Powered by an astonishing 50-ball unbeaten 73 from Suresh Raina, Chennai Super Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets with two deliveries remaining in the thrilling first qualifier of the Indian Premier League Season-4 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The defending champion is through to the final that will be played in Chennai on Saturday. RCB can still progress to the summit clash if it wins the second qualifier at Chepauk on Friday.
Pursuing a stiff 176, CSK needed 33 from the last two overs and 12 from the final over sent down by RCB captain Daniel Vettori. The blazing left-handed duo of Raina and Albie Morkel (28 not out off 10 balls) dazzled. Morkel concluded the match with a rousing six off the crafty Vettori.
The brave Raina, who endured cramps in the final moments of the gripping contest, was adjudged Man of the Match. The southpaw struck four boundaries and a stunning six sixes. The Chennai side, recovering from seven for two, looked adversity in the eye. Earlier, Virat Kohli impressed with a 44-ball 70 not out for RCB after CSK elected to field.
