IPL: Kiwi Corey Anderson plundered by Dhoni as Super Kings win

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings in front to an impressive five-wicket win in an exciting, high-scoring Indian Premier League duel at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Dhoni’s innings was studded with 1 four and 7 sixes. Rayudu batted really well. You never know who gets a chance somehere and I’m happy for him.

“Rayudu is important in this line-up because he keeps the scoreboard moving, and small grounds are ideal for him”, Dhoni said.

“Opportunity. Having the confidence that he is a part of this team”. He displayed supreme athleticism and commitment to his team. There was drama; there was plenty of action, and fortunes of both sides oscillated like a pendulum – all ideal ingredients of a high-octane encounter.

South African superman AB de Villers smashed Chennai bowlers all over the park on his way to a superb knock of 68 runs of just 30 balls. Maybe that’s one reason he’s getting some resounding ovations when he is walking out to bat these days, reminiscing us of the days when people would go bonkers watching Sachin Tendulkar coming out to bat. It’s just the fact that de Villiers countered us so well.

He set out on a run that only seemed destined to end all the way back in Chennai before he was stopped by a team-mate. I thought it was 15-20 beyond par score. Unfortunately, Dhoni hit a couple of good shots. Taking off from de Villiers had left the RCB innings, Mandeep Singh scored a quick-fire 32 down the order to ensure that his innings along with Sunder’s last over exploits saw RCB reach past the fabled 200 run mark.

“So I have no problems with that”. He achieved the landmark when he scored his 60 run during the run chase.

It was the Chennai duo’s 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket that snatched victory from RCB, who looked in control of the match at one stage. With the 34-year-old in such devastating form, Bangalore can be forgiven for hanging their hats on their star-studded batting line-up. “The key for us was the two left-handers but we lost them early”. Coming together at a testing 74-4 in nine overs, pacer Umesh Yadav and leggie Yuzvendra Chahal having struck twice each, the duo stayed together nearly to the end, adding 101 from just 53 balls to dash the hopes of the home fans who outnumbered that of the visitors but not by much.