IPL6: Match45: Suresh Raina Ruins the Kings with his Century, Kings XI Punjab lose to CSK despite Gallant Fight from Shaun Marsh and David Miller in a close finish

Super Suresh: Chennai Super Kings are always dangerous playing in their back yard. Having won the toss and electing to bat first, CSK imposed a large total on board, courtesy a magnificent Century by Suresh Raina. CSK made 186 runs losing 4 wickets. After the early departure of Wriddhiman Saha, Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina had a nice company and put on 55 runs in 44 balls for the 2^nd wicket and steadied the ship. Hussey departed in the 12^th over at the score on 82 runs. Dhoni could not trouble the scorers and was run out for 2 runs for a beautiful throw by Rajgopal Satish, anticipating a nd run which was not there. Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel once again stabilised the conditions by putting on 74 runs in 38 balls for the 4^th wicket. In this mega partnership, Raina made the bulk of the scoring with Morkel left to do the supporting role. His contribution was 51 runs in just 22 balls. Suresh Raina playing like a Super King went undefeated on 100 runs coming on in the penultimate ball. His century came in just 53 balls including 7 boundaries and 6 maximums. No bowler could claim his prized scalp when he was on fire. It was one of the finest t-20 hundreds and came in when Chennai needed the most. With his help CSK scored 70 runs in the final 5 overs. Raina was declared the man of the match, not before he saw a gallant fight given by his counterparts, David Miller and Shaun Marsh who almost took away the game from CSK.

Chasing a mammoth 187 runs to win, Kings XI Punjab could manage just 171 runs while losing 7 wickets. But they took on the match to the wire and did not give away easily, courtesy a fantastic batting display by Shaun Marsh(73 runs, 51 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) and David Miller(51 runs in 26 balls, 5 fours and 2 sixes). They put on 95 runs in just 52 balls for the 4^th wicket and almost won the match for Punjab. But a triple blow by Dwayne Bravo who claimed 3 wickets in the final over within a space of 5 balls, including that of Shaun Marsh, when Kings Punjab needed 19 runs to win turned the fortunes towards CSK. Bravo gave away just 3 runs and gave his team a 15 run win. Mohit Sharma picked 2 wickets and Ashwin took the other wicket.

Another win for CSK means that they are very near to set their foot in the elite four….

Kings XI Punjab, we must say were again on the receiving end and lost a close match after doing all the hard work. They might just be confirming their exit………………….