setting up the stage for a blast in the end overs. Sangakkara fell to off-spin bowler R Ashwin for 33 (5 fours) and Yuvraj Singh couldn’t make merry as he was trapped leg-before by Suresh Raina. Undaunted, Shaun Marsh and Irfan Pathan (44, 1 six, 4 fours) combined to pick 99 runs off the remaining 8 overs, the Chandigarh-based franchise reached a satisfying 195.

In the bowling department, Albie Morkel, R Ashwin and Suresh Raina picked up a wicket each of the three that fell.

Kings XI Punjab Draw First Blood

When the Chennai Super Kings chased, Kings XI Punjab opened their bowling with off-spinner Ramesh Powar, a usual feature whenever the stocky bowling all-rounder is playing. Soon, he had the dangerous Matthew Hayden caught by Sangakkara and mini celebrations started off. Again, in his next over, Powar had the ebullient M Vijay stumped by Sangakkara to peg back the Chennai side to 27 for 2 off 4 overs.

Badri, Raina Stabilise

Thereafter, Suresh Raina and Badrinath rescued the Super Kings to post 89 before Raina was caught by Karan Goel off the bowling of ‘Rusty’ Theron at the same team total. At that stage 9.4 overs had elapsed and the India-capped left-hander had mustered 46, including 3 sixes and 5 fours.

Even Game

The fourth-wicket partnership for the Super Kings between Badrinath and MS Dhoni yielded 59 runs before Badrinath (53, 2 sixes, 7 fours) fell, stumped by Sangakkara off Chawla, at 16.4 overs with the team total at 148. The game was open, with 48 runs to get in 20 balls, although it seemed loaded in Kings XI Punjab’s favour. To the visitors’ advantage, however, two prolific hitters in Dhoni and the left-handed Morkel were at the crease.

Dhoni Clinches Victory

The equation at the end of the 18th over petered out to 29 runs being required by the Super Kings, the Kings XI Punjab bowlers having done their best to contain this volatile pair. One would have to concede that, again, the Lions had the upper hand. However, Dhoni decided to give his best today and treated the Chennai fans to a flurry of boundaries and then finally finished off with two huge sixes with two balls to spare.

Bowling

For Kings XI Punjab, Ramesh Powar bagged two wickets while Piyush Chawla and Theron got one each. Kings XI Punjab had played for pride and were never short of effort but the mercurial Indian skipper spoiled all plans.

The Horizon

With this match, the last of the league for Kings XI Punjab, the season did not finish favourably, but there was certainly some redemption. The side has shown an ability to come back from difficult situations and earned the reputation of being dangerous. The wheels are now in motion as the team management puts up a master plan for the next edition of the IPL. Good performances will be highlighted and a winning formula can definitely be found. After all, it is of logical estimations and getting the combination right. A side as talented as this will succeed after some learnings from the season passed.