With nearly 450 runs scored in 40 overs here, it is, no doubt, turning out to be true value for money for the paying spectators. However, such a scenario raises questions of what would be a safe total in the Twenty20 format?
In what turned out to be a 33-run victory for Chennai Super Kings’s batting might over Kings XI Punjab’s potent pace attack, it became clear that even a target of 200 is within reach of the team batting second, thanks to batting friendly-pitches, fast outfield and altered boundaries, at least at the PCA Stadium here.
On Saturday, Hussey’s unbeaten 116 inspired Chennai to 240 for five in 20 overs. With a target that would have been defendable even in a 50-over game, Chennai had almost batted the opposition out of the contest before a far-from-partisan crowd of around 15,000.
Expensive overs
What truly took the match away from the host was the addition of 73 runs to the Chennai innings in the last 5.3 overs. Hussey and S. Badrinath presented a fine mix of dash and deftness, enterprise and elegance to effectively put the issue beyond argument.
When Punjab chased under lights, James Hopes played to his reputation of being a specialist in this form of the game. For the better part of the innings, the host’s hopes rested on Hopes as he used the long handle effectively. Until he left in the 11th over for a 33-ball 71, including three sixes and a 10 boundaries, Punjab looked in with an outside chance.
Thereafter, in the background of the mounting asking rate, Kumar Sangakkara helped himself to a half century after skipper Yuvraj Singh had departed cheaply. By that time, the winner was already identified, only the margin was awaited.
But the day truly belonged to Hussey. The left-hander kept Chennai on the right track with an unbeaten knock that included nine sixes and eight boundaries. He reached his half century off 31 deliveries but raced away to the next 50 off just 19 balls. Among the bowlers, only Brett Lee made some impression.
After Parthiv Patel made S. Sreesanth look most ordinary by greeting him with three successive boundaries and Matthew Hayden failed to make the most of a good start, Hussey hogged the spotlight amid changing supporting cast. Suresh Raina, who hoisted three sixes, looked good for more after Mahendra Singh Dhoni fell cheaply. Jacob Oram did not last long but Badrinath chose the opportunity to remind the selectors that he could be very effective even in this form of the game.
Badrinath smashed two sixes and as many boundaries, as he came up with improvised strokes. If Badrinath can cash in on more such opportunities in the competition and showcase his abilities, he would do his chances of playing international cricket a world of good.
The scores: Chennai Super Kings: P. Patel c Sangakkara b Lee 15, M. Hayden b Pathan 25, M. Hussey (not out) 116, M.S. Dhoni lbw b Hopes 2, S. Raina c Pathan b Mota 32, J. Oram b Pathan 13, S. Badrinath (not out) 31, Extras (lb-2, nb-1, w-3) 6, Total (for five wickets in 20 overs) 240.
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-57, 3-62, 4-128, 5-167.
Kings XI Punjab bowling: Lee 4-0-35-1, S. Sreesanth 3-0-35-0, Hopes 4-0-53-1, Pathan 4-0-47-2, Goel 2-0-25-0, Chawla 1-0-19-0, Mota 2-0-24-1.
Kings XI Punjab: K. Goel c Patel b Gony 24, J. Hopes c Joginder b Amarnath 71, K. Sangakkara c Joginder b Muralitharan 54, Yuvraj c Amarnath b Joginder 23, S. Katich (not out) 21, I. Pathan (not out) 3, Extras (b-2, lb-4, w-5) 11, Total (for four wickets in 20 overs) 207.
Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-111, 3-153, 4-190.
Chennai Super Kings bowling: Oram 4-0-37-0, Gony 4-0-42-1, Muralitharan 4-0-33-1, Amarnath 4-0-42-1, Sharma 4-0-47-1.
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