Super Kings barge into final

Chennai Super Kings killed the ‘momentum’ devil with an incisive display to book their berth in the final of the inaugural IPL here on Saturday.

After the bowlers had restricted Mohali to a measly 112, the batsmen did their part effectively to script an authoritative ninewicket win. Suresh Raina, who continued his smooth run, helped the team romp in the company of Parthiv Patel, who helped himself to his second half-century in the IPL.

No credit will be too much for Chennai’s professional approach. Given little chance to win even after having beaten Mohali twice in the league stage, Chennai dominated the match from start to finish. Barring spo- radic lapses in the field everything about their plan and execution was water tight. The fielders rallied around the bowlers brilliant- ly and that never allowed Mohali to get a move on. Dhoni continued to attack even after the field restrictions were off.

S. Vidyut partnering Parthiv Patel at the top fell to a ill advised pull shot that has let to his down fall on more occasions than one in the tournament. Raina was slow to start but once he had his eye in played some of the outrageous shots.

As many as four sixes were bludgeoned. Two came of well positioned pull shots.

The one that came off Hopes went out of the stadium.

Chennai were comfortably placed at 62 for one at the half way mark and there was only one team that looked interested in the proceed ings.

Raina picked Chawla for a six over long-on and then timed the next through extra covers for a four to bring his fifty. Parthiv was the first to reach fifty but Raina’s quality in stroke play overshadowed his effort.

Earlier Mohali, high on adrenaline after the heady win against Rajasthan in their last game came crashing down with an insipid batting show. Dhoni opened the attack with Muralitharan. With a batsman like Shaun Marsh running hot it was important for Chennai to think out of the box.

Murali’s first ball was dispatched to the cover fence and seven runs came of the first over.

What followed was hardly what the formbook suggested. James Hopes followed a wide delivery from Ntini.

Kumar Sangakkara, of whom much was expected on a wicket that offered lateral movement for the medium pacers also left following a delivery pitched well outside off stump.

The half hearted appeal from Gony was turned down by the umpire but Sangakkara walked.