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| MS Dhoni with Faf du Plessis, IPL 2012 |
The hot and humid weather of Chennai didn’t shatter focus of their captain cool and his army. Clash of two wicketkeeper captain’s clinched by MS Dhoni. Super Kings, who must need a win to rose-up in the points-tally, beat Royals in an easy chase at home.
In the hunt of 3rd consecutive win on cards, Dravid won the toss and decided to bat first.
Kevon Cooper who has become a trump card for Royals replaces Johan Botha in playing XI. Instead of Local stars, Royals showed faith in outsiders. Pankaj Singh and Dishant Yagnik failed to mark a place in team and replaced by Stuart Binny and Shreevats Goswami.
Rajasthan Royals,
under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, surprising every IPL team with their performances and commitment towards win. The hunger for win earlier taught by former skipper Shane Warne, reflecting in similar way with Dravid. Of course, team composition too has changed in this season of IPL but their approach reminds seasonal memories of IPL-1.
On the other hand,
Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings are shuffling with consistency in performance. Out of their last six matches, they won in just three matches. Playing in home conditions, in front of local crowd could work as winning-mantra and so as it did when Chennai registered 7-wickets win over Rajasthan Royals.
The two classy players – one named as
The Wall whereas another expected to be the next of
his style, Dravid and Rahane gave steady start to Royals before Ashwin strikes an opening wicket for Chennai. Owais Shah, who came as one down settled Rajasthan’s inning first with Dravid and later with Menaria, concluded by a catch of keeper Dhoni after a sparkling half century.
Good bowling in death overs from Kulasekara and Bollinger saved Super Kings from a big chasing target. Courtesy Bravo and Jadeja who prompted Shah and Menaria for more runs, otherwise Royals would have restricted to 120 runs. The batting cameo of Shah helped Royals to post a total of 146 runs on board.
In reply, Chennai begin their show with likes of Badrinath and
their own rising star du Plessis. Though, Menaria came with new ball and justified well. And then Faf, too, showed respect towards Binny and sent him thrice across the boundary line for 4s. du Plessis found the start he needed to click through, so as got Chennai.
The half-century stand between Badri and Faf at last broken by Hogg in 8th over. Raina walked in for extending Badri’s contribution and yes, the charming Sanu scripted the wining note for team. Rotating strikes and giving more chances to in-form batsman, Raina didn’t commit any mistake except for his own.
Just when he had chance to look for more hits and seal the game for team, he got out after 2nd bowl of Faf’s wicket – courtesy Kevin Cooper. It was the 17th over, when Copper turns the game for Royals. Yet, it wasn’t enough because the finisher was still there in the middle –
Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Raina’s dismissal left 21-balls game asking 30 more runs to secure a home win.
Another close match for Super Kings and then the same way it was concluded. Bravo and Dhoni played accordingly their name and fame. Clever runs between wickets and some calculated boundaries. Climax turned into extreme pressure when Dhoni converted last ball into a winning chase. An easy single transformed into double. By giving marks to his luck, a late throw took place into the scenario and when, Lions roared with pride at their own den.
Thoughts with Royals to whom a moment has been provided by Cooper but then, luck is also a part of game. Chennai has become a king for their own crowd, once again!
Summarised Scores:
Chennai Super Kings 147/3 (du Plessis 73, Raina 26; Cooper 2/23) beat Rajasthan Royals 146/4 (Owais Shah 52, Menaria 36; Kulasekara 1/17) by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
