Sanath Jayasuriya’s blistering knock of an unbeaten 114 that comes from just 48 balls puts Mumbai Indians on the driving seat to the semi-final slot. Mumbai Indians cruise a nine-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings as the Sri Lankan entertained the whole crowd displaying all his skills of clean hit all around the park.
For television viewers and also Indians’ supporters who are watching the match live at Wankhede Stadium, it was a treat to watch, as two of the all-time destructive batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Jayasuriya walk to the ground as opening pair for Mumbai Indians. No shot was out of the text book but a sparkling display of extraordinary cricketing skills.
Chasing a target of 157 to win, the Indians reached home at the loss of one wicket and 37 balls to spare. Comeback man Tendulkar got out scoring a mere 12 runs by Joginder Sharma but it was the Lankan who took the game out of Super Kings’ reach with a scintillating century of 45 balls hitting 11 sixes and nine fours.
Earlier batting first the Super Kings despite a top-order collapse were able to put a respectable total of 156. A good partnership between S. Badrinath (53 of 33 balls) and captain MS Dhoni (43 of 35 balls) lead them to put something to defend for. However, the tempo of the game was already changed by Jayasuriya as Chennai blowers struggled to keep a good line and length; either they are full length or full short.
In spite of that the bowlers too cost many extras further adding crisis to their defending move. When 25 runs needed of just 42 balls, Jayasuriya again illustrated some magnificent stroke play in the 14th over taking 26 runs of 5 balls in an over of fellow country player Chamara Kapudegera.
Scoreboard
Chennai Super Kings: V.Sivaramakrishnan 16 (11), Stephen Fleming 26 (29), Suresh Raina 1 (6), S. Badrinath 53 (33), C.Kapugedera 0 (2), MS Dhoni not out 43 (35), A. Morkel 5 (4). [Fall of wickets: V.Sivaramakrishnan 18-1 (2.5), S.Raina 28-2 (5.5), S.Fleming 46-3 (8.3), C.Kapugedera 46-4 (8.5), S.Badrinath 141-5 (19), A.Morkel 156-6 (20)]
Bowling: S Pollock 4-1-9-1, A Nehra 4-0-31-0, D Bravo 4-0-37-2, D Kulkarni 4-0 33-3, R Raje 3-0-33-0, D Thornely 1-0-10-0
Mumbai Indians: S.Jayasuriya not out 114 (48), Sachin Tendulkar 12(16), R.Uthappa (16 of 19). [Fall of wickets: S.Tendulkar 82-1 (7.2)]
Bowling: Gony 3-0-31-0, A. Morkel 3-0-44-0, Balaji 2-0-9-0, Joginder 3-0-24-1, Murali 2-0-20-0, C Kapugedera 0.5-0-26-0
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