Chennai Super Kings

IPL: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings

The Kolkata Knight Riders took a last-ball seven-wicket victory over the Chennai Super Kings to register only their second victory of the 2009 competition at Centurion Park.

Half-centuries from Brendon McCullum (81) and Brad Hodge (71 not out) steered them to 189 for three after Suresh Raina’s 52 had helped the Super Kings reach 188 for three. Raina hit three fours and three sixes in his innings, facing 37 balls in all, coming to the crease after openers Parthiv Patel (25) and George Bailey (30) were both run out.

IPL Scorecard – Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings, 51st match

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with an unbeaten 40 while Albie Morkel was unbeaten on 21 in ten balls. Ashok Dinda was the only Knight Riders bowlers to take a wicket when he had Raina caught by Laxmi Shukla one ball after he had reached his half-century.

Brendon McCullum then smashed his way to 81 in just 48 balls, thumping 11 fours and three sixes, making light of the dismissal of Saurav Ganguly, bowled via an inside edge by Muttiah Muralitharan for four. McCullum was joined at the wicket by Brad Hodge, who played a masterful innings, hitting four fours and four sixes in 44 balls at the crease but after McCullum was bowled by Shadab Jakati and David Hussey ran himself out for three, there was plenty of work to do.

Some lusty hitting from Wriddhaman Saha, hitting out with a runner due to cramps, got the target down to six required from the final over, for which Dhoni turned to Raina with his off-spin. A dot ball was followed by three singles and two runs, leaving the scores level with a ball to go. Dhoni brought the field in, Saha thumped the ball over the fielders into the covers and the Kolkata finally felt the winning feeling again.

Chennai now need another win if they are to reach the semi-finals for the second year in succession as they have 15 points from 13 games and Kolkata Knight Riders have 5 points from 13 games.

Tags: Chennai Super Kings, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders