Chennai Super Kings’ batsman Suresh Raina celebrates after scoring a century in his side’s IPL match against Kings XI Punjab, yesterday.
Chennai: Suresh Raina struck a fine unbeaten 100, the third century of Indian Premier League (IPL) season six, to set-up a 15-run win for Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here yesterday.
With their seventh consecutive win, Super Kings consolidated their position at the top of the table with 18 points from 11 matches and almost have a foot in the play-offs.
For Kings XI Punjab, it was their third consecutive loss and their play-off chances are getting tough as they are lying sixth with eight points from 10 matches.
Riding on Raina’s 53-ball 100, Super Kings piled up a mammoth 186 for four in 20 overs. Mike Hussey (35) and Albie Morkel, 23 not out of 16 balls, also came up with valuable knocks.
Shaun Marsh (73) and David Miller (51 not out) with their 95-run stand for the fourth wicket got Kings XI close but they still fell short by 14 runs, managing 171 for six in 20 overs.
Meanwhile, Robin Uthappa’s fighting knock of 75 went in vain as Royal Challengers Bangalore restricted Pune Warriors India to 170/9 to clinch 17-run victory at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune.
Murali Kartik’s double strike in the 18th over brought RCB back into the match. Kartik dismissed Abhishek Nayar and Uthappa to end Pune’s hopes.
Uthappa revived Pune Warriors India chase with his 34-ball fifty after the hosts lost their top order cheaply.
It was raining sixes in Pune when Uthappa and Angelo Mathews were batting in tandem as the duo added 63 for the fifth wicket in 33 balls to give Warriors a momentum.
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Vinay Kumar removed Yuvraj Singh and Steven Smith to dent Pune Warriors India’s chase.
Earlier, AB De Villiers played a blinder of an innings as he notched up an unbeaten 23-ball 50 to help Royal Challengers Bangalore set a massive 188-run target for Pune Warriors India.
De Villiers smacked three fours and two sixes in the last over of the innings to power RCB to 187/3.
Saurabh Tiwary notched up 42-ball fifty which is first for the Royal Challengers. AGENCIES
