Press Trust of India
Ranchi, May 22: They call him ‘Mr. Cricket’ for nothing, such is his contribution towards the game. In one of the most difficult matches of his career, Michael Hussey (56, 46b, 3×4, 2×6) came good to inspire Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a three-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Qualifier 2 of IPL-VIII at JSCA International Stadium here Friday.
After restricting RCB to 139 for eight, courtesy some fine bowling by Ashish Nehra (3/28) and Ravi Ashwin (1/13), CSK were in a spot of bother on a double-paced track. The required run rate after the 10th over had crept to over eight runs per over and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/28) had sent back Faf du Plessis and Suresh Raina within the space of three deliveries. Hussey till then hadn’t really looked very convincing scratching to 21 off 26 balls.
But then experience pays and that is exactly what Hussey utilised. He ran the ones and twos hard with MS Dhoni (26 n o, 29b, 1×4) and then in the 16th over of the innings struck two decisive sixes off Chahal that changed the complexion of the match. Game, set and match to CSK and a date in the final May 24 at the Eden Gardens against Mumbai Indians.
Earlier Nehra once more showed why he is a great exponent of the T20 game. The left-arm pacer varied his pace astutely to pick up the wickets of Virat Kohli (12), AB de Villiers (one) and Dinesh Karthik (28, 26b, 4×4) and set up the platform for the CSK win.
RCB were always under the scanner after being put in by home legend Dhoni. They lost Kohli, De Villiers and Mandeep early on and in spite of Chris Gayle (41, 43b, 2×4, 3×6) holding fort at one end their innings really couldn’t get going. Losing Kohli and De Villiers early on also affected Gayle’s rhythm and he played a very un-Gayle innings.
RCB managed to get close to the 140-run mark due to some lower-order hitting by Sarfaraz Khan (31, 21b, 4×4).
Brief scores: RCB 139 for 8 (Chris Gayle 41, Sarfaraz Khan 31, Ashis Nehra 3/28) lost to CSK 140 for seven in 19.5 overs (Michael Hussey 56, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28) by three wickets.
