 Chennai Super Kings pip Mumbai Indians
24th Apr 2008 08:00 IST
Agencies
Earlier, Matthew Hayden blasted 81 and featured in a century stand with Suresh Raina (53) as Chennai Super Kings amassed 208/5.
With a 46-ball knock that was studded with 12 fours and two sixes, Hayden once again proved the thorn in the flesh for Harbhajan Singh, who led the Mumbai side in absence of their regular captain Sachin Tendulkar, down with a groin injury.
Harbhajan, finally, found some solace when his direct throw caught Hayden short of ground towards the end of the innings.
Put into bat, the Chennai Super Kings got off to a rollicking start with Parthiv Patel (14) and Hayden putting on 34 runs in the first three overs before Ashish Nehra applied the brake.
Nehra had Patel caught behind and five runs later, Michael Hussey (5) too was back in the hut after dragging a Dhaval Kulkarni delivery onto his stumps.
In Raina, Hayden found an able ally and the duo scored at a brisk rate. Raina was fluent as he smote Bravo, Harbhajan and Nayar over the ropes to keep pace with Hayden, who was his aggressive self at the other end as they put on a century stand.
The duo put on 104 runs in about 10 overs before Raina holed out to Bravo to depart after a 37-ball knock that included three sixes and as many boundaries.
Hayden, however, maintained the momentum and though Harbhajan pressed into service as many as eight bowlers, including himself, runs came thick and fast.
Dhoni (30) chipped in with a 16-ball cameo to take the side past the 200-mark. |
