IPL 2012: In-form Gambhir powers KKR to 5-wicket win over CSK

Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Suyash Srivastava

Chennai: Well, the MA Chidambaram stadium is no more a fortress for the Chennai Super Kings. The defending champions were defeated for the third time this season in front of the home crowd, as Kolkata outclassed Dhoni’s boys by 5 wickets. Scorecard »I Points table » With six needed off the last over, there was a twist in the tale. Yusuf Pathan scored a couple off the first ball but perished while attempting a big hit off the third. But Debabrata Das, who scored a crucial boundary in the penultimate over, hit a boundary off the next ball to seal the victory in style. Such was KKR’s dominance that Chennai managed to score just two boundaries in the last ten overs. On two occasions, Raina and Jadeja attempted big strokes and perished. It was a result of some terrific ground fielding from Kolkata with fielders stopping some certain boundaries. The only odd moment they faced came in the 19th over when Morkel was dropped by Shukla, but that did not do any damage as it was the penultimate delivery of the innings and Morkel scored just a couple off the last ball. Chennai Super Kings were unable to put a formidable total after Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat. Their in-form batsman Faf du Plessis (3) was out in the second over bowled by Brett Lee. The South African who has been in excellent form for Chennai this season was out as he nicked a ball to Brendon McCullum. He opened the innings with Mike Hussey who replaced Nuwan Kulasekara in the playing XI. Hussey was in good touch as he scored two boundaries before getting run-out for 18. Suresh Raina, who had scored just one 30 plus score for Chennai in the last 9 outings finally got back to some form as he scored 44 runs off 34 balls. Raina was out in the 13th over and the skipper Dhoni (30*), Jadeja (9) and Morkel (13) failed to find boundaries towards the end. Gambhir kick-started the Kolkata innings with a boundary and even after McCullum departed in the third over, he went on to share a 70-run partnership with Jacques Kallis (26 from 31). Towards the end, the match was a reminder of a thriller played between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, but Debabrata Das made sure that he didn’t let his captain down. As a reward for hitting the winning runs under pressure, Gambhir gave away his Man of the Match award to the youngster who he reckons is a fine talent to look out for. Just like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir also looks in sublime form and we can look forward to a final match between the two sides considering their current form. Kolkata are right behind Delhi Daredevils in the points table with 13 points from 10 matches.