SUPER KINGS VS ROYAL CHALLENGERS: DHONI SHOWS HIS METTLE

Going in to this match, the pressure was on the Royal challengers having won only 1 out of their previous 3 games. Dravid's team seemed to be feeling the effects of the having an inexperienced bowling attack, with no real leader in the bowling department they seemed to be involved in a leather hunt during every match. On the hand super kings seem to be going from strength to strength in every department. With likes of Hayden and Hussey on song their batting line up is firing on all cylinders. The return to form of Jacob Oram in bowling department has bolstered the Chennai team.

At start of the game there was one notable change in chennai line up as Muttiah was replaced by Albie Morkel and Dale steyn was brought into the Bangalore outfit to provide some much needed teeth to the bowling. Chennai won the toss and elected to bat. This move payed immediate dividence as Styen opened with a fiery spell, ably supported by Zaheer. Parthiv and Hayden were dismissed early, Chennai Seemed to be stuttering at 43-2 , but then enter Mr. Cricket Michael Hussey. Along with captain Dhoni rebuilt the innings and from th 16th over Dhoni took the attack to the opposition taking a special liking to Steyn. Taking him for 23 runs in the 19th over. The Chennai super kings finished with 178.

Bangolre in reply did not start too well, with Jaffer showing that he is not a natural when it comes to this format. Chipli palyed a rash shot and lost his wicket cheaply, with Bangalore staring down the barrel at 20-1 needed a hero. Ross Taylor answered the call for his team with some lusty blows that resembled a man hacking a tree but very effective none the less. Out of the blue Jaffer seemed to have woken up to the fact that this was a t20 game. Jaffer opened up with some splendid blows and it seemed as if Taylor and Jaffer would guide them through. But Bangalore then committed cricket suicide, with some poor shot selection. At this point I would like to question the selection policy for Bangalore choosing not to play Misbah-ul-Haq. The lack of calm head in the middle for the royal challengers, was more than obvious. A lack of application ensured that Bangalore snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. They finished at 165 all out.