Chennai Super Kings Vs Kings XI Punjab: Chennai makes it to the semis

May 21, 2009 By: Spunky Category: IPL 2010 - IPL 3 No Comments →

 

Preity Zinta turned out to be the last of the Bollywood stars twinkling in the IPL whose team made an exit from the tournament when they lost to Chennai Super Kings by 24 runs on Wednesday at the Kingsmead. 

Shah Rukh Khan’s team had lost its way long back, Shilpa Shetty’s team lost on Wednesday afternoon and in the evening, it was Zinta’s turn. 

On the other hand, the four semifinalists of the tournament were virtually confirmed with Delhi of course being the first to make it, followed by Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. 

While Hyderabad and Bangalore are yet to play their 14th and last game in which they take on each other, both teams have a much better run-rate than Kings XI Punjab despite the three tied on 14 points. 

Unless either Bangalore or Hyderabad manage something absolutely atrocious, they would make it to the semifinals. Kings XI can blame the situation now on some wonderful bowling performance by Chennai, a couple of spectacular catches, and their own bad batting performance. 

Chennai had just 116 runs to defend and they made the best use of the resources available to help their cause. The Australian opener Matthew Hayden had been rested keeping the inconsequent match in mind. 

MS Dhoni won the toss, elected to bat first and George Bailey and Parthiv Patel got the team off to a brisk start at 10 runs per over. 

Raina celebrating after Yuvraj's wicket

It seemed like they were hardly missing Hayden just when the first blow came and Bailey was run out by Yuvraj Singh. It was a blow Chennai should’ve gotten over but instead kept slipping further and wickets fell at regular intervals. 

Preity Zinta

It seemed like Punjab were well on course to the semifinals. That was, however, before a huge batting disorder did the latter in. 

A very strong batting line-up was all packed off with 24 runs left on the board. Just like Jaipur, the Kings too snatched defeat from the jaws of what could’ve been an imminent victory.

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Chennai Super kings Vs Kings XI Punjab: Must win situation for both Kings

May 20, 2009 By: Spunky Category: IPL 2010 - IPL 3 No Comments →

Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab will fight for a semifinal spot in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday in Durban.

Super Kings lost their last match to bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders which left them on 15 points and requiring a victory in their last league match to make it to the semis.

If they lose, they will have to depend on the results of other teams to reach the semi-final.

For Kings XI Punjab, who are on 14 points, a loss here will see the end of their title hopes.

Kings XI Punjab will be high on confidence after two back-to-back wins against Delhi Daredevils and Deccan Chargers.

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Chennai Super Kings Vs Kings XI Punjab: Clash between Kings

May 07, 2009 By: Spunky Category: IPL 2010 - IPL 3 No Comments →

Rejuvenated Chennai Super Kings will eye their fourth consecutive victory against the Kings XI Punjab when the two teams square off in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday.

The 78-run victory against the Deccan Chargers has only added to the growing confidence of the Super Kings as the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team, who fell at the final hurdle last year, are now comfortably placed on the points table.

In contrast, the Punjab team, who lost their last match to the defending champions Rajasthan Royals, have won four matches from the eight they have played, and they will certainly count upon their batting might to register another win.

Captain Yuvraj Singh, who made a gutsy 37-ball 48 for a losing cause against the Royals, is the mainstay of their batting line-up with Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene and Australian Simon Katich joining him in the middle order.

After young opener Sunny Sohal’s duck in the Royals match, Yuvraj might opt for the previous combination at the beginning of the innings and may himself pair up with their Sri Lankan import Kumar Sangakkara.

Their left-arm pacer Yusuf Abdulla has surely made the batsmen’s life miserable. He is currently holding the purple cap with 14 scalps, but Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth have to lend support to the South African and fire in unison to break the mighty Super Kings batting.

On the other hand, the Chennai team have devastating openers in Matthew Hayden, who has exhibited some superb batting even after retiring from international cricket, and Murali Vijay, who also impressed in the last match.

Besides, much to the cheer of supporters, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has shrugged off his bad patch with a 37-ball 58. His exploits helped the Chennai side romp home in the last match against the Chargers.

The India captain promoted himself up the order in the last match against the Deccan Chargers to spend more time at the crease. It worked wonders for him as he regained his confidence to wreak havoc on the bowlers later on in his innings.

The likes of Suresh Raina, who has played a couple of timely knocks, New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram and South African Albie Morkel will be there in the middle order to provide back up.

While legend Muttiah Muralidharan will keep the batsmen guessing, some timely spells from left-arm tweaker Shadab Jakati may well change the colour of the proceedings.

Their new-ball pair of Morkel and Sudeep Tyagi have not forged a lethal pair, but their ability to pick up some early wickets can leave the opponents in disarray.

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