MS Dhoni was a visibly pleased man after his team Chennai Super Kings were crowned the Indian Premier League (IPL) champions for the second successive year. They thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore by 58 runs in a one-sided final on Saturday.
Dhoni credited the win to the swashbukcling start given by the openers. “They gave us a good start and that helped us sustain the momentum,” said Dhoni. “We didn’t want to get desperate to win, but the intent was there. Our bowling was good. Ashwin has a big heart and he is not afraid to toss the ball up in the Powerplay. But it was the foundation that Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey laid that eventually helped us to win.”
Set a mammoth target of 205, Bangalore faltered badly in their reply, losing in-form opener and highest run-scorer of the IPL, Chris Gayle in the first over to Ravichandran Ashwin.
Bangalore, seeking their maiden IPL title, never recovered from that blow and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Saurabh Tiwary, who top-scored with an unbeaten 42, seemed to fight a lone battle as the visitors never looked like threatening to chase down the huge target and ended up on a disappointing 147 for eight.
Ashwin was the star for Chennai as he added two more wickets to his name after snaring the early scalp of Gayle, to finish with figures of three for 16 as the hosts put in a disciplined bowling performance.
Earlier, electing to bat first, the defending champions were off to a rollicking start courtesy Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay, who put on a record 159 for the opening wicket.
Vjijay was the star of the show with a superlative 52-ball 95 as he spanked the Bangalore bowlers all over the park. His innings included four boundaries and six maximums. He found great support from Hussey, who contributed 63.
Besides the two finalists, Mumbai Indians form the trio of teams that have qualified for the Champions League due to be held in September.
Sreenath Aravind, who finished with two wickets for Bangalore but gave away 39 runs in three overs, admitted it was a disappointing day.
“I bowled on the wrong lines, It’s a lesson for me,” said Aravind. “I have said it is a batsman’s game, but one day the bowlers too will dominate. We could have won this match.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2011.
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