Dhoni cheerful after CSK victory

MS Dhoni was all praise for his bowlers after CSK's three-pronged pace attack controlled Cape Cobras to a modest score of 145 on Wednesday.

"Had we lost, it would have become very hard. The score of 145 was a very good effort by our bowlers, who capitalized really well when they lost a couple of wickets at the wrong time. Our bowlers did a good job," said Dhoni after his team's exciting four-wicket victory over the Cobras.

"It was a big game for us and (Dwayne) Bravo played a special innings in the end. My heart was pounding. We are look forward to the next game," the skipper added.

The pace trio of Albie Morkel (2 for 26), Doug Bollinger (2 for 25) and Dwayne Bravo (2 for 23) shackle the Cobras' batting line-up and prohibited their order consisting of Herschelle Gibbs, J P Duminy and Owais Shah from changing the gears up.

Dhoni also approved that while batting, Chennai abandoned the importance of singles at the start.

The Chennai Super Kings, with this win, have two points, the same as the Cape Cobras and New South Wales while Mumbai Indians head the table with four points from two victories.

Cape Cobras' captain Justin Kemp said that Chennai pacers bowled fine with the old ball.

"We would have liked to score more at the back end, but I consider the Chennai boys bowled well with the old ball. They were excellent in the end over’s," said Kemp.

Kemp selected all-rounder Bravo's timely cameo for special praise and said, "It took something special from Bravo. We bowled well, but it was always going to come down to the last couple of over’s, and they have a big batting line-up. Bravo played some outstanding shots and took the game away from us."

"Overall it was a good game. We were right up there until the 18th over. A couple of mistake here and there," he added.

Man-of-the-match Dwayne Bravo, whose sparkler (46 not out off 25 balls) took the Chennai Super Kings past the target of 145 with just two balls to spare, said, "Today was a great day for us. I was just backing my ability. I am enjoying my cricket now. Hope this continues later in the event."

"Dale Steyn bowled just one bad ball and I got on top of it."

Asked about his bowling, he said, "I have work hard on my bowling in the nets and distorted my action a bit. I am happy now."

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Dwayne Bravo lead Chennai Kings to win

Dwayne Bravo enables Chennai Super Kings to get their Champions League Twenty20 title defense back on path with a four-wicket victory over Cape Cobras at Chennai.

Owais Shah Lead the way with 45 as the Cobras, who won the toss and chose to bat, totall 145 for seven - but Bravo's 46 from 25 balls enable the Super Kings to pass the total with two balls to extra.

The Cobras' score was built on a firm partnership of 57 for the fourth wicket between Shah and JP Duminy. Shah's knock come from 38 balls and built-in a six and three fours, while Duminy chip in with 24 from 21 balls.


South Africa spinner Duminy then excel with the ball, taking four wickets for 20 runs from his four overs as the Super Kings slip to 77 for five.

However, the influx of Bravo at the crease redress the balance - and after distribution in a 43-run stand for the sixth wicket, the West Indies all-rounder took them to brink of victory by taking 17 runs off the last but one over of the game, bowled by Dale Steyn.

With Albie Morkel, Bravo saw the Super Kings over the line, appropriately hitting the winning single with two balls remaining.

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Sydney Sixers mark Hayden for Big knock

The Brisbane Heat has scored a major coup, signing up past Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden for the initial KFC T20 Big Bash League this summer.

The 39-year-old, who has enjoy great achievement in the Indian Premier League since his international departure in early 2009, will lead the Heat's already strong batting line-up, one that also include New Zealand international Brendon McCullum and Queensland run-machine, James Hopes.

Playing with the Chennai Super Kings in 2008, 2009 and 2010, Hayden was the IPL's leading run-scorer in 2009 with 572 runs at 52 and a strike-rate of 144.81.

He was also a essential player in Chennai's 2010 Champions League T20 and Champions Trophy victories.

Hayden is the 14th player signed by the Heat, one of the eight teams that will play in the Big Bash League that starts on 16 December.

"I am keyed up about being a part of the Heat and the first-ever Big Bash League, and I will be doing my utmost to make the Heat an achievement both on and off the field," said Hayden.

"I'm looking forward to receiving back into top form and working with Darren (Lehmann) and the Brisbane players. December can't come soon sufficient," an excited Hayden said.

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Hussey not reluctant to Big Bash rule changes

Michael Hussey has given a vigilant thumbs-up to some of the planned new rules for next season's Big Bash League. The eight-team competition might comprise features such as a super-over in which the batting team has its runs double, and the opportunity that spectators could keep balls hit into the crowd.

Cricket Australia asked fans to voice their opinion on the ideas via an online survey last week, seven months before the event is expected to kick off. Hussey has just arrived back in Perth after playing a key role in the IPL final victory for Chennai Super Kings, and he said the concept of the super-over "sounds all right".

"Who calls which over it is? The captain? I'd like it if I was batting, I'd call the super over as soon as I got out there," Hussey said. "I haven't reflection about it too much but the concept sounds all right, particularly if there was a Chris Gayle at the crease. He had a couple of overs in the IPL where he went for 27 and 34 runs off overs. It could approximately be game over if he had one of those overs."

Hussey said the idea of fans being able to keep balls hit into the crowd had some merit. However, he said it was important the batsman was not deprived for having cleared the fence.

"It depends how green the wicket is," he said. "If it gets to the 15th over and the wicket is still green, I don't want a new ball coming out, that's for sure. But I think it's a good idea, a bit like baseball, maybe a souvenir for a kid out there. They are going to need a lot of back-up balls of the same over range. I don't think it's the worst idea."

"It won't be of the same magnitude because of the quantity of money they spend on their tournament compare with what we could use on ours," Hussey said. "But I think in terms of the excellence of cricket we can definitely compete, attract some overseas players.

"I guess we are a little limited in that we can't draw all countries because when they play nationally clashes with our summer. But we can attract some real quality international players and we know that our first class system and our core players are very, very good."

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Chasing win Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets

Chennai Super Kings 177 for 4 (Raina 73*) strike Royal Challengers Bangalore 175 (Kohli 70*, Bollinger 1-20) by six wickets

 Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni said he had the certainty that his team might win the IPL play-off match next to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

 "It was a hard target, but we have been in comparable situations, and we have the conviction that we can win these games. We kept believe that we could do it, but you can say I was not 100% certain," Dhoni said after his side's dramatic six-wicket win in the last over.

"We know as a team we have the armaments to chase anything. This was a good situation where the set batsmen kept back on going, and the others chip around him. When you believe in the aptitude that you have, you can more often pass off," he said.

Rival captain Daniel Vettori believed that Suresh Raina's sweltering knock made the difference. "You do get these guys. You say this is a great game of cricket. That innings from Suresh took it away. But we expect to bowl a little bit improved than we did." 

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IPL Preview: Bangalore vs. Chennai

Shielding champions Chennai Super Kings get on Royal Challengers Bangalore in what assure to be an absorbing first IPL playoff match in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Chennai vs. Bangalore

IPL Overall

Chennai Super Kings contain won 35 and lost 24 out of 60 played - success % 59.16 (Tied 1).

Bangalore has won 30 and lost 29 out of 59 contests - success % 50.84.

IPL - Chennai vs. Bangalore - Head to Head

Bangalore has won 5 and lost 4 out of nine played next to Chennai - success % 55.55.

IPL 2011

Bangalore, with 19 points (Played: 14, Won: 9 and Lost: 4 Abandoned: 1) are at the top in the Points Table.

Chennai, with eighteen points (Played: 14, Won: 9 and Lost: 5) are placed second in the Points Table.

Approaching milestones

- Abraham de Villiers (933) requires 67 runs to complete his 1,000 runs in the IPL.

- Mahendra Singh Dhoni (1374) needs 26 runs to complete 1400 runs in the IPL.

- Chris Gayle (974) requires 26 runs to complete 1000 runs in the IPL.

- Suresh Raina (1732) requires 68 runs to complete 1800 runs in the IPL.

- Albie Morkel (56) needs four wickets to complete his 60 wickets in the IPL.

- Gayle (38) requires just two sixes to become the first batsman to register 40 sixes in the IPL.

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Bangalore come to an ending on top of table

Royal Challengers Bangalore 129 for 2 (Gayle 75*) strike Chennai Super Kings 128 for 8 (Dhoni 70*, Vettori 2-15) by eight wickets

Chris Gayle indulges himself after his bowlers controlled Chennai Super Kings to a below-par 128 to ensure Royal Challengers Bangalore will completed top of the points table. The result also protected their berth in this year's Champions League.

Chennai were always opposite inevitable beat once their top order crumbles six over into the game. Tottering at 22 for 4, MS Dhoni consolidate at first before looting quick runs in the end, but 128 wasn't leaving to test Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Particularly with Gayle unleash hell.

Gayle left his blot on the chase and it was violent. A six flew over third man; another vanished over cow corner, a third, off Suresh Raina, landed in the upper tier of the long-on stands and a fierce directly drive rammed into Albie Morkel's shin. A limp Morkel constant bowling after getting some action but Gayle punctually dispatched a short delivery over the deep midwicket boundary. But while Gayle delighted the home mass, it was the bowlers who won the game for Bangalore.

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Modi blast BCCI over Warne problem

Former IPL official Lalit Modi termed the BCCI "money mind" and said the board's decision to impose a fine of US $50,000 on Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne was uncalled for.

Warne runaway a ban but was fine heavily by the IPL's corrective commission in Mumbai on Wednesday for calling RCA secretary Sanjay Dixit a "liar and selfish" after an IPL match in Jaipur, forcing RR owner Shilpa Shetty to intercede and apologise for the incident.

"BCCI Money minded heads targeting a celebrity like Warne is uncalled for. They are not directly aggressive all your shut friends. Shame on them," Modi tweeted.

"USD 50000 fine for Warne while Dixit is free to punch away on twitter! Unbelievable! Not a word from the BCCI on Dixit mocking Tendulkar.

"Rajasthan CA needs ban; Royals want Shane. They call themselves sports administrator and wanting ban?" he added. Modi felt the admission of guilt was sufficient on Warne's part.

"USD 50k would have buy Kaif for the IPL. The event is a big disgrace and I m sure each cricket lover would be distress right now. "BCCI have to to been generous and left the fable tolerant the apology. A fine should only equal with the damage done," he further tweeted.

The sack commissioners also take a dig at BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, reproachful him of favouring his team Chennai Super Kings. "Not not directly, but very directly. Fixing the auction umpires and now pitches. Just give the damn cup to CSK.

"It's a pity Srinivasan is resorting to all that. CSK is a mighty fine team and can win without any such help," he said. Modi also tweet that the TV ratings of the Twenty20 league have reach an all-time low this season.

"Just learnt that the ratings for IPL have reached an average of 3.84. This is the lowest it has ever achieved. Sorry to hear the same,” Modi tweeted.

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Chennai Super Kings won by 12 Runs

Chennai Super Kings 152 for 5 (Saha 46, Hussey 32) hit Kochi Tuskers Kerala 141 for 5 (Hodge 51*, McCullum 33) by 12 runs

Chennai Super Kings gunshot back to the top of the Indian Premier League table with an 11-run be successful over Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

Batting first at home, Chennai necessary a middle-order recover act from Michael Hussey (32 off 37 balls) and Wriddhiman Saha (46 off 33 balls) to get to a warfare 152 for five.

The Tuskers also required digging deep, but in spite of Brendon McCullum's 33 off 37 balls and Brad Hodge's forceful 51 from 42, they were limited to 141 for five to undergo their eighth loss of the season.

Having won the toss, Murali Vijay's removal from office for 16 in the third over gave Suresh Raina and Hussey the possibility to build Chennai's platform.

Raina's rush off a luxurious Shantha Sreesanth was finished on 19 by the pace man before Subramaniam Badrinath was wedged off Hodge for 13.

Hussey brave a lethargic run-rate and some taut spin bowling to thread jointly a 37-run stand with Saha.

Ravindra Jadeja then detached him and home captain MS Dhoni (nine) previous to Saha and Albie Morkel (13 not out) helped Chennai pick up 32 valuable runs from the last three overs.

In reply, Kochi lumber their way to 29 in five overs after stand-in captain Parthiv Patel fell economically, and they were two down with Gnaneswara Rao's (19) exit to Dwayne Bravo.

McCullum had stand his ground, and teamed up with Hodge for a 38-run partnership, but was bowled attempt a slog off Shadab Jakati with 70 still necessary off 37 balls.

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Fleming suspicious of law of averages

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming is wary about the information that law of averages strength just catch up with the defensive champions in the Indian Premier League.

Chennai sit attractive on the points table in the second mark with 16 points and Fleming is aiming to finish league actions on a high. "We want to do something in a different way. Any team needs to be one or two on points table," Fleming said.

"If it does not happen, the third and fourth place teams contain to play extra games perhaps one before the final and one tougher one, which are a bit harder. Certainly we desire to be one of the top two teams at the end of the league stage and give a just right run for the final. The next two games are vital for us in the opposition," the coach said.

Chennai have reserved a clean line up at home, charming all the six matches in their garden and Fleming said they would look to uphold the winning impetus. "We have been working hard for winning our home matches. At the same time, we do not take it for granted and surely it is no dissimilar on Wednesday. We have taken few days off and one more win on our home ground is significant for the competition."

"We can come to an end off the period without behind at home," he said. Apart from the home benefit, Chennai bowlers have won quite a few matches for the team besides the by now strong batting line up.

"I think there is pride in both. The bowlers are arrogant that our batsmen have performed this year. The batsmen are self-important that when they had not performed well, the bowlers have come and done the job for the team. We are mainly a batting side. But our bowling this year has turn out to be very smart. We got better during the middle of this event. I am arrogant of the way my team has been playing," he said.

"Dhoni as a captain is a huge example in the last pair of matches," he said. Fleming said that star West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, combination the team after the half-way mark in the opposition, has established in quite nicely in the role of an all-rounder."

"He has built-in well sufficient. We wanted to give Bravo a game at Chepauk and he did well with the ball in the last game. He gives deepness to the batting and bring all round display," he added.

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Kings XI Punjab big beaten Mumbai Indians

Kings XI Punjab 163 for 8 (Marsh 43, Karthik 31, Munaf 5-21) beat Mumbai Indians 87 (Bhatt 4-22)

Mumbai Indians' inspiring run in the IPL was bring to a impolite halt by the Kings XI Punjab, who finished an forceful 76-run win in Mohali.

Mumbai had won six out of their seven preceding games, but were bundle out for 87 in 12.5 overs on Tuesday chasing 163.

Praveen Kumar's two for 19 and Bhargav Bhatt's four for 22 engineered the give way that saw six batsmen out for single figures.

Earlier, Shaun Marsh (43 off 34) and Dinesh Karthik (31) led Punjab's batting, but met fierce confrontation late on from Mumbai paceman Munaf Patel's figures of five for 21.

Despite charming the toss, Mumbai unsuccessful to capitalise on Patel's removal from office of Paul Valthaty (14) as Marsh and Adam Gilchrist (28) took Punjab to a healthy 86 in 10 overs.

Following Gilchrist's exit, Marsh sustained his inspiring strokeplay next to Karthik, and it needed an excellent catch from Kieron Pollard to send the Australian back.

Patel claim his third in the same over by dispatch David Hussey, as a outbreak of late wickets destined Punjab could only manage 20 off the last three overs.

Mumbai's batting, though, got off to a bad start as they were three down in 4.1 overs, with Kumar grab the key scalp of Sachin Tendulkar (six).

It only got not as good as as Andrew Symonds (eight) was run out in a mix-up with Ambati Rayudu (13), who then holed out to mid-on before Ryan Harris snap up Tirumalasetti Suman (four).

It prompted some desperate yet useless beating but Bhatt came to the fore to shut Mumbai out, first by bowling Harbhajan Singh (12), and rounding the tail up in the 13th over, remove Pollard (17), Dhawal Kulkarni (two), and Patel (nought).

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Chennai Super Kings hit Pune Warriors by 25 runs

Yuvraj Singh can win matches with an ask rate of 10 in the last five overs a good figure of times, but not on Monday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

The left-hander, who scored his only World Cup century here regarding a month back, just couldn’t find his magic touch and Chennai Super Kings reap the harvest. Yuvi huff and winded to 34 off 43 balls as Pune Warriors fell 26 runs little of the 143-run target after having the upper hand for a major part of the match.

Yuvi survive a examine leg-before decision, missed full-tosses, missed out on singles at a time when it seem that the left-hander might run away with the game. Dhoni knew if his Team India replacement got going, there was no chance at all. But the canny skipper also unspoken that Yuvi was stressed in the Chennai clamminess and he made sure that the boundaries were not given away.

The CSK fielders had a brilliant day in the field, saving boundaries out of nowhere and complete Pune fight for every run. And it was appropriate that Shadab Jakati pull off a blinder at mid-off in the 19th over to carry an end to Yuvi’s tender stay at the wicket.

The CSK bowlers too wedged to their task with Albie Morkel judgment some bowling form to come to an end with figures of 3-26. Offies R Ashwin and Suraj Randiv, too, were right on the money as the Warriors struggle in the unassuming chase.

Earlier, things look like going downward for CSK after a bright start. Openers M Vijay (31, 29b, 2x4, 1x6) and Michael Hussey (61, 48b, 4x6, 1x6) put up 64 for the first wicket but formerly the partnership was broken, the impetus was lost. Pune Warriors’ veteran South African all-rounder Alfonso Thomas (4-0-29-2) made sudden inroads to take away Vijay and Suresh Raina in quick series. The damage was done and CSK, in spite of a solid performance by Hussey, could only manage 142 for 6.

For Pune, Jerome Taylor (4-0-30-3) too came to party to take Hussey’s wicket and the final grow never happen for CSK. The pitch was a little on the slower side and it was a planned move by the CSK openers to keep wickets in hands. 66 was the lowest total in the first 10 overs for the defensive champions, but one would have probable them to carry on once they got set.

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Gilchrist get Preity Zinta's backing

Adam Gilchrist is not a juggler and needs time to turn things around for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, said Preity Zinta, co-owner of the team. "I am hopeful of a turn and know that Gilchrist is a brilliant team leader. But he is not a magician and should be given time to settle down," Zinta said after Kings XI Punjab's win over Chennai Super Kings.

Gilchrist, the former Australian wicketkeeper, is the skipper of Punjab group this season after leading Deccan Chargers to victory in the second version of the Twenty20 league. "We have lot many games left. We will absolutely emerge stronger," the Bollywood actress said about her team, adding that "failures are pillars of success".

Zinta also hope that every member of KXIP would give to the team`s success. "Everybody has to realize that they have to break off in. Cricket is not a human being sport and everyone needs to supply," she said.

The Punjab outfit was thrash by league debutants Pune Warriors India, skippered by India middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh, in its opening game in Mumbai.

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