Laxmipathy Balaji wants to emulate Ashish Nehra in his quest for a comeback to the national team. The 27-year-old pacer, who bagged two wickets for Mohun Bagan in the P Sen Trophy semi-final against Kalighat at the Eden on Monday, said that he wants to follow Nehra’s footsteps and be consistent with his performances.

“Nehra did an excellent job. He was consistent all through the season and that was showing in his performance during the Indian Premier League. I was impressed with Nehra’s performance and the way he has changed his game… That’s what I want to do,” Balaji said.

“I need to perform well. I have to be consistent… That’s the keyword to return to the national side. It is a challenging and competitive task. I am looking forward to play for India again,” Balaji said.

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A spectacular run-chase by the Kolkata Knight Riders stunned the Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish at the Super Sport Park on Monday. After Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni powered the Super Kings to 188-3, Brendon McCullum came out with all guns blazing, smashing a 48-ball 81. Brad Hodge finished the job for the Knight Riders by plundering an unbeaten 71 that came off just 44 balls. Chennai now have to win their next game against the Kings XI Punjab to be guaranteed a semi-final spot.

Scores:

Chennai Super Kings innings (20 overs maximum)
PA Patel       run out (Shukla)     25
GJ Bailey     run out (Hodge)     30
SK Raina      c Shukla b Dinda     52
MS Dhoni     not out                      40
JA Morkel   not out                       21
Extras     (b 4, lb 3, w 13)     20

Total     (3 wickets; 20 overs)     188

Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-78, 3-152

Bowling: AB Dinda:4-0-29-1-7.25, Anureet Singh:1-0-12-0-12.00, AB Agarkar:4-0-45-0-11.25, M Kartik:3-0-27-0-9.00, BJ Hodge:2-0-12-0-6.00, A Mendis:4-0-38-0-9.50, DJ Hussey:2-0-18-0-9.00

Kolkata Knight Riders innings (target: 189 runs from 20 overs)
BB McCullum     b Jakati                                  81
SC Ganguly         b Muralitharan                      4
BJ Hodge             not out                                    71
DJ Hussey           run out (Murali/Dhoni)     3
WP Saha               not out                                   25
Extras     (lb 4, nb 1)     5

Total     (3 wickets; 20 overs)     189

Fall of wickets:1-34, 2-124, 3-133

Bowling:JA Morkel:3-0-39-0-13.00, S Tyagi:3-0-29-0-9.66, M Muralitharan:4-0-16-1-4.00, SB Jakati:4-0-36-1-9.00, SK Raina:3-0-25-0-8.33, L Balaji:3-0-40-0-13.33

Player of the match: BJ Hodge (Kolkata Knight Riders)

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Stung by their two-wicket loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore, a wounded Chennai Super Kings would hope to bounce back against Mumbai Indians in a bid to advance towards their semifinal goal in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

Chennai would be fired up to cash on Mumbai Indians’ weakness of buckling under pressure, especially with every match being crucial for the eight teams.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men are sitting pretty at second spot with 13 points in their kitty from 11 matches while Sachin Tendulkar has a tough task in his hands with mere 11 points from their 12 appearances in the high-profile tournament so far.

Chennai, who lost to Mumbai in the tournament opener, look in a stronger position in tomorrow’s encounter despite its unimpressive fielding but surely boasts of a strong batting line-up which also runs deep with the likes of Australian swashbuckler Mathew Hayden, Suresh Raina, Dhoni, Jacob Oram and S Badrinath in their ranks.

Their bowling department is also studded with world’s highest wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and novice Shahdab Jakati, who is proving very effective for the side.

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