By BV Swagath
Chennai Super Kings won their first game of IPL 6 drubbing hosts Kings XI Punjab by 10 wickets at Mohali. The match was set up by the CSK bowlers who skittled out Kings XI for a modest total of 138 in 19.5 overs. CSK got the target without losing any wickets with 14 balls to spare.
Earlier, Dirk Nannes provided a good start for CSK removing the Kings XI openers – Gilchrist and Mandeep Singh in the 3rd over. David Hussey with 41 (from 36 balls with 4 fours and a six) along with Gurukeerat Singh (31 from 26 balls) put up a partnership that seemed to be taking the Kings XI to a competitive total but the two right handers failed to last the distance.
Chennai pegged away at wickets at regular intervals to restrict Kings XI Punjab to a below par total. Dwayne Bravo was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 27 while Nannes and Chris Morris took two wickets each.
CSK in their run chase should have lost Michael Hussey through a run out but the TV Umpire came up with a huge blunder and pressed the wrong button. Hussey made best use of the life to take the Kings XI Punjab bowling to the cleaners with an unbeaten knock of 86* (from 54 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes). His opening partner Murali Vijay helped himself to an unbeaten 50 from as many balls with 3 fours and a six.
Toss and Teams: Chennai Super Kings have won the toss and asked hosts Kings XI Punjab to bat first at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. South African pacer Chris Morris replaces Ben Laughlin for the Chennai Super Kings. Kings XI Punjab have retained their winning combination.
Kings XI Punjab: Adam Gilchrist (C&WK), Mandeep Singh, Manan Vohra, David Hussey, Azhar Mahmood, Gurkeerat Singh, Rajagopal Sathish, Piyush Chawla, Ryan Harris, Parvinder Awana, Praveen Kumar
Chennai Super Kings: Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, S Badrinath, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Morris, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ankit Rajpoot, Dirk Nannes
