Inspired Chennai send Punjab packing
An inspired Chennai Super Kings shrugged off the underdogs' tag with a comprehensive display to thrash Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets and join Rajasthan Royals in the IPL final
An inspired Chennai Super Kings shrugged off the underdogs' tag with a comprehensive display to thrash Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets and join Rajasthan Royals in the IPL final
So we've had another one-sided semi-final but again it's been down to a team effort. A highly disciplined bowling attack did the job before Parthiv and Raina finished it off. Chennai have now beaten Punjab in all three matches between the two sides and will need to gear up for Rajasthan tomorrow.
No hugs for the Punjab side from Priety today. It's been a disappointing effort but they can hold their heads high for the consistency they've shown through the league phases. They've been one of the most balanced sides in the tournament and strung together some fine wins. On the big day, though, it wasn't to be.
Yuvraj Singh being booed again. This is really not in good taste from the Mumbai crowd. "We had to play well in the first 5 to 7 overs," he says. "I think it was a good wicket to bat on. We didn't bat well and didn't do well under pressure. We've had a great tournament, very proud of the boys, especially Shaun Marsh. It's been a learning experience as a captain. We've been the best team in the tournament except against Chennai."
Dhoni gets the cheers. Mr Popularity. "The bowlers were upto the mark, bowled really well," he says. "Overall the intensity was good and the batting again got the start we needed. It was a good team effort. Fielding has improved as the tournament as gone on. If I say I don't feel pressure, I would be lying. If you walk upto a bowler and act is if you're worried it gets to him. So I act as if I'm not. Around 150 people came from Chennai and we got some good support from the Mumbai crowd too."
Man-of-the-Match Makhaya Ntini: "So far it's been a great challenge. I think everyone in Chennai has appreciated that. I have always smiled and don't show any pressure, make the ball talk. We knew that this wicket is going to be up and down so we needed to hit it as hard as we can. I cannot wait for tomorrow."
So that's it from me. Hope you enjoyed the game and join us again tomorrow for the final from DY Patil Stadium. This is Siddhartha Vaidyanathan signing off. Good night and good luck. Federer 4-2 in the third by the way. Looks like another one-sided one there.
Match home for the IPL semi-final between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings
Manpreet Gony had finished the league stage with 14 wickets, twice whatIshant Sharma managed, but he saved his best for the biggest game that he's ever played in
When it mattered the most, the Kings XI Punjab batting line-up were guilty of choosing the rash over the reliable
An inspired Chennai Super Kings shrugged off the underdogs' tag with a comprehensive display to thrash Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets and join Rajasthan Royals in the IPL final
Kepler Wessels and Trevor Penney look ahead to the second semi-final between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab