Chennai Super Kings to meet Mumbai Indians in IPL3
Chennai Super Kings is all set to meet Mumbai Indians in IPL’s third edition after beating Deccan chargers by 38 runs in the second semifinals. CSK has been more consistent as they entered the finals for the second time in IPL. They have also put an end to the five consecutive wins by Gilchrist’s team.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy was spot on as usual. He won the toss and chose CSK to bat first by having faith in its top batting order. But the top-order batsmen let him down losing three quick wickets before skipper Dhoni and Badrinath consolidated by 50 plus partnership. Late surge by Anirudha put respectable 142 to defend on.
While chasing this tricky total, Deccan Chargers made a mess of it due to superb bowling and fielding by Chennai Super Kings. Doug Bollinger led the attack well and took 4 wickets thus demolished Deccan Chargers batting line-up. Thinking Dhoni has picked three spinners Ashwin, Muralitharan and Jakati. All of them bowled very tightly with Ashwin once again opened the innings. Jakati took two wickets while experienced Murali took a wicket in his economical bowling.
Andrew Symonds tried his best to keep the momentum going after all top batsmen returned back to the pavilion. But the required run-rate always in the increasing trend and he too fell for a big shot. Then it was a formality for CSK to finish them off. Finally CSK has beaten Deccan Chargers by 38 runs to reach the final to meet Mumbai Indians. Dough Bollinger was the man of the match.
In the first semifinal between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, it was big man Kieron Pollard show all the way. Though Duminy hit 40 and in-from Tiwary scored breezy 52 from 31 with four 6s, it was Pollard’s hard hitting 33 from 13 has given Mumbai Indians a competitive score of 185 to be chased.
Mumbai Indians always remained a strong bowling unit through out the tournament so far. Kieron Pollard again came very handy with his medium pacers by taking those crucial wickets. He took valuable wickets of powerful Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and Viral Kohli. He has also involved in a run out of Rahul Dravid. He was a right candidate for the man of the match as he was seen everyone in the ground. Harbhajan who was bowling very well in IPL3 again bowled well to add misery to Royal Challengers. Mumbai Indians in the end marched to the finals by beating Royal Challengers by 35 runs.
Mumbai Indians fans and officials are eagerly waiting for Sachin Tendulkar’s injured finger to be alright before the finals. His unavailability might be a big blow for Mumbai Indians. Chennai Super Kings is fighting well through out the tournament. Induction of Doug Bollinger has made the formidable side and if Hayden fires on finals then we can expect the cracker of the final.
