Super Kings end losing streak with rousing win over Delhi

9th May 2008

The Chennai Super Kings have registered a thrilling 4-wicket victory against the Delhi Daredevils here at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Match 28 of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) in front of a capacity crowd today. MS Dhoni's team retrieved sweet revenge after they were drubbed by the Daredevils a fortnight ago.

Chasing a challenging total of 188, the left-handed opening duo of Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan (40) and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming (44) provided the visitors with a solid platform, amassing 62 runs in just about 6.1 overs before rookie left-arm seamer Pradeep Sangwan (2-29) dismissed Vidyut, caught by Dhawan at deep midwicket.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (33) walked out to the middle and looked extremely intent on prolonging the good start provided by his openers. He added a further 35 runs with Fleming before Asif dismissed the latter with de Villiers claiming the catch at short cover.

The in-form Suresh Raina (1) suffered a rare failure today as he fell victim to Sangwan in the 11th over with Chennai Super Kings placed at 98/3. Albie Morkel (30 from 15 balls, 3 sixes, 2 fours) joined Dhoni at the crease as the explosive duo added 40 runs in brisk time to put Chennai back on track in pursuit of the challenging target. The South African all-rounder was run out in the 15th over but had executed his job with a quick-fire cameo.

Morkel's dismissal brought Sri Lanka's IPL debutant Chamara Kapugedera to the crease with the required equation reading 49 runs off 35 balls with Dhoni still knocking around. The duo added a further 28 runs for the fifth wicket until India's ODI captain ran out of good luck, when AB de Villiers took the ‘catch of the night' when he dived full length at long-on and sent Dhoni back to the dugout. Yo Mahesh was the fortunate bowler.

It came down to 15 runs required off the last over with the slogging Manpreet Gony at the crease alongside the dangerous Subramaniam Badrinath. The crowds were left silent as Gony smashed the ball around with utmost conviction.

It proved to be a disastrous last over for the Daredevils as Sehwag handed the ball to Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik who bowled a juicy long hop in his very first delivery, that quite deservingly got belted for a soaring six over the on-side by Gony (13*).

Earlier, the powerful left-handed duo of Gautam Gambhir (80 from 49 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (59 from 46 balls) were at it again today courtesy a splendid partnership of 121 runs for the third wicket to guide the visitors to a handsome total of 187/5 on a flat Delhi track.

Gambhir and Dhawan came together in the sixth over after Sehwag (18) added 45 runs for the first wicket with Gambhir and perished in the fifth over, bowled by Manpreet Gony (1-36). AB de Villiers came into bat at number three and was clean bowled in his very first delivery when he came face to face with South African teammate Albie Morkel.

Gambhir smashed 11 glorious boundaries and a six to enthral the home fans, as he reclaimed the ‘Orange Cap' after emerging the leading run-scorer in the tournament. Dhawan smashed 6 boundaries and two sixes in his knock. Gambhir was eventually dismissed by Laxmipathy Balaji (2-35) when he chipped a delivery to point where Kapugedara snapped an easy catch. Dhawan was out five balls later when he made room for himself and tried to clear the inner ring off Morkel but found Kapugedara at long-on

Malik (2), Karthik (6*) and Tiwary (5*) failed to steer the team past 200 as Balaji conceded 11 runs off the last over and claimed the wicket of Malik. Morkel (2-35) and IPL debutant Balaji (2-35) were the pick of the bowlers for Chennai. Muttiah Muralidaran (0-25) was his usual economical self, conceding just above 6 runs per over from his four-over spell.

The Super Kings will next come up against the League toppers Kings XI Punjab on Saturday as they fly back home to Chennai. The Delhi Daredevils will square against the other League-topping team Rajasthan Royals on Sunday at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.