IPL 4 - CSK qualifies for finals beating RCB

There was a never a dull moment at Wankhede – the netural venue where CSK played RCB. There was one moment of anxiety – a brutal shot from Dhoni clone from Jharkhand Saurabh Tiwary hit Ashwin on the head and flew to long off.  Ashwin was dazed and hopefully there is not much damage.

Unlike the other tournaments, where the top 4 teams play Semis – the format in IPL 4 is : CSK has qualified for the Finals; MI and KKR would play today and winner would meet RCB.  The winner of this match would proceed to the finals.  CSK, RCB and winner of today’s match would qualify for Champions League 2011.  Thus today’s match is ticket for Champions League as also presenting possibility of challenging CSK in the finals.

Gayle failed against Ashwin after clouting him for a six.  Little known  Mayank Agarwal provided a good start; De Villiers failed – the good knock of Virat Kohli ensured a formidable score of 175.   CSK started off poorly,  Hussey went without disturbing the scorers and M Vijay failed again leaving CSK tottering at 7 for 2.  Raina flourished partnering Badrinath, then Dhoni and finally Morkel.  Some lusty hits by Raina and Morkel ensured CSK finishing in style.   During the middle Chennai was lagging behind but two good overs – one off Abhimanyu Mithun (13^th for 23 runs) and Zaheer (17^th – 20 runs) did them in.  

If you are wondering what the Champions League is about – it is an International T20 competition held between club teams of various countries.  The third and 2011 season is to be played in India in Sept/Oct 2011.  The following tournaments have been confirmed as qualifying tournaments: 2011 Indian Premier League – 3 teams ; 2010–11 Standard Bank Pro20  South Africa – 2; 2010–11 KFC Twenty20 Big Bash,   Australia – 2; 2010–11 Caribbean Twenty20 – 1 and 2011 Sri Lanka Premier League, Sri Lanka – 1.

Those with good memory would remember that on Sept. 26, 2010, Dhoni led CSK lifted the Champions trophy.  They were set a target of 128 by DA Jacobs.  Davies struck some fours but got out in an ungainly reverse sweep off Ashwin.  Murali then playing for CSK exhibited his class and returned magical figures of. 4-0-16-3 reads his figure ; Ashwin finished with 2/16 off 4. After ten - CSK were 65 without loss. Murali Vijay got the golden bat and Ashwin, the ball - two to Chennai besides the cup.

Now those who are putting a big whistle for CSK are hoping of a repeat – a win in the Finals of IPL 4 and CL 3.

Regards – S. Sampathkumar