20:32
Syed Muhammad Shakir Ali Kazmi
KOCHI: Brendon McCullum exploded at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and destroyed Chennai Super Kings on Monday. The Kiwi scored another match-winning 47 off 33 balls as Kochi Tuskers Kerala, chasing 132 in a rain-hit 17-over game, scripted their second win in IPL 4. The underdogs have now accounted for the two hot favourites - CSK and Mumbai Indians - in the space of a week.
Scorecard | Match in Pics
Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel (34 off 26 balls) played a good supporting role after McCullum's fireworks as the Kochi team underscored captain Mahela Jayawardene's claim that they had enough talent on the bench. The seven-wicket win for the home team came with two overs to spare.
McCullum carted Albie Morkel for two sixes in his first two overs and Jayawardene greeted offie Ashwin by hitting him for a six and a four. But Ashwin had the last laugh when he had the Sri Lankan in the same over. McCullum hit two more sixes before he perished to Ashwin, going for a big shot over long-off. Brad Hodge and Ravindra Jadeja gave the finishing touches to Kochi's victory.
Earlier, CSK weathered the vagaries of the wicket at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and a rain interruption to post a competitive 131 for four in 17 overs on the strength of a stroke-filled 50 (40 balls, 5x4, 1x6) from Suresh Raina. Unusual April rain in Kerala had reduced the match by three overs after Mahela Jayawardene opted to field first. The revised target after a 95-minute break for the home team was 135.
Jayawardene's decision to bowl first was influenced by the upsets created by Punjab and Kochi in the first week of IPL-4 chasing big totals. He had a second reason to do so as he reckoned that there would be some life early on for the fast bowlers. Midway through the CSK innings, the Kochi captain might have found a third reason by default to justify his decision to field first as rain interrupted the match when the visitors were 65 for two after nine overs.
Barring a couple of authentic cover drives by Murali Vijay, the CSK batsmen found more edges than hits.
Scorecard | Match in Pics
Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel (34 off 26 balls) played a good supporting role after McCullum's fireworks as the Kochi team underscored captain Mahela Jayawardene's claim that they had enough talent on the bench. The seven-wicket win for the home team came with two overs to spare.
McCullum carted Albie Morkel for two sixes in his first two overs and Jayawardene greeted offie Ashwin by hitting him for a six and a four. But Ashwin had the last laugh when he had the Sri Lankan in the same over. McCullum hit two more sixes before he perished to Ashwin, going for a big shot over long-off. Brad Hodge and Ravindra Jadeja gave the finishing touches to Kochi's victory.
Earlier, CSK weathered the vagaries of the wicket at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and a rain interruption to post a competitive 131 for four in 17 overs on the strength of a stroke-filled 50 (40 balls, 5x4, 1x6) from Suresh Raina. Unusual April rain in Kerala had reduced the match by three overs after Mahela Jayawardene opted to field first. The revised target after a 95-minute break for the home team was 135.
Jayawardene's decision to bowl first was influenced by the upsets created by Punjab and Kochi in the first week of IPL-4 chasing big totals. He had a second reason to do so as he reckoned that there would be some life early on for the fast bowlers. Midway through the CSK innings, the Kochi captain might have found a third reason by default to justify his decision to field first as rain interrupted the match when the visitors were 65 for two after nine overs.
Barring a couple of authentic cover drives by Murali Vijay, the CSK batsmen found more edges than hits.
NEW DELHI: The IPL scrap which will take place at the Kotla on Tuesday involves teams who are trying to stay afloat in the competition - Delhi Daredevils and Deccan Chargers. Both have just a solitary win each so far and will try to gain some momentum when they battle it out in the middle.
The Daredevils, who got a win on board on Sunday night after two comprehensive losses earlier, are still regarded by many as one of the weakest teams in IPL 4. The Chargers, by comparison, look a much more balanced side on paper. A powerful top-order features the likes of skipper Kumar Sangakkara, South Africa's JP Duminy and Australian newcomer Daniel Christian. The surprise package for the side has been Bharat Chipli – the leading batsman for the side.
The pace attack is in the safe hands of Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma while they have a couple of more-than-handy spinners in left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and leg-spinner Amit Mishra. However, the Chargers have still lost three out of the four games so far.
Delhi, on the other hand, have been over-reliant on their openers – Virender Sehwag and David Warner. The middle though looks much more susceptible with the exception of Venugopal Rao who has been the most consistent Delhi batsman, along with Warner. All-rounder James Hopes provides much needed boost to lower middle-order but with Morne Morkel returning to side against the Chargers, the home side's batting will be weakened a little.
The Daredevils' biggest concern remains the spin department. The team management is satisfied with Shahbaz Nadeem's efforts so far but the Jharkhand left-armer has no support from the other end.
The Chargers have a few players like Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant and Mishra who know the Kotla conditions well. The team will surely count on their knowledge of the venue to give them an added advantage.
The Daredevils, who got a win on board on Sunday night after two comprehensive losses earlier, are still regarded by many as one of the weakest teams in IPL 4. The Chargers, by comparison, look a much more balanced side on paper. A powerful top-order features the likes of skipper Kumar Sangakkara, South Africa's JP Duminy and Australian newcomer Daniel Christian. The surprise package for the side has been Bharat Chipli – the leading batsman for the side.
The pace attack is in the safe hands of Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma while they have a couple of more-than-handy spinners in left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and leg-spinner Amit Mishra. However, the Chargers have still lost three out of the four games so far.
Delhi, on the other hand, have been over-reliant on their openers – Virender Sehwag and David Warner. The middle though looks much more susceptible with the exception of Venugopal Rao who has been the most consistent Delhi batsman, along with Warner. All-rounder James Hopes provides much needed boost to lower middle-order but with Morne Morkel returning to side against the Chargers, the home side's batting will be weakened a little.
The Daredevils' biggest concern remains the spin department. The team management is satisfied with Shahbaz Nadeem's efforts so far but the Jharkhand left-armer has no support from the other end.
The Chargers have a few players like Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant and Mishra who know the Kotla conditions well. The team will surely count on their knowledge of the venue to give them an added advantage.
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