MDStar
School Cricketer
Greetings!
I value this opportunity to summarize last nights' IPL Finale which the Chennai Super-Kings won comprehensively, indeed.
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Side_Note: The contents of this thread are based solely on my opinions and hence this should be taken into account for, before replying.
___
Pre-match Expectations and Analysis
the Chennai Super-Kings, defending champions and the most consistent team in the IPL yet, had ridden through the challenges to the final with grit and determination on capturing their 2nd title. Led by the calm and cool-headed Mahendra Singh Dhoni, they definitely proved that they could take on opponents of the highest caliber.
the Royal-Challengers Bengaluru on the other hand, started off poorly but altogether looked an almost un-beatable side and ended up proving so, after Chris "the_destroyer" Gayle joined their ranks. Their team also included other match winners, namely- AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Dan Vettori(c) and Zaheer Khan to name a few. They lost to the defending champs in the first Qualifiers but beat Mumbai Indians in the second to appear in their 2nd IPL finals.
--
Strengths: An over-all well balanced side, with a strong batting line-up and a lethal spin attack supported by an aggressive pace bowling duo in Doug Bollinger and Albie Morkel.
Weaknesses: Have failed to win matches where batting has not lived up to expectations(batting first).
X Factor: Chennai will look at its charismatic captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lead them to victory and also make a considerable contribution with the bat.
_
Strengths: Top three batsmen have been in good form, pacers have picked up crucial wickets at the top.
Weaknesses: Lack a quality spinner to support Dan Vettori, may be a decisive blow especially on a Chennai wicket(pitch)
X Factor: Bengaluru will rely heavily on Gayle to give them a solid and explosive start at the top.
_
------------------------
The Super-Kings won the toss and elected to bat. M Vijay and M Hussey got them off to a flyer, with an opening stand of 159 runs before Hussey dragged one on to long on and lost his wicket after making a top-notch 63. From then on, Chennai sailed easily through to 205 loosing just four more wickets after Husseys' dismissal. M Vijay scored 95 runs before he got out.
A total as big as 205 and in a pressure filled final, could RCB pull it off?
They would need something very special..
but NO.. their key man Christopher Henry Gayle got out in the third bowl of the innings- to R Ashwin and things didn't look bright from then-on.. Bengaluru slumping to 147 for the loss of eight wickets in their twenty overs.
The Result: Chennai Super Kings 205 for 5 (Vijay 95, Hussey 63) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 147 for 8 (Ashwin 3-16) by 58 runs and hanging on to their IPL crown for a 2nd consecutive year.
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MDStar
I value this opportunity to summarize last nights' IPL Finale which the Chennai Super-Kings won comprehensively, indeed.
--------
Side_Note: The contents of this thread are based solely on my opinions and hence this should be taken into account for, before replying.
___
Pre-match Expectations and Analysis
the Chennai Super-Kings, defending champions and the most consistent team in the IPL yet, had ridden through the challenges to the final with grit and determination on capturing their 2nd title. Led by the calm and cool-headed Mahendra Singh Dhoni, they definitely proved that they could take on opponents of the highest caliber.
the Royal-Challengers Bengaluru on the other hand, started off poorly but altogether looked an almost un-beatable side and ended up proving so, after Chris "the_destroyer" Gayle joined their ranks. Their team also included other match winners, namely- AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Dan Vettori(c) and Zaheer Khan to name a few. They lost to the defending champs in the first Qualifiers but beat Mumbai Indians in the second to appear in their 2nd IPL finals.
--
Chennai Super-Kings
Strengths: An over-all well balanced side, with a strong batting line-up and a lethal spin attack supported by an aggressive pace bowling duo in Doug Bollinger and Albie Morkel.
Weaknesses: Have failed to win matches where batting has not lived up to expectations(batting first).
X Factor: Chennai will look at its charismatic captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lead them to victory and also make a considerable contribution with the bat.
_
Royal-Challengers Bengaluru
Strengths: Top three batsmen have been in good form, pacers have picked up crucial wickets at the top.
Weaknesses: Lack a quality spinner to support Dan Vettori, may be a decisive blow especially on a Chennai wicket(pitch)
X Factor: Bengaluru will rely heavily on Gayle to give them a solid and explosive start at the top.
_
The Pitch
The Chennai pitch will assist spin bowlers considerably, and will slow down as the match progresses. the Toss will be extremely crucial.------------------------
The Match
The Super-Kings won the toss and elected to bat. M Vijay and M Hussey got them off to a flyer, with an opening stand of 159 runs before Hussey dragged one on to long on and lost his wicket after making a top-notch 63. From then on, Chennai sailed easily through to 205 loosing just four more wickets after Husseys' dismissal. M Vijay scored 95 runs before he got out.
A total as big as 205 and in a pressure filled final, could RCB pull it off?
They would need something very special..
but NO.. their key man Christopher Henry Gayle got out in the third bowl of the innings- to R Ashwin and things didn't look bright from then-on.. Bengaluru slumping to 147 for the loss of eight wickets in their twenty overs.
The Result: Chennai Super Kings 205 for 5 (Vijay 95, Hussey 63) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 147 for 8 (Ashwin 3-16) by 58 runs and hanging on to their IPL crown for a 2nd consecutive year.
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MDStar
