MS Dhoni – Chennai Super Kings
All the spectators were frenzied here in M.A. Chidambaram Stadium when Chennai Super Kings defended its IPL title, overpowering Royal Challengers Bangalore. A consecutive win for Dhoni and his men and yet again they proved that CSK on home grounds is unbeatable…ever!
MS Dhoni, Destiny’s second favourite child showed immense grit, determination and excellent confidence in team co-operation. After winning the toss, he chose very carefully but confidently about batting first.
Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay punished Bangalore severely thereafter .Both batsmen put on a phenomenal display of brute force hitting seven fours and nine sixes between them during their record opening partnership of 159 runs. They showed good cricketing skills by running well between wickets, exerting pressure on Bangalore’s fielders, who were playing their second match in as many days. The king size innings of these two batsmen was a good entertainment package for the wild audience too.
Murali Vijay undoubtedly saved his best for the tournament’s biggest occasion. He made wisely ignored the anxiety associated with grand finals and batted brilliantly. He cleared the ground with ease, depositing the ball in the stands with effortless, attractive strokes off both the seamer and the spin bowlers. The experienced Hussey complemented his younger partner, easing his path and picking up the pace to give Vijay the time he needed to recover in humid conditions. The left-handed and tired Hussey eventually fell caught at long-on off left-arm spinner Syed Mohammed’s bowling while trying for a boundary.
Vijay’s wicket was taken when he was just five short of a well-deserved century, getting dismissed by left-arm seamer S. Aravind, and left the ground to a standing ovation. Aravind struck with his next ball to remove Dhoni for 22. Three wickets down; the momentum took a lull, and finally after giving away two more prized wickets Chennai finished at 205 for five in 20 overs. Mike Hussey and Vijay created an IPL record of 159 runs for first wicket. The last over by Gayle was very exciting as he got two wickets, and only one run before Brave took his chances and finished the Chennai innings with a 6!
Bangalore had to clear a marathon chase for target 206.And all eyes were on all-rounder Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli. But as luck would have it, the RCB’s chase was impaired by off-spinner R. Ashwin .Gayle was tricked by Ashwin in the fourth ball of second innings and plop! Chris Gayle was gone! The power-packed disastrous striker could not even open his innings in the finals. Much to the relief of Chennai team, Gayle was caught behind for ‘duck’ in the first over!
Virat Kohli and A.B. de Villiers briefly revived RCB hopes with a few spirited shots before left-arm spinner Jakati took the wicket of de Villiers. Consequently even Virat was neatly caught after scoring 35 runs. Bangalore never recovered from the initial strike of two wickets in first two overs and continued losing wickets at regular intervals.
Chennai restricted Bangalore to 147 for eight. And the rest was sheer glory!
Tags: Chennai Super Kings, Cricket, CSK, Indian Premier League, IPL, IPL 2011, IPL 4, Murali Vijay, RCB, Royal Challengers Bangalore
