IPL is said to be a boon and an opportunity for budding and former players who are waiting to be reselected in the International squad. The match between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab was a perfect stage for Lakshmipathi Balaji to prove his talent. Once admired by Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf for his tremendous performance in Pakistan tour was overlooked by the selectors because of Balaji’s injury worries. Balaji declared himself match fit and bagged the IPL’s first hat-trick wicket and sent strong signals to the Indian Cricket Selectors.

Chennai Super Kings headed by M.S. Dhoni started their Innings and piled up 181 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. The opening batsmen failed to give a big boom to the team but the middle order stood tall and resisted the bowling attack of Kings XI Punjab and enriched the runs. Suresh Raina mostly compared with Sachin made a quick 26 runs off 17 balls (4 boundaries). Badrinath, the local lad and the team’s skipper Dhoni had a solid partnership and built a firm foundation for the team. Badrinath blasted 64 runs from 47 balls (6 boundaries and 3 sixers). The World Twenty-20 Champion M.S. Dhoni scored 60 runs outta 43 balls (2 boundaries and whopping 4 sixes). Kings XI Punjab’s bowling was fairly decent. Sreesanth bowled 4 overs, gave away 29 runs and took 2 major wickets.

In reply to this good total, Yuvi’s boys had a fairly good opening. Marsh and Hopes brought a meager hope for the team’s victory which was cut shot by the local lad and the comeback hero – Lakshmipathi Balaji. Balaji varied his pace and bowled lot of slower balls and managed to pick 5 wickets in 4 overs by giving away 24 runs. Pathan’s cameo Innings of 40 runs off 18 balls (3 boundaries and equal sixers) ended up in vain. The Punjab team ended their quota of 20 overs by scoring 163 runs for the fall of 9 wickets. Chennai Super Kings won the match by 18 runs and Lakshmipathi Balaji was declared the Man of the Match.

Posted on May 11th, 2008 by Trix
Filed under: IPL Cricket