DELHI, India, CMC-Dwayne Bravo’s Chennai Super Kings scored a convincing 48-run win over Mumbai Indians to make a grand entry into the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the fifth time in six years yesterday.
Bravo rocked the Mumbai Indians innings with an excellent bowling spell after a breathtaking half century from Dwayne Smith had put them on course to victory. The Trinidadian all rounder finished with figures of three for nine of three overs while Ravindra Jadeja supported with three for 31.
Chennai bowled Mumbai Indians out for 144 to become the first team to reach the Finals of the sixth IPL after scoring a daunting 191 for one.
Mumbai, with Smith showing urgency and slamming sixes, looked set to take it to their opposition but capitulated after the West Indian was dismissed. Smith looked in ominous form, landing big blows, smacking two more sixes, off Chris Morris, and racing to his 50 off a mere 21 balls.
The powerful West Indian had five fours and four sixes in his quick-fire half-century.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja gave the big breakthrough for CSK when he forced Smith to give an easy catch to Suresh Raina at mid-wicket.
Smith, the only Mumbai batsman who scored more than 25 runs, received a standing ovation for his bold 28-ball 68 which gave MI a great start to be in the hunt. Smith’s West Indian team mate Kieron Pollard was the second highest scorer with 24 from 16 balls which included a six and two fours.
Earlier, Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina helped Chennai Super Kings make a massive score of 192 for 1 against Mumbai Indians.
Hussey breezed to a 58-ball 86 while Raina destroyed the Mumbai Indians attack with 42-ball 82.
