bowled short on leg stump, tried to work it square, was hit on the pads, it's all over
CSK vs Kings XI, 54th match at Durban, IPL, May 20 2009 - Ball by Ball Commentary
An excellent comeback from Chennai. Just two Punjab batsmen got to double figures, that was the level of control the Chennai spinners exerted - in favourable conditions no doubt, but Punjab had limited Chennai to a low enough score to ensure a qualification for the semis. They left the acceleration for too late, and only Pomersbach came close to posing some kind of a challenge.
The three spinners bagged six wickets for 38 runs in 12 overs, and it was after the timeout that they really gained the stranglehold. Punjab were 40-odd for 2 halfway through their innings - Chennai had lost four wickets at the same stage when they were batting - but the frequent use of variations, especially by Murali, and excellent support from Raina and Ashwin - whose inclusion paid off - resulted in a hapless reply from Punjab.
At no stage in their innings did they look dominant, and the abject surrender marked a massive waste of an ideal opportunity to go up second on the points table. Chennai have taken the No.2 spot. We'll get you the details from the presentation now.
Yuvraj: "We needed that win, we are pretty disappointed. Unfortunately for us, nobody got going. We didn't get a good partnership, the wicket was two-paced, and we've got ourselves to blame. We enjoyed playing in South Africa. We need to win games when we get into a good position, but we didn't do that today."
Dhoni: "Ashwin was brilliant throughout. Murali put pressure on the opposition, and them playing him cautiously was a mistake. We got off to a good start, both Gony and Thushara started well. We were a batsman short this game, but in the next game when Albie will be fit, we'll be a better batting side."
Murali is the Man of the Match for his superb spell.
Murali: "I tried to bowl line and length. The spinners bowled really well, and the pressure got to them. Sometimes it is easy to contain when you're defending lower totals. Raina's done well in this tournament, and he should keep going."
A lot of feedback from you guys about Punjab still, theoretically, having a chance of making it to the semis. While that may be true, one just needs to have a glance at their net run-rate, and you guys can then decide what's the likelihood of them making it to the next stage.
Hope you enjoyed the coverage. Thanks for tuning in and sending us your feedback. Do join us again tomorrow for another double header. Until then, it's goodbye from all of us at Cricinfo. Cheers.
Last ball coming up
length ball on the off, chips it towards long-on
full length outside off, mistimes a swat, plays it back to Balaji who fields well stretching to his right
is fortunate, he's trying his best here Powar, low full toss outside off, tries to drill it through the off side, gets an inside edge to the fine-leg boundary
slower one outside off, had a massive swing at it, missed, made no connection
superb fielding by Raina in the deep, full outside off, struck cleanly wide of long-on but Raina dives full length to his right, to drag it back in
Balaji to bowl the last over. Possibly, the last over for Punjab in this tournament
slower one wide of the off, squeezed over point, wide of third man for two runs
the end is near, full toss again, one of many this over, fails to clear long-off, strikes it straight to Oram who cups it comfortably
full toss outside off again, made room to strike it over point, ended up slicing it wide of third man for two more
low full toss outside off, it's over folks, this is going just one way, drags it back to the bowler
low full toss outside off, makes room and slices it wide of deep point
too wide outside off, somehow gets his bat to it, goes off the bottom wide of third man for a couple
Thushara comes back on
sliding on the leg stump, looks to hoick it over square leg, misses and is struck on the pads, gets a leg bye
finally makes contact, fullish on middle, comes down the track and chips it wide of long-on for a couple
pushed it a touch fuller, had a wild swing at it, missed, was nowhere near it, signs of desperation more than anything else
short outside off, chases it, goes for the cut, misses
dropped at short fine, short on leg stump, swung straight through Gony's fingers at behind the wicket, a terrible miss
short of a good length outside off, dabbed behind point for a single
48 needed off 18. The regret is writ large in the dug out, what a slip-up. Balaji comes on, many of your prayers are answered
on middle and leg, pushed off the front foot wide of midwicket for a single, another spinner completes a successful spell, 2 for 17, well done
down the leg side, given a wide
Chawla to face
Over 20 • KXIP 92/8
CSK won by 24 runs