Mon, 18 Apr 2011 - IP Kochi vs IP Chennai, IPL 2011, 18th Match - Bulletin

All-round Kochi script maiden win at home

Overcoming a poor start to their maiden IPL campaign, Kochi are on a role as they followed their stunning against Mumbai with another impressive against defending champions Chennai by seven wickets in rain affected 17 over a side game.

With target revised to 135 runs as per Duckworth/Lewis Method after Chennai had posted 131 runs in 17 overs in rain truncated innings, all of the top five batsmen contributed significantly with the bat to set up a well paced chase.

Wicket keeper batsmen Parthiv Patel and Brad Hodge continued on the good work from their openers, Mahela Jayawardene and Brendon McCullum to set up a memorable win as like in Mumbai win all-rounder Ruvindu Jadeja gave it the finishing touch with two sixes.

At no point during the chase, Chennai were on the top with bowlers failing to get team the breakthroughs and Kochi batsmen scoring without much of a fuss to complete the chase with two overs to spare.

Kochi openers started chase in a brisk fashion with Mcullum and Jayawardene taking attack to the Chennai bowlers. As usual McCullum bludgeoning his way into the innings, Mahela was concentrated on playing a risk free cricket.

McCullum charged Albie Morkel twice in two overs to deposit him into the stands and getting chase on his way as Mahela took a liking to R Ashwin to hit him for a six and four before wily off-spinner had a last laugh having Kochi captain caught when batsmen miscued a lofted drive.

The pair put on 39 runs for the opening stand following their match winning effort against Mumbai.

Mahela’s dismissal however had no effect on McCullum’s aggressive intents as he alongwith Parthiv Patel put the chase on course putting on crucial 51 runs off 36 balls. McCullum hit three sixes and four boundaries in his 33-ball 47 before becoming Ashwin’s second victim.

His fall did raise some hopes in Chennai camp but were cut short courtesy a gritty and aggressive 34 from 24 balls unleashing some gorgeous strokes through off-side and made sure Kochi didn’t surrender a great position to Chennai.

With Doug Bollinger claiming wicket of Patel, seasoned Hodge and young Jadeja did the formalities to complete a maiden Kochi win at home.

After given a chance to have first use of cloudy evening, Kochi bowlers were disciplined during most of their bowling effort to limit strong Chennai batting lineup to 131 runs in 17 overs.

A competitive total from Chennai was largely made possible by yet another IPL fifty from Suresh Raina who anchored the batting effort before getting out in pursuit of quick runs.

Kochi bowlers maintained good line and lengths not to let Chennai get away with the things and also had their best show on the fielding showing lots of energy and athleticism on the field.

Raina’s fifty that was marked with some streaky moments edging more than once during his stay at the crease but didn’t throw his wicket away to play another crucial innings for Chennai.Most of the Chennai batsmen struggled to get the big shots away as Kochi bowlers were right on the money and getting the ball to do a bit both ways.

Chennai had a bad start to the innings as they lost their last game’s batting hero Michael Hussey to RP Singh in third over after left arm fast had him in trouble for the most part of his short stay at the crease.

Murali Vijay did crack some trademark strokes of him during his 18 ball 28 but his good little innings was cut short by a straighter one from Thisaara Perrera catching batsmen plumb infront.

There was some rearguard action from Raina and Badrinath but it was rain that halted the Chennai recovery as nearly one and half hour was last forcing umpires to reduce the game 17 overs a side.