IPL 2015, Qualifier 2, CSK vs RCB, Highlights: Chennai Enter Sixth Final by Beating Bangalore in Thriller
Chennai Super Kings entered a record sixth Indian Premier League final after beating Bangalore by three wickets in Ranchi. Ms Dhoni's men in yellow now face Mumbai Indians in the finals at Kolkata on May 24. Catch all the highlights of the game here.
Chennai Super Kings entered a record sixth Indian Premier League final after beating Royal Challengers Bangalore by three wickets in a thriller at Ranchi. Chasing a tricky 140 on a slow pitch, the Chennai chase was guided by the experienced Michael Hussey and skipper MS Dhoni. Hussey scored his fifteenth IPL fifty and added 47 runs with the captain Dhoni.
Earlier, Ashish Nehra continued his impressive season and picked up three wickets to break the back of Bangalore's batting. he sent back Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the same over to push Bangalore on the backfoot. Chris Gayle laboured to a 41 but it was an enterprising cameo from the 17-year-old Sarfaraz Khan that took Bangalore past 130.
Catch all the highlights of the game here. (SCORECARD | STATS | GALLERY)
(All times in IST)
2340: That's it! Chennai have done it again! Sixth final for Dhoni's men. They will meet Mumbai Indians on May 24 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
2337: OUT! Dhoni's gone! The match isn't over yet! CSK need 1 run from 2 balls.
23:36: Two more for Dhoni and scores are level.
2335: Gets a two first ball, superb running from Dhoni and Jadeja.
23:33: BOWLED! What a delivery! Reverse swinging - Starc uproots Bravo first ball! CSK need 5 from the last over.
2332: RUN OUT! Negi (12) falls short as Sarfaraz hits the stumps. CSK need 5 runs from 7 balls.
2330: Single, single, two - Dhoni doing it his way. Brilliant running from the Chennai captain.
2328: FOUR! Starc into the attack and Dhoni charges down the track to lift him over covers. Super shot!
2326: Another fantastic shot from Negi. Creams the ball through covers but Wiese does well at the boundary to keep it down to two. Chennai need 13 runs from 12 balls now.
2323: SIX! Cow corner it is! Pawan Negi swings and connects - ball flies into the wide long-on boundary. He's been sent before Jadeja and Bravo and this man can bat.
© BCCI
2319: OUT! Chennai didn't need that. Hussey (56) falls to Wiese. Pull shot goes wrong as the ball grows big on him. CSK now need 32 runs from 21 balls.
2314: SIX! 15th fifty for Mike Hussey. He's walking the chase for Chennai - what a player and what a stage to perform! Super Kings need 34 runs from 24 balls now.
2310: SIX! Mike Hussey jumps out of the crease and slams Chahal into the sight screen! He's well set now, he's looking to take CSK across the line. 42 runs from 28 balls.
2304: Good over from Chahal, just two runs off it. Bangalore need to break this partnership.
2258: FOUR! You can't bowl that to Hussey - rank short ball, swivels on the back foot and whips it past long-leg. Chennai require 58 runs from 42 balls to win.
Thus could be a cliffhanger here. #RCBvsCSK. Mr Cricket pacing this at the moment
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 22, 2015
2250: Dhoni and Hussey - the most calmest heads in world cricket is out there for the Super Kings. Chennai couldn't have asked for a better pairing and what a beautiful strike from Hussey! Vintage Mr. Cricket - leans into the ball and caresses it through covers for a FOUR! CSK need 68 from 48 balls now.
© BCCI
2242: OUT! Raina gone for a duck! His poor IPL continues. Why would he play that shot so early? Chahal is turning the game for Bangalore. CSK 61/3 (9.4 overs)
2240: BOWLED! Chahal knocks Du Plessis (21) over. Goes too much across for the sweep and misses it completely. CSK now need 79 runs from 10.4 overs to win.
2234: FOUR! Du Plessis plays the 'Dil'-Scoop. And FOUR more! This time down the ground - what a beautifully timed shot from the South African. CSK 58/1 after 9 overs.
2230: Hussey doing what he does best - moving the strike, keeping Chennai abreast with the required run-rate. He knows this is a tricky chase and it won't be won by the big boundaries. He's running hard and Bangalore look a touch deflated.
2227: Stumping chance missed - Wiese delivers down the leg and Karthik misses the chance. Faf du Plessis was out of the crease. That's a big one.
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2220: Bangalore look a little flat - the body language is missing, not much cheering on. Kohli needs to lift the morale of his side a bit. A couple of close chances have gone down but the match is far from over, especially on this track.
2213: FOUR! Harshal drops it short and Hussey swivels to pull it past long-leg. Mike Hussey is key for Chennai in this chase - the wicket is two-paced and this man has the experience to take the men in yellow through.
2210: DROPPED! First ball - Du Plessis edges and Gayle drops him at first slip! Hits him in the chest, wasn't ready at all! Hussey, almost finds the fielder at deep square-leg next ball.
2207: OUT! Smith (17) swings across the line and finds Starc off Arvind. He will be gutted with that shot there. CSK 21/1 (3.1 overs)
2204: FOUR! Up and over - Smith finds room and his hands take over. Lofts Starc over covers. Starc doesn't look a 100% here, may be a niggle somewhere and oh! Under edge and that one flies through slip and the keeper for FOUR! CSk 21/0 after 3 overs.
2200: FOUR! Didn't time it at all Smith, just lifts it over the mid-off fielder and it raced away.
© BCCI
2140: Swing and a miss. Dot ball to end the innings. Bangalore didn't want this for sure but Chennai has done remarkably well to restrict the Royal Challengers to 139/8. The wicket is slow and low but can Bangalore defend this total with the dew coming on? It might just be a tricky chase.
2138: OUT! Sarfaraz (31) fails to pick the slower and cuts it straight to Negi at point. Bravo gets the first of the night.
2136: OUT Wide from Bravo, Harshal trying to steal a bye. Too easy for Dhoni, hits the stumps directly!
2135: FOUR! Another one from Sarfaraz. Dug in short from Bravo and he powers it over the cover fielder.
2132: FOUR! Sarfaraz is still going on - on the pads and flicked away. Superb use of the bottom hand there, this man is super talented.
2130: OUT! Bravo doesn't drop 'em! Should have been his wicket but no problem, he catches him! Wiese goes for the pull and RCB now in dire straits - 125/6 (18.2 overs)
2126: DROPPED! Du Plessis drops a catch - yes, read it again. The man who snaps up beauties drops a skier from Wiese. Misjudged it completely. Never got into position and never looked like catching it.
2123: SIX! Did you hear that come off the bat? Great sound and even a better hit from Wiese - launches Bravo into the stands.
2118: OUT! Nehra again, Karthik (28) holes out to Mohit with a miscue. The left-armer from Delhi is turning the clock back. 4 overs, three for 28 - what a stunning performance from Ashish Nehra, yet again. RCB 107/5 (16.2 overs)
2116: FOUR! Nehra back in the attack and Karthik takes him on - over the bowler's head.
2113: FOUR! Over the bowler's head now. The 17-year-old Sarfaraz is taking Jadeja on. Sarfaraz Khan is providing some entertainment here - he's moving all around the crease, running hard and getting a few boundaries. This man is a live wire. RCB 103/4 after 16 overs.
2112: Two left-arm spinners now - this is down the Dhoni avenue now. FOUR! Sarfaraz goes over cover and finds the boundary.
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2106: OUT! Whoa! That's why MS Dhoni is the coolest captain - his man-friday has done it! Gayle (41) tries to pull and miscues it completely. Raina runs back and takes a good return catch. RCB 80/4 (13.3 overs)
2104: SIX more! Gayle into overdrive now. The Raina experiment is going to cost Dhoni.
2103: SIX! Gayle gets stuck into Raina and whacks him over mid-wicket. One over too many for Raina?
2058: Oh! That struck Dhoni on the chest! Brilliant from Bravo - Karthik had no clue what happened there, completely flummoxed by that slower delivery. Bangalore need a move on after 13 overs 67/3.
2052: FOUR! FOUR! Finally, Karthik gets some in the middle of the bat. Dances down the track and takes on Suresh Raina. Bangalore need some momentum here. RCB 65/3 after 12 overs.
2050: Another superb over from Mohit Sharma - right on line. Gayle and Karthik can only push the singles here and Gayle is even struggling to run between the wickets. He's striking rather limping at a strike-rate of 74!
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2042: Raina into the attack. The match is into Dhoni territory now - he will use his spinners and squeeze the runs. What will Gayle do now? Go for the big ones? Stay put for a few more over? The pitch looks slow and the ball is definitely not coming on. This would be a tough scratch for the hard-hitting opener.
2036: Mohit Sharma is doing a top job here - holding up one end. Absolutely no free deliveries on offer from Gayle. The big Jamaican is struggling to get the ball off the square. RCB 41/3 after 9 overs.
That's a 39-year-old on the fielding going full stretch - @ChennaiIPL #CSK #IPL https://t.co/1HNXzMt7mU
- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2015
2033: OUT! Mandeep (4) caught brilliantly by Hussey off Ashwin. What a catch that was! That's a 40-year-old man! Mandeep sweeps, Hussey covers a lot of ground, dives in front and comes up with a brute! Take a bow, Mr. Cricket! Take a bow! RCB 36/3 (7.1 overs)
Saw that Hussey catch right down below where we are. Absolutely stunning. What do they say about age being just a number!! #PepsiIPL
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 22, 2015
2031: FOUR! What a way to spoil a fantastic over! Mohit Sharma slides down the leg and Gayle gets a fine tickle to fine-leg. Dhoni won't be happy with that! RCB 36/2 after 7 overs.
© BCCI
Nehra ji got big wkt of AB .. Old is gold ..
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 22, 2015
2021: OUT! Nehra traps De Villiers (1). Snakes into the pads and was there an inside-edge? Was that too high? What a start for CSK! The old-man is doing it again! RCB 25/2 (5 overs)
2019: Big Appeal! What was that missing? Nehra wraps Gayle on the pads - may be a touch high!
Nehra ji took virat wkt well done ... Old is gold
- Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 22, 2015
2018: OUT! Kohli (12) departs! Nehra draws first blood! The Delhi lads have a duel on - Nehra has now dismissed Kohli six times in eight games! CSK 23/1 (4.1 overs)
2015: What a stunning over from Ashwin that is! Gayle in two minds against the turn and accuracy of the tall off-spinner!
2012: FOUR! Swatted away by Kohli - touch short from Nehra and Kohli slaps it over mid-on. SIX! Down the tack and over the bowler's head - top class shot!
2007: FOUR! Top-edge trying to sweep, very close to the fielder at short fine-leg. That would have been a disaster to be caught down there.
2005: Ashwin to share the new ball - the pitch is dry, expected move from Dhoni. Turn. bounce and beaten - nicely done by Ashwin.
2003: Oh! Lovely comeback from Nehra - ball swinging in, leaving Gayle in two minds. The smile's back on Nehra's face! RCB 6/0 after 1st over.
2001: SIX! That's how you get off the mark! Gayle comes down the wicket and lifts Nehra over covers - sails over the ropes. The show has started at Ranchi.
2000: Nehra with the new ball. Gayle and Kohli are out in the centre - fasten your seat belts, this one's going to be an epic clash!
© BCCI
Play Hard, Play Fair - Spirit of Cricket at #IPL #CSK #RCB pic.twitter.com/4urgSEUrU9
- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2015
Best in the business @msdhoni winning the toss. @ChennaiIPL to bowl first on a very dry wicket. Lots of moisture on the outfield #CSKvRCB
- Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) May 22, 2015
1945: Dhoni: "It is quite dry and there will be some dew. Worried about the dew factor. A lot is at stake now but it will be the small things which will matter."
Bravo: "The loss against Mumbai Indians was bad. We now have another chance and we are trying to focus on this game."
Kohli: "It is a big game. Another exciting game to look forward. It has been a ground where I have enjoyed my cricket."
Good toss to win. @ChennaiIPL win the toss and will bowl. @msdhoni thinks there will be dew. #gameon #semi @ipl
- Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) May 22, 2015
1940: The teams for tonight -
CSK XI: DR Smith, M Hussey, S Raina, F du Plessis, DJ Bravo, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, P Negi, A Nehra, R Ashwin, M Sharma
- IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2015
#RCB XI: @imVkohli*, Gayle, Mandeep, AB, Karthik†, David Wiese, Sarfaraz, Yuzi, Aravind, Starc & Harshal #CSKvRCB #PlayBold #IPL #Qualifier2
- Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) May 22, 2015
1930: Toss time - Dhoni wins the toss and Super Kings will bowl first. Kohli would have batted first anyway. MS Dhoni clearly worried about the dew on the ground and both teams have made no changes in their playing XIs since their last game.
© BCCI
Huge crowds waiting outside the hotel. #unbelievable #cricketfans #iplcraze #Ranchi. #RCB #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/dgbLLpCjH4
- Iqbal abdullah (@iqqiabdullah) May 22, 2015
1920: There will be a few interesting battle in the game tonight - Gayle vs Nehra, AB vs Ashwin, Starc vs Smith and of course, the Battle Royale - MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli. Whoever wins these mini battle will eventually stay standing at the end of the game.
1915: The last two games of the 2015 IPL are upon us. Mumbai Indians are already in the finals, tonight they get to know their opponent. Till now, Chennai have reached five finals whereas Bangalore have managed just one. On current form, Bangalore should be favourites but against a team that boasts of Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja, Du Plessis, Bravo and Dwayne Smith, you can't take the eye off the ball. It's promises to be a cracker of a game tonight!
Crowd gathering outside the JSCA International Stadium at Ranchi Can expect a full house #CSKvsRCB #IPL pic.twitter.com/uyBUEvtgqH
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 22, 2015
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The men in yellow have comfortably beaten Kohli's Royal Challengers in both league games this season but in a knock-out game past records seldom matter, especially with Bangalore in red-hot form. (RCB vs CSK: A Test of Kohli against Dhoni)
Chennai topped the IPL, yet again but this has been a patchy season for them. They have dominated in parts but haven't looked unbeatable. They surely have have displayed their weaknesses and Mumbai Indians exploited them to crush in the first qualifier. (MS Dhoni Needs to Fire: Dean Jones)
The absence of Brendon McCullum has stung the Super Kings. Dwayne Smith hasn't been at his best while Suresh Raina is going through his worst IPL season so far. The Indian left-hander has had a few starts but has not been able to capitalise on them. Last game against Mumbai, he was pushed down the order as well. (Kohli Named Sixth Most Marketable Athlete)
Then again, Raina is a big game player and if he turns up tonight, Bangalore could be in for a serious leather chase.
The Royal Challengers started the season cautiously. However, they have notched up their performances by a couple of gears as the tournament has progressed and in the eliminator, they took Rajasthan Royals to the cleaners. (RCB's New Hero in IPL 8)
Their big guns are firing and are destroying their opposition - Chris Gayle, Kohli, De Villers are all in form and Mitchell Starc is breathing fire with the ball in hand.
Add to that their two rising performers - Yuzvendra Chahal and Mandeep Singh. (De Villiers Taught me to Keep Head Still While Batting: Mandeep Singh)
Chennai might be ahead 11-7 in the head-to-head but on current form, Bangalore look more likely to catch the flight to Kolkata.
But then again, on MS Dhoni's home ground, it might all just be a different story.