Chennai Super Kings Vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Chennai Set 189 Target
An forceful 52 by Suresh Raina, and his 75-run third wicket partnership with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (40 not out), helped Chennai Super Kings post a formidable 188 for three against Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League match at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on Monday.
Local boy Albie Morkel played a cameo in the death overs, hitting a nine-ball 20.
Going into the match Chennai had witnessed their run of five-successive wins ended by Royal Challengers Bangalore in Durban. But, to their credit, they had responded to that defeat by beating Mumbai in Port Elizabeth, a result that ensured curtain closure for Sachin Tendulkar’s side in this IPL competition.
Kolkata, with 10 defeats in 12 games, are already out of contention and are only playing for pride. The previous game between the two teams in Cape Town was washed out.
M S Dhoni won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat first on a wicket that was conducive for the same.
And both his openers, Parthiv Patel (25) and George Bailey (30), playing in his first match in place of the injured Matthew Hayden, vindicated the captain’s decision by giving their side a splendid start.
The Kolkata team made four changes. Ashok Dinda, Ajantha Mendis, Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Anureet Singh returned to the eleven while Ishant Sharma, Shoaib Shaikh, Yashpal Singh and Mashrafe Mortaza were axed.
A win against the Knight Riders will guarantee Chennai Super Kings a place in the final four. The Delhi Daredevils have already qualified after their victory in Bloemfontein against the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
Tags: Albie Morkel, Brendon McCullum, Chennai Super Kings Vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai vs Kolkata, George Bailey, IPL 2009 News, IPL Scores, IPL Updates, Matthew Hayden, MS Dhoni, Parthiv Patel, Suresh RainaRelated posts
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