Chennai Super Kings’ skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was all praise for his bowlers after the home side’s three-pronged pace attack restricted Cape Cobras to a modest score of 145 in the Champions League Twenty20 match in Chennai on Wednesday.
“Had we lost, it would have become very difficult. The score of 145 was a very good effort by our bowlers, who capitalised really well when they lost a couple of wickets at the wrong time. Our bowlers did a good job,” said Dhoni after his team’s thrilling four-wicket victory over the Cobras.
“It was a big game for us and Bravo played a special innings in the end. My heart was pounding. We are looking forward to the next game,” the skipper added.
The pace trio of Albie Morkel (2 for 26), Doug Bollinger (2 for 25) and Dwayne Bravo (2 for 23) shackled the Cobras’ batting line-up and prevented their order consisting of Herschelle Gibbs, J.P. Duminy and Owais Shah from shifting the gears up.
Dhoni also conceded that while batting, Chennai neglected the importance of singles at the start.
The Chennai Super Kings, with this win, have two points, the same as the Cape Cobras and New South Wales while Mumbai Indians head the table with four points from two victories.
Cape Cobras’ captain Justin Kemp said that Chennai pacers bowled well with the old ball.
“We would have liked to score more at the back end, but I think the Chennai boys bowled well with the old ball. They were good in the end overs,” said Kemp.
Kemp picked all-rounder Bravo’s timely cameo for special praise and said, “It took something special from Bravo. We bowled well, but it was always going to come down to the last couple of overs, and they have a big batting line-up. Bravo played some exceptional shots and took the game away from us.”
“Overall it was a good game. We were right up there until the 18th over. A couple of mistakes here and there,” he added.
Man-of-the-match Dwayne Bravo, whose pyrotechnics (46 not out off 25 balls) took the Chennai Super Kings past the target of 145 with just two balls to spare, said, “Today was a great day for us. I was just backing my ability. I am enjoying my cricket now. Hope this continues later in the tournament.”
“Dale Steyn bowled just one bad ball and I got on top of it.”
Asked about his bowling, he said, “I have worked hard on my bowling in the nets and changed my action a bit. I am happy now.”
