Valthaty helps Punjab overcome Chennai

Mumbai send Bangalore packing in IPL.

MOHALI:

Kings XI Punjab opener Paul Valthaty hit a brilliant century to upstage the efforts of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings as the hosts overcame a stiff target of 189 to register their first win in the Indian Premier League.

Valthaty hit a 63-ball 120 with the help of 19 boundaries and was relentless in his punishment of the Chennai bowlers. He shared a 61-run opening partnership with captain Adam Gilchrist (19). Useful middle-order contributions helped Punjab overhaul the target. Suraj Randiv was the pick of the bowlers ending with figures of one for 32.

Earlier put into bat, Chennai were in trouble losing their first two wickets with no runs on the board. Thereafter, Murali Vijay (74) and Subramaniam Badrinath (66) took command of the proceedings to pull their team out of trouble. Vijay hit six boundaries in his blistering knock. A late rally by Dhoni (43) propelled Chennai to 188. Praveen Kumar was the most successful bowler finishing with two for 37.

Mumbai crush Bangalore

Sachin Tendulkar led Mumbai Indians to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore overhauling a target of 141 with nine deliveries to spare.

Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 55 and shared an unbroken 110-run partnership with Ambati Rayadu who top-scored with 63. Meanwhile, Dirk Nannes was the lone wicket-taker for the hosts.

Earlier, put into bat, Bangalore were off to a terrible start, losing Mayank Agarwal to the first ball of the match. They were soon reduced to 19 for two, and thereafter never really dominated the disciplined Mumbai attack despite Tillekaratne Dilshan’s top-score of 59, which included four boundaries. Kieron Pollard was the pick of the bowlers picking up two for 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th,  2011.