IPL - 5

Pune Warriors won by 7 wickets ( Indian Premier League, 16th match: Pune Warriors v Chennai Super Kings at Pune, Apr 14, 2012 )



Both captains had been uncertain about how the pitch at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune would behave, but though it had few demons in it, Chennai Super Kings' power-packed batting line-up could only muster a middling 155. That had to do with Pune Warriors' bowlers aiming for the blockhole as often as possible, backed up by some sharp fielding, something which is a rarity in the IPL.

Super Kings' innings was built around a clutch of boundaries at the start of the innings from one of their cheapest buys, Faf du Plessis, and a flourish from their most expensive signing, Ravindra Jadeja, in the second half.

The openers began slowly before du Plessis waded into the fourth over from Ashish Nehra, taking 18 off it including a six over the bowler's head after advancing down the track. Du Plessis went on to become the highest run-getter of the tournament, but his opening partner M Vijay's struggles continued. With only 23 runs in four matches so far this IPL season, Vijay couldn't find his touch today either, holing out for 8 off Angelo Mathews' first ball.

Still, Super Kings were well placed after du Plessis' blast, but were slowed down by legspinner Rahul Sharma's strikes. Du Plessis had used his feet excellently all innings, but he was beaten by the extra bounce from a Rahul delivery to be stumped well out of his crease. Rahul's other strike had little to do with his bowling - Suresh Raina powerfully drilling the ball towards long-on, but the flat hit couldn't beat a cool Steven Smith at the boundary.

Warriors then kept a lid on the scoring through some fast and full bowling from Marlon Samuels, who fired in a succession of quicker deliveries, some clocked as high as 127kph. The batsmen couldn't get under those deliveries, and even MS Dhoni couldn't find the boundaries, finishing on an underwhelming 26 off 28.

Jadeja came out firing, and provided some impetus. Samuels' darts and Ashok Dinda's impressive ability to consistently deliver yorkers, though, kept the scoring down. All through the second half of the innings, one kept waiting for Super Kings' big onslaught, but Warriors' bowlers ensured that it never came.

Source:- espncricinfo.com/