It’s now two years on the trot that the Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore have dished out humdingers at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. The latter has found itself on the losing side in both, courtesy some batting blitzes — Albie Morkel in 2012 and Ravindra Jadeja and M.S. Dhoni in 2013 — and last over no-balls.
Reflecting on the same, RCB’s R. Vinay Kumar said: “Death bowling is difficult, more so when big hitters like Dhoni are playing. Last few games we have bowled well. But it’s unfortunate that it has happened twice in Chennai.”
He said CSK batted well overall. “Even though we bowled well, their batting took it away from us, especially Dhoni’s innings with a few sixes and boundaries,” he said.
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Refusing to blame R.P. Singh for the debacle, he said: “The format is such that anything can happen. Unfortunately, the first two balls went for ten runs. RP did well to pull it back. He had bowled the 20th over in the last two games too. Unfortunately it didn’t go his way this time.”
Jadeja applauded CSK’s bowling unit. “I think it was a good wicket to bat on, with even bounce and the ball was coming on to the bat. Before Virat [Kohli] got out in the 17th over, they were 133. We thought that the score would touch 180. But we got wickets and pulled them back well. Later, the partnership between Dhoni and me was crucial.”
Jadeja cited the lack of turn in the wicket as the reason for not using Ashwin upfront. “Before the wicket used to turn a bit more but this year none of the spinners have been able to turn and beat the bat. Therefore, we thought of having a different strategy.”
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