IPL 6: Hussey fires as Chennai Super Kings demolish Kings XI Punjab

The Chennai Super Kings rode on Michael Hussey’s fine half-century against Kings XI Punjab, thrashing the hosts convincingly by ten wickets. Clearly, Chennai Super Kings’ athletic fielding set the base for the victory, and Hussey and Vijay led the Super Kings’ chase with a sparkling 139-run stand for the first wicket that eventually sealed the game for them. Hussey finished with 86*, while Vijay scored 50*.

Right from the toss, everything went Chennai Super Kings’ way. Mahendra Singh Dhoni won an important toss and had no hesitation in fielding first, given the nature of the Mohali wicket. Chennai Super Kings’ opening bowler Nannes was constantly troubling Gilchrist and Mandeep Singh with his outswingers. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s aggressive field placement made it difficult for the Kings XI Punjab’s openers. He had Hussey at unorthodox position, but he was rewarded with the wicket of Gilchrist (9), as the latter flicked Nannes delivery, but couldn’t keep it along the ground, with Mike Hussey pulling off a spectacular catch. Chennai Super Kings’ seamers dominated the game and kept chipping away at the wickets at regular intervals, before David Hussey and Gurkeerat Singh put on a salvaging partnership of 56 runs for the fourth wicket. At that moment, Punjab were cruising along nicely and a 150-odd total was on the cards. However, Ashwin stymied their score as he grabbed the wicket of Hussey for 41. Kings XI Punjab subsequently lost the plot and were bundled out for 138 runs.

Kings XI Punjab’s biggest test was in the last five overs, as the Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers were on top. It was also intelligent captaincy from MS Dhoni, as he reserved his best bowlers for the death overs. He also had his best fielders controlling the boundary line. Chennai Super Kings took 6 wickets for only 22 runs in the last five overs, helping them restrict Punjab. Chris Morris, playing his first IPL game, had an excellent day with the ball as he grabbed couple of wickets.

Vijay and Hussey had a steady start to their innings, ensuring that they did not lose too many wickets within the first six overs. Chennai Super Kings begun to dominate once Gilchrist introduced Chawla. Chawla was unlucky in his first over as he dropped a simple catch off Hussey, and Gilchrist missed a stumping chance the very next delivery. Soon after, it was Hussey and Vijay who dominated the Kings XI Punjab, and in the end won convincingly by ten wickets.

Chennai Super Kings were also lucky, as Hussey survived a run-out even as he was just short of his crease when the ball hit the stumps. The umpires decided to declare the close call not out, as the bail was not completely dislodged.

Gilchrist made all the possible bowling changes, but couldn’t get any rewards, as the Super Kings’ openers looked in fine form. They were also sloppy in the field, fumbling and missing chances.

Chennai Super Kings play their next game against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 13, while Kings XI Punjab play their next game against Rajasthan Royals on April 14.