IPL 2018: Chennai Return to Winning Ways Courtesy Sensational Bowling Display Against RCB

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday (May 5) evening came back to winning ways after registering a comprehensive six-wicket victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Maharastra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune.

The victory has almost sealed the playoffs spot for Super Kings. In all likelihood, Chennai might well become the first team to qualify for the next round.

It was a great bowling performance by Chennai which helped them restrict Bangalore to a below-par score of 127.

Despite a hiccup in the middle-overs, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at his ominous best and continued his rich vein of form. He smashed three sixes off the 18^th over of second innings while taking on Yuzvendra Chahal.

Earlier in the day, the two premium spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh turned to be instrumental in restricting Bangalore well under 130.

Parthiv Patel was included in the playing XI for the first time during the ongoing tournament. For Chennai Super Kings it was David Willey who was making his debut for the franchise.

The left-arm pacer made an immediate impact by bagging the wicket of Brendon McCullum. Parthiv Patel struck some exquisite shots and shared a 38-run stand with skipper Kohli.

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However, the RCB skipper was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. He was castled by an arm ball. It was a subdued celebration from Jadeja as he realized that it was the national captain.

Veteran spinner Harbhajan then removed AB de Villiers in his very first over. Mr 360 went for a reverse sweep and missed it altogether. Dhoni stationed behind the stumps whipped off the bails in a flash.

Wickets kept tumbling in regular intervals which never really allowed Bangalore to force their way back into the game.

Jadeja and Harbhajan were the wreckers in chief. They bowled eight overs in tandem and bagged five wickets together. The visitors were reduced to 89 for eight and looked like getting bowled out for a total less than 100.

However, Tim Southee played a brilliant hand of unbeaten 36 of just 26 deliveries which propelled Bangalore to 127 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chennai needed to bat sensibly. It wasn’t going to be a tough chase unless Chennai wouldn’t have had batted poorly.

Shane Watson after smashing a couple of boundaries was dismissed by a toe-crushing Yorker from Umesh Yadav.

From there on, Suresh Raina shared a fluent partnership with Ambati Rayudu as Chennai looked in complete control of proceedings.

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Raina was dismissed by Umesh as Southee completed a stunning catch at the boundary ropes. Two more wickets fell in quick succession as Bangalore sensed a comeback. They bowled well in the middle overs.

However, with Dhoni still at the crease, it was always going to be very difficult for Bangalore to win the match.

Dhoni started flexing his muscles at the fag end of an innings. He eventually smashed Chahal for three gigantic sixes with 22 required off the last 18 balls.

Well, it was sensational hitting as Dhoni continued his merry-run in the tournament. Chennai eventually reached the target with a couple of overs to spare. They now stand on the top of points table with seven victories to their name.

Brief Scores

Royal Challengers Bangalore 127/9 in 20 overs (Parthiv Patel 53, Tim Southee 36, Ravindra Jadeja 3/18, Harbhajan Singh 2/22)

Chennai Super Kings 128/4 in 18 overs (Ambati Rayudu 32, MS Dhoni 31*, Umesh Yadav 2/15)

Chennai Super Kings win by 6 wickets (with a couple of overs to spare)