A comprehensive performance by the Chennai Super Kings was seen today and they removed the underdogs tag today by defeating the Kings XI Punjab by a good margin of 9 wickets. The Punjab team which had shown a very good form through out the IPL, today just crashed in front of the Chennai team like a pack of cards.
The Kings XI Punjab team won the toss and chose to bat first. This seemed to be like a bad decision for the team after what ensued following this. Marsh and Hopes opened the game. Hopes was lost on a score of 2 runs in the second over itself. Sanggakara replaced him but could hardly survive one over in which he made 3 runs. This was followed by the loss of 3 more wickets within a time of 4 overs. The team stood at a score of 40 runs at the loss of 5 wickets. Marsh was the fifth man lost and made 23 runs. It was Mota after that who scored 25 runs along with Chawla in a small time that he shared with him. Powar was the highest scorer in the match coming at ninth spot with just 28 runs off 21 runs. The team was literally seen crashing on a score of 112 runs off just 20 overs.
It took only three batsmen’s efforts from the Chennai team to get to the meager target set by the opponent. Patel started off with Vidyut. The latter was dismissed at just 6 runs. Raina however managed the situation well and with Patel, scored the target in 14.5 overs. Patel scored 51 runs off 48 balls whereas Raina scored 55 runs off 34 balls. Ntini was awarded the man of the match for his two wicket haul in the match. On Sunday, we will see the Chennai Super Kings clashing with the Rajasthan Royals in the final match of the Indian Premier League season 2008.
