Indian Premier League, 2008-09
Wisden's review of Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings, 2nd semi-final, Indian Premier League, 2008-09
Nagraj Gollapudi
15-Apr-2010
At Johannesburg, May 23, 2009 (floodlit). Royal Challengers Bangalore won by six wickets. Toss:
Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chennai Super Kings 146-5 (20 overs) (P. A. Patel 36); Royal
Challengers Bangalore 149-4 (18.5 overs) (M. K. Pandey 48, R. Dravid 44). Man of the Match:
M. K. Pandey.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is by nature an instinctive player, but he got it wrong this time: after
promoting himself to No. 3, his 28 from 30 balls slowed Chennai down, and they fell around 20 short
of a par score. Led by Pandey, who followed his century in the previous match with another mature
innings containing some classical shots, Bangalore secured a place in the final. Pandey shared a
crucial stand of 72 with the cool Dravid, and when they were out Virat Kohli (24*) and Ross Taylor
(17*) hit two sixes apiece to ensure victory with a cushion of seven balls to spare.