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Chennai Super Kings returned to winning ways with a convincing seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in their Indian Premier League match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium yesterday. |
Coming into the match, Super Kings were on a three-match losing streak and in danger of relinquishing their second spot to Kolkata Knight Riders. However, an unbeaten 75-run partnership between captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (49 not out) and Faf du Plessis (54 not out) helped Super Kings overhaul Royal Challengers score of 154 for six with more than two overs to spare.
Chennai scored 160 for two in 17.4 overs and the win took them to 18 points, two behind league leaders Kings XI Punjab. West Indies’ Dwayne Smith started the carnage smashing 34 runs off just 17 balls. Smith and du Plessis shared a 57-run opening partnership off 26 balls to set Chennai on their way.
Suresh Raina (18) played well but was coaxed into playing an ambitious shot off the bowling of India teammate Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni and du Plessis took over, and from then on it was a one-way traffic as Bangalore seemed short of ideas.
Dhoni smashed four boundaries and three sixes in his 28-ball stay while his South African partner was just as clinical plundering three fours and as many sixes.
Earlier, a captain’s knock by Virat Kohli (73) helped Royal Challengers Bangalore reach a fighting score. Put into bat, the Bangalore top order once again failed to fire putting the onus on the middle-order.
A 55-run partnership between Yuvraj Singh (25) and Kohli was one of the bright spots for the hosts. Former India pacer Ashish Nehra picked up three wickets while Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said the win against Bangalore has given his side much-needed confidence ahead of the playoffs. “We wanted to win today and have done that. I could not have asked for more, especially after comprehensively winning the game in 18th over.
“Now we go into the playoffs with confidence. The bowlers probably were feeling the pressure. Such performance really helps,” he said.
On seamer Ashish Nehra, Fleming said he was delighted with his comeback performance and his presence in the side helps the younger bowlers.
“His experience helps a lot. It is nice to see someone like Ashish to come, and hopefully finish the tournament on a high note as he did today. I thought he was outstanding,” he said.
