CSK still in the reckoning!

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) delivered when it badly mattered as it upset title-favourites Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 8 wickets at Dubai (UAE) in the ongoing IPL-XIII.

Do-or-die match for CSK

Stung by criticism of being a team of ‘seniors’, CSK was under pressure to win three successive matches to earn 12 points (overall) to give it a semblance of (arithmetical) chance to enter the play-offs.  As such, it was a do-or-die tie for CSK.

CSK bowlers come to the party

RCB won the toss in the first match of Sunday’s double-header at Dubai, a day-match under scorching heat.  It batted first and hit quite a few boundaries before losing Finch to Curran in the fourth over.  In-form Padikkal fell in the seventh over to Santner, bringing ‘King’ Kohli and ‘3600’ de Villers together.  It appeared to be a wicket on the slower side but IPL’s most successful batting partners rotated the strike nicely before de Villiers fell for 39 in the 18th over when he was looking for some big shots.

Kohli compiled a 43-ball 50 before he and Moeen fell to Curran in the 19th over.  RCB couldn’t go past the ‘psychological barrier’ of 150 runs and could only score 145/6, leaving CSK to score 146 off 120 balls.  CSK’s bowlers bowled a disciplined line and length, never allowing RCB batters to get on top.  Curran took 3/19 in three overs while the ever-dependable Chahar took 2/31 in four overs.  Santner was economical while Tahir tried his best.    

Ruturaj shows glimpses of greatness

In reply, CSK romped home comfortably in the 19th over with 8 balls and 8 wickets to spare.  Openers Ruturaj and du Plessis started hitting big shots right from the first over. du Plessis hit a 13-ball 25 before getting out in the 6th over.  Rayudu (27-ball 39) shared a 67-run partnership with 23-year old Ruturaj who looked promising right from the word go.  He first hit Santner for a huge six and finished the match with yet another huge six of Morris when the 1 run was needed for a win.  He was rightly adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’.  MSD hit three 4’s in his 21-ball 19 to remain unbeaten along with Gaikwad.  Slimly-built Ruturaj was all class and hit his shots using silken touch and timing.

With 8 points from 12 games, CSK now has to beat KKR and KXIP in its two remaining matches to reach the 12-point mark and pray for the results of the other matches to see whether it has a chance of making the play-offs.

Match in brief 

RCB: 145/6 (20 overs)

CSK: 150/2 (18.4 overs)

Man of the Match: Ruturaj Gaikwad

Photo Courtesy : T20.com