Ashwin sets up crushing win for Chennai

For the second match running offspinner R Ashwin grabbed two wickets in an over as he bowled out his quota from the start of an innings, but unlike the previous time, when Chennai Super Kings were beaten, his sterling effort today helped clinche the game for his side. In a crunch game against Kolkata Knight Riders, Ashwin took the new ball and rocked the top order during a mesmerising spell in front of a throbbing and partisan crowd. He was denied a hat-trick by Simon Taufel's indiscretion, but even the 48 runs that decision cost Chennai didn't matter in the ultimate outcome.

Sourav Ganguly opted to bat on a surface he reckoned would assist spin later in the night. The first over suggested spin would play a role quicker than that, but at 11 for 0 after two overs Ganguly couldn't have envisioned what lay in store. Having nonchalantly dumped the first ball of the third over for a straight six, Chris Gayle repeated the shot and was stumped. Brendon McCullum survived a very good shout second ball when he missed Ashwin's version of the carrom ball, but two balls later was gobbled up at short fine leg when he top-edged a sweep.

Seventeen for 3 became 19 for 4 thanks to a brilliant reaction from MS Dhoni. Ashwin speared the ball down David Hussey's pads and as the batsman fell forward, Dhoni collected and broke the stumps. Hussey's back foot had just failed to get back in, and Ashwin let out a war cry. Dhoni stuck in a leg gully to go with slip for hat-trick delivery, and Ashwin delivered a ripper. It pitched and turned down the pads and as it spun down the ball kissed Angelo Mathews' gloves to the catcher around the corner. Ashwin and the Chennai fielders sprung up in celebration but the hat-trick was denied by a stone-faced Taufel.

Kolkata stumbled to 22 for 4 after six overs, which was the lowest total in a Powerplay, and Ashwin bowled out for the fantastic figures of 3 for 16. Of his 24 deliveries, 16 were dot balls.