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Fri, 18 April 2014
LIVE IPL! Rahane, Binny guide Rajasthan to victory

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23:44  
- Scorecard

A brilliant 77-runs stand between Ajinkya Rahane and Stuart Binny helped Rajasthan Royals to not only come out of a precarious situation, but also guide the Jaipur side to a impressive six wickets win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Chasing 134 for victory, Rajasthan got off to a poor start, before the duo bailed them out of the situation. 

Amit Mishra did pick up two wickets to turn the tide, but consecutive boundaries by James Faulkner sealed the game for Rajasthan. 

In the end, Binny remained unbeaten on 48, while Faulkner was on 8.
#Who-will-win-IPL-2014
23:27  
- Scorecard

Amit Mishra finally gets the breakthrough as he had Ajinkya Rahane caught in the deep by Aaron Finch for 59. 

Rahane looking to finish the game early couldn't clear the man at long-off as Rajasthan still in control of the chase.

At the end of 17 overs, Rajasthan were 110-4, still requiring 24 runs from 18 balls,

#Who-will-win-IPL-2014
23:17  
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Stuart Binny and Ajinkya Rahane have steadied the ship after early jolts threatened to hamper their run chase. 

The duo has added 41 runs so far with them dealing in singles and couples, getting the odd boundaries to keep them in the hunt. 

Rahane has looked scratchy but hasn't given away his wicket. 

The Mumbaiker soon brought up his half-century courtesy off a boundary off Dale Steyn to keep them in the hunt.

At the end of 15 overs, Rajasthan were 102-3, still requiring 32 runs off 30 balls.

Rahane is on 56, while Binny is on 31.
22:34  
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Phenomenal opening spell from Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have not allowed Rajasthan Royals to get off to a flying start in the chase.

Defending a low score, Sunrisers' have managed to pluck two wickets -- Abhishek Nayar and Sanju Samson early. 

Ishant Sharma then got into the act as he removed Shane Watson caught by KL Rahul for 3. 

Royals wobbling now at 36-3 after 7 overs.


22:17  
- Scorecard

Rajasthan Royals' teen sensation Sanju Samson is on his way back to the pavillion after playing an irresponsible shot for 3.

Sanju looking clear mid-off, was holed out to Dhawan, with the ball not quite coming onto the bat as he had expected. 

Royals 16-2 now.
22:04  
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Dale Steyn provides the opening breakthrough as he removes Abhishek Nayar for 4.

After hitting the bowler for a boundary off the first ball, Steyn cameback strongly to trap the Rajasthan all-rounder in front of his stumps. 

Rajasthan were 4-1 after 1 over.
21:59  
- Scorecard

Impressive bowling from Rajasthan Royals bowlers have restricted Sunrisers Hyderabad to 133-6 after being put into bat. 

Sunrisers team struggled for momentum from the on set and it was a complete contrast to the game that was player earlier in the day. 

Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner did provide the platform, but the duo of Rajat Bhatia and leg-spinner Parvin Tambe turned the complexion of the game with their tight bowling.

Such was the bowling display that Sunrisers could only manage six boundaries and two sixes in their innings. 

Bhatia finished with figures of 2-22, while Dhawal Kulkarni too was economical with 2-23.
21:32  
- Scorecard

Sunrisers Hyderabad are losing wickets at regular intervals in search of some quick runs. 

The latest one being Darren Sammy, who top-edged one to Sanju Samson off Kane Richardson.

Sammy was back in the hut for 6.
21:18  
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David Warner is the next man to perish, in search of some quick runs as he hit to Richardson for 32.

Richardson is having a field day as he has taken all the three catches of the day off the bowling of Rajat Bhatia. 

Sunrisers were 82-3 after 13.2 overs.
21:05  
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Rajat Bhatia strikes for Rajasthan as he had Shikhar Dhawan walking back to the pavillion after he hit one straight down Richardson's throat for 38.

Dhawan down on one knee swept Bhatia but couldn't clear the boundary. 

Sunrisers 79-2 after 12 overs. 
21:01  
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Kulkarni back for this third over. A big swing and miss from David Warner as Sunrisers are struggling to get any momentum. 

Warner is happy to deal in singles. Dhawan too deals in singles. 

Sunrisers are not getting the boundaries or sixes that we saw in the earlier game. 

At the end of 11 overs Sunrisers were 75-1. Dhawan is on 37, while Warner is on 28.
20:43  
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Pravin Tambe introduced into the attack now. First up is a flatter one from Tambe as Warner punches it wide mid-on for a single. 

Dhawan keeps the strike rotating with another single. 

Warner rounds up the over with another single as Sunrisers were 44-1 after 7 overs. 

Warner is on 16, while Dhawan is on 18.
20:27  
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James Faulkner now introduced as Shikhar Dhawan drives one through off side for a single. 

Warner collects a brace. Faulkner is not on target as he slips one down the legside for a boundary. 

A brace to end the over as Sunrisers were 17-1 after 3 overs.

 
20:15  
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Shikhar Dhawan and Aaron Finch out in the middle as Dhawal Kulkarni will open the proceedings for Rajasthan. 

First up is a swinging delivery, right on the money. 

Finch clips one off his pads for a brace. Kulkarni has been more or less on money for Rajasthan. 

As we speak, Finch hits one straight to Kane Richardson. One down for Sunrisers. 
19:47  
Welcome to the updates of the second game of the day between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. 

Punjab pulled off a ridiculous chase beating Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets. 

Well the news from the middle is that Rajasthan have won the toss and have elected to bowl first. 

4 dbutantes for Rajasthan with Abhishek Nayar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Rajat Bhatia and Kane Richardson making the cut. 

Sunrisers are going on with Aaron Finch, David Warner, Dale Steyn and Darren Sammy as their foreign players.
19:38  
PUNJAB WIN BY 6 WICKETS!!!

- Punjab 206-4 (18.5 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

A confident victory for the new look Punjab side to start off, in IPL 7. At the halfway stage, not many would have given them a chance to chase down this huge total.

Maxwell made the difference with his blazing innings of 95 from 43 balls as he used the reverse sweep and switch hit to good effect to unsettle the Chennai spinners.

Miller showed great maturity as he played second fiddle to Maxwell before finishing off things at the end with some huge sixes.

Chennai looked a bowler short and their spinners struggled in the middle overs. Ashwin took two for 41 in four overs, while Jadeja was hit for 43 in four overs the two leading spinners gave away a combined 84 runs in eight overs. Their fielding was also a big letdown as both Maxwell and Miller got a lifeline each.

Stay tuned for the next match as 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at 2000 hours IST.
19:25   Maxwell, Miller lift Punjab to victory over Chennai
PUNJAB WIN BY 6 WICKETS!!!

- Punjab 206-4 (18.5 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Mohit starts with a slower ball which Bailey hits to long-off for one and Miller edges a full toss to thirdman for a single.

Bailey takes two runs to deep midwicket before he lofts a full delivery wide of long-on for a four to bring up the 200 for Punjab.

He ends the innings in style as he pulls a short ball over midwicket for another four.

Punjab win by six wickets with seven balls to spare to register only the fourth occasion that a total in excess of 200 has been chased down successfully.

Bailey made 17 from 10 balls while Miller played a good innings of 54 not out from 37 balls to take Punjab to 206 for four in 18.5 overs.

#Who-will-win-IPL-2014
19:17  
- Punjab 194-4 (18 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Veteran Nehra is back with Punjab looks the favourites at this stage. Bailey and Miller trying to play it sensibly with singles and ensuring that they don't lose any unnecessary wickets with victory in sight.

Nehra concedes just four runs in his third over to leave Punjab with 12 needed from two overs for victory.
19:15  
- Punjab 190-4 (17 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Jadeja comes back and he fires the first one down the leg side which Bailey nudges fine for a couple followed by a single.

Miller takes over the mantle now as he crashes Jadeja over long-on for a six before he hits the next over over long-off for another maximum.

The next ball is turned square for a couple to bring up Miller's fifty from 32 balls.

18 runs from that Jadeja over as Punjab now look in control with 16 needed from three overs for victory.
19:09  
- Punjab 172-4 (16 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Dhoni's gamble of bowling with Smith backfires as Maxwell lofts him over long-on for a six and then flicks the next ball over short fine leg for a boundary to race to 95.

However, Smith gets revenge as he bowls Maxwell with a yorker that sneaks under the bat.

Maxwell walks back to a standing ovation having made 95 from 43 balls, having hit 15 fours and two sixes at an amazing strike rate of 220 to bring Punjab back in the hunt after two early wickets.

Captain George Bailey is off the mark with a single before Miller plays the late cut, steering the last ball past short thirdman for a four to get 16 runs from the over.

Punjab now need 34 runs from four overs for victory.
19:04  
- Punjab 156-3 (15 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Maxwell lofts Ashwin over mid-off for a boundary to move into the 80s and takes two from the next ball to bring up the 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Miller, from 55 balls.

Miller is yet to get going and continues to struggle with his timing. He comes down the track to Ashwin but gets an inside edge to deep midwicket for one.

Maxwell then fails to put away a full toss and the reverse sweep is stopped by the fielder at short thirdman and then can't beat the fielder at midwicket for two dot balls in a row.

Punjab need 49 runs from five overs for victory.
18:58  
- Punjab 147-3 (14 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Bravo's injury means that his fellow West Indian Dwayne Smith has be called into the attack to bowl his medium pacers.

Maxwell continues to reverse sweep as he hits a full toss over the fielder at short thirdman for a boundary. He gets another lifeline as substitute fielder Samuel Badree fails to take a tough chance at deep square leg.

Nine runs from the over as KXIP reach 147 for three in 14 overs, with 59 needed from six overs for victory.

18:53  
- Punjab 138-3 (13 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Negi is back and Maxwell immediately decides to target him. The first ball is slogged over midwicket as the fielder stops it but his feet is touching the ropes and it is given a boundary.

The next ball is in the slot and Maxwell smokes it over midwicket for a huge six. He sweeps the next ball square for another four before the left-arm spinner bowls a wide outside the off-stump to make it 15 runs from three balls.

Maxwell then eases the third ball through the covers for another boundary as Negi comes under some punishment. He then gets a leading edge for a single to the covers. Miller then makes room for two runs to sweeper cover to get 22 runs from the over.

Punjab are 138 for three in 13 overs with 68 needed from seven overs for victory.

Maxwell is playing a blinder having smashed 72 from 32 balls so far, while Miller has made 27 from 23 balls.


18:46  
- Punjab 116-3 (12 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Maxwell is hits on the pads but the huge appeal for LBW by Jadeja is turned down. The right-hander then sweeps him over fine leg fielder inside the circle for a four to bring up his fifty in some style, from 25 balls.

He is again struck on the pads as Jadeja tumbles on the pitch in his attempt to appeal for LBW but again his pleas are turned down.

Miller edges the last ball as it goes past Dhoni for a four to make it 12 runs from the over.

Punjab are 116 for three in 12 overs, needing 90 runs from eight overs for victory.
18:44  
- Punjab 104-3 (11 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Ashwin comes back with Punjab needing a few big overs to keep in track with the asking rate, which is over 11.

Maxwell tries to slog Ashwin over midwicket but gets an inside edge for two runs on the leg side. He plays the switch hit off the last ball as Bravo makes a superb diving effort to his left but fails to stop the boundary and injures his shoulder in the process.
18:40  
- Punjab 93-3 (10 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

The dangerous Maxwell (37) gets a lifeline as he tries the reverse sweep yet again but Nehra puts down a sharp chance at point off Jadeja.

An excellent over from Jadeja as he concedes just three singles in that over.

At the halfway stage, Punjab are 93 for three, needing 113 runs from 10 overs for victory.

Maxwell holds the key, he is batting on 38 from 19 balls, while Miller is struggling to get going on 18 from as many balls.
18:34   Maxwell's attack keeps Punjab in the hunt vs CSK
- Punjab 90-3 (9 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Miller comes down the track to Negi and lofts him straight down the ground for a huge six. Negi makes a good comeback bowling four dot balls in a row before Miller takes one from the last ball to retain strike.

Punjab are on course at 90 for three in nine overs.
18:33  
- Punjab 83-3 (8 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. Miller cuts the first ball past point for a couple before he hits a boundary through the covers two balls later.

Maxwell scoops the final delivery over the keeper for another four that takes his score to 37 from 18 balls.
18:26  
- Punjab 72-3 (7 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Pawan Negi comes into the attack. Maxwell hits the first ball wide of long-on for a couple before he repeats the shot off the next ball for two more runs.

He then gets a leading edge trying to turn it on the leg side but it falls safely for a single.

A single for David Miller before Maxwell gets another couple square on the leg side to make it eight runs from the over.
18:24   Ashwin's double strike leaves Punjab in trouble
- Punjab 64-3 (6 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Patel fails with the bat on his IPL debut. He is foxed by the straight quicker delivery from Ashwin as he plays down the wrong line and is struck on the back pad to fall LBW for two.

Even though the run rate is good, Punjab are in a spot of bother at 52 for three.

Maxwell continues to use the reverse sweep to good effect against Ashwin as he hits him past point for a boundary. A full delivery is chipped over the covers for the same result as Maxwell races to 25 from 10 balls.

He takes a single from the last ball to retain strike.

Punjab have kept in touch with the run rate in the Powerplay to reach 64 for three in six overs.
18:18  
- Punjab 52-2 (5 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Maxwell looks desperate to take on the bowlers. A full delivery from Mohit Sharma is sent crashing through the covers for a four, his second of the innings.

Two balls later, he gives the bowler the charge and makes some room but McCullum comes up with a superb save in the covers.

Mohit then tries the slower ball and Maxwell is beaten all ends up as he looks to heave it across the line. He gets the fifth ball over mid-off for another four.

The last ball is on the pads and Maxwell flicks it over midwicket for the third boundary of the over as Punjab race to 52 for two in five overs.
18:13   Kings XI Punjab in trouble after early wickets vs CSK
- Punjab 40-2 (4 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Punjab have sent in a pinch hitter in the form of Glenn Maxwell at No. 3. Ashwin comes into the attack and is bowling from round the wicket. Pujara takes a single from the first ball before Maxwell reverse sweeps the next from way outside the off-stump and hits it square for a boundary.

Pujara (13) tries to play the sweep but misses and the LBW appeal is upheld by the umpire in the favour of Ashwin bowling from round the wicket.

Akshar Patel survives a huge shout for LBW off the first ball before he takes two runs from the last ball.

Punjab have a good run rate but dented by the loss of their openers to reach 40 for two in four overs.
18:08   Sehwag out for 19, Punjab lose 1st wicket
- Punjab 31-1 (3 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Pujara gets into the act now. A full delivery from Nehra is flicked through midwicket for a four before he pulls a short ball square on the leg side for another four.

Sehwag then cuts a short ball over the off-side for third four and repeats the dose as he smashes a full delivery over the covers for the same result.

However, Nehra gets his revenge as Sehwag plays all over a short delivery and is bowled for 19.
18:02  
- Punjab 14-0 (2 ovs) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Mohit Sharma to bowl the second over. Sehwag is off and running as he eases the second delivery between cover and point for a boundary making most of some width on offer.

Two balls later, he flicks one off his pads past the short fine leg for another four. In between he plays and misses outside the off-stump as he again throws his bat to wide deliveries.

He gets a leading edge off the last ball but Jadeja is unable to hold on running back from mid-off and Sehwag gets two runs in the process.
17:58  
- Punjab 3-0 (1 ov) vs Chennai 205-4 | Scorecard

Veteran Ashish Nehra to bowl the opening over for Chennai. Punjab have an interesting duo to open the batting in the form of swashbuckling Virender Sehwag and the technically correct Cheteshwar Pujara for company.

Pujara defends the first ball confidently before he steers the next to thirdman for one. Sehwag cuts the third ball to the same region for a single before Pujara takes one from the fifth ball as three come from the first over.
17:43  
- Chennai 205-4 (20 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Interestingly, Chennai had similar opening and finish to their innings, scoring 59 from the first five and 60 from the last five. McCullum went berserk at the start to hammer 66 from 43 balls, while Smith hit a quickfire 67 from 45 balls with the openers putting on 123 runs from 76 balls for the opening wicket.

A tough ask for Punjab, who also have a lot of firepower in their batting including the likes of Virender Sehwag, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell and George Bailey.
17:40   Openers McCullum, Smith power CSK to 205 vs Punjab
- Chennai 205-4 (20 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Dhoni goes after Balaji in the final over, hitting the first ball back over the bowler's head for a six. Two balls later, Bravo smashes it over the cover region for another maximum before his captain Dhoni smashes the fifth ball through midwicket for a four.

However, Dhoni falls off the last delivery caught at long-off trying for another huge hit.

Dhoni walks back after a quickfire 26 from 11 balls as CSK finish on a huge 205 for four in their 20 overs.
17:37  
- Chennai 187-2 (19 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Awana to bowl the 19th over. Dhoni hits the first ball wide of sweeper cover for a couple before he takes one from the next ball.

Raina falls two balls later as he tries the ramp shot over the keeper but holes out to Sehwag at short fine leg to fall for 24 from 19 balls.

A good over from Awana, giving away just seven runs as CSK reach 187 for three in 19 overs.
17:30  
- Chennai 180-2 (18 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Johnson to bowl his final over and he would be looking for a wicket to check Chennai's progress.

Raina drives the first ball down to long-on for a couple before he takes two for the next ball on the leg side.

A single each for the two Indian batsmen before Raina ends the over with a couple.

Johnson's nightmare with the ball ends as he finishes with 47 runs from four overs.
17:25  
- Chennai 172-2 (17 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Balaji provides Punjab some relief as he takes the wicket of Smith, who mistimes a full toss and is caught on the off-side after a splendid innings of 66 from 43 balls, having hit six fours and three sixes.

New batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni edges a low full toss and it goes past the wicketkeeper for a boundary. He gets two runs off the next delivery courtesy of overthrows before he steers the last ball through thirdman for another four.
17:19  
- Chennai 160-1 (16 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Australia's Ashes hero Johnson has struggled to make an impression so far for KXIP. Smith hammers the second ball down the ground powerfully for a boundary. Raina then lofts one over midwicket for the same result before Johnson oversteps but the left-hander can't make most of the free hit.

Johnson has been quite expensive, going for 39 runs in three overs.

CSK going at 10 runs per over at 160 for one in 16 overs.
17:17  
- Chennai 145-1 (15 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Maxwell comes for another over. Three singles from the first four deliveries before Smith reverse sweeps the fifth ball to bring up his fifty from 37 balls.

He then smashes the last ball down the ground for another huge six as CSK continue their run feast.
17:15  
- Chennai 132-1 (14 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Raina gets a lifeline as wicketkeeper Saha puts down an easy chance off Dhawan as the left-hander looked to slog it on the leg side but got an edge.

The medium pacer bowls another tidy over, giving away just four singles. He has given just eight runs in his last two overs after being hit for 13 in his first.
17:14   McCullum out for 67, Chennai lose 1st wicket
- Chennai 128-1 (13 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

McCullum slams Patel over long-off for a huge six but the bowler gets his revenge two balls later. He plays the slog sweep but fails to get enough distance as Maxwell takes a good catch.

McCullum walks back after a splendid innings of 67 from 45 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes.

The two openers put on 123 runs for the opening wicket from just 76 balls to give CSK the perfect start.

Suresh Raina, who is playing his 100th IPL match for CSK, walks out to bat after a good platform provided by the openers.

He gets off the mark with a boundary through thirdman region off Patel.
16:57  
- Chennai 116-0 (12 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Dhawan is back for another spell after going for runs in his first over. He makes a good comeback giving away just four singles with good mix of pace.

McCullum has gone quiet for a bit but it won't be long before he goes on the attack again.
16:54  
- Chennai 112-0 (11 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Glenn Maxwell comes into the attack with Punjab desperate to make the breakthrough. Smith lofts the first ball over long-on for a six. He drives the second powerfully down the ground for a couple before he is beaten by one that turns the other way.

Two more single as Maxwell gives away 10 runs in his first over.
16:50  
- Chennai 102-0 (10 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Balaji comes back after an expensive first over from Dhawan. He manages to stop the flow of boundaries as Smith and McCullum collect six runs through ones and twos.

Chennai are looking set for a huge total as they reach 102 for no loss in 10 overs. McCullum is on 58 from 37 balls, while Smith has made 32 from 23 balls.
16:49  
- Chennai 96-0 (9 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Akshar Patel will continue as McCullum takes a single from the second ball before Smith blasts the next ball down the ground for a four.

Two singles from the last three deliveries as CSK continue the flow of runs.
16:39   McCullum blasts quickfire fifty to put Chennai in control
- Chennai 89-0 (8 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Punjab introduce medium pacer Rishi Dhawan, the highest wicket-taker in last year's Ranji Trophy.

The first ball is short and McCullum pulls it over square leg fence for his fourth six. The next ball is cut over the off-side field but Johnson runs around from sweeper cover and keeps it down to a single.

Two balls later, he smashes a short wide delivery square on the off-side to race to his fifty from 30 balls.

Dhawan has gone for 13 runs in his first over as CSK reach 89 for no loss in eight overs.
16:35  
- Chennai 76-0 (7 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Patel comes back. Four singles and two wides but McCullum also survived a huge shout for LBW in that over. He is looking quite lethal with the bat and the longer he stays at the wicket, the bigger the danger for Punjab's bowlers.
16:33  
- Chennai 70-0 (6 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Johnson comes back. Smith takes a single from the second ball before McCullum smashes a full delivery over mid-off for a boundary. Two balls later, he deposits one into the stands over square leg for a huge six to continue his assault on Punjab bowlers.

CSK's openers have made most of the Powerplay to hammer their way to 70 for no loss in six overs -- their best score in the Powerplay in all editions of the IPL.

The two new players have made quite an impact with McCullum slamming 40 from 24 balls, while Smith has made 24 from 12 balls.
16:27  
- Chennai 59-0 (5 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Change of ends for Awana as Johnson is taken off now. He starts with a short ball which Smith pulls fine on the leg side for a boundary. The next ball is another long hop which Smith smashes over the off-side for another four as CSK openers continue their fireworks.

Smith takes a single on the leg side to bring up CSK's 50 in 4.3 overs.

DROPPED! McCullum gets a lifeline as Bailey puts down a tough chance at mid-on to give the Kiwi right-hander two runs, which brings up his 5000 runs in T20 cricket.

He then rubs more salt into Awana's wounds as he heaves the last ball into the stands over midwicket for a six as CSK race to 59 for no loss in five overs.

McCullum has blasted his way to 30 from 20 balls, while Smith is on 19 from 10 balls.
16:21  
- Chennai 41-0 (4 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Lakshmipathy Balaji comes into the attack after just one over from Awana.

Smith pulls the second delivery behind square on the leg side for a boundary before CSK are gifted a wide.

Good change of pace from Balaji as McCullum looks to attack but gets an inside edge before he takes a single from the next ball.

Eight runs from the over take CSK to 41 in four overs.
16:16   Chennai off a flying start vs Punjab
- Chennai 33-0 (3 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Just one over for the young Patel before he makes way for Australia's bowling ace Mitchell Johnson.

McCullum mistimes his drive as it lobs on the off-side but falls safely for a single. Smith then gets into the act as he plays a cracking drive through the covers for his first boundary.

A short delivery on the ribs is nudged fine by McCullum for a couple before he cuts the last ball over point for a six.

Chennai have raced to 33 for no loss in three overs.
16:10  
- Chennai 19-0 (2 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Parvinder Awana to bowl the second over as Mitchell Johnson is held back. McCullum throws his bat at a wide delivery but can't beat the fielder at covers. But he comes down the track to the next ball and smashes it over the infield for a boundary to deep cover.

Awana is unlucky as McCullum looks to flick a full delivery on the leg side but gets a thick outside edge which flies over the keeper for a four.

McCullum throwing his bat at everything but this time he gets an inside edge to short fine leg.

Awana then bowls a wide down the leg side before he punches the next but another good stop in the covers. He takes a single from the last ball to retain strike as Chennai reach 19 for no loss after two overs.
16:05  
- Chennai 9-0 (1 ov) vs Punjab | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, 20, to open the bowling on his IPL debut as Kings XI Punjab take a gamble right at the start. He will be up against two of the most explosive batsmen in international cricket -- Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith.

Smith gets off the mark with a single before McCullum cuts a short ball but Virender Sehwag gets a hand on it to keep it down to two.

Patel then fires a quicker delivery way down the leg side and it is ruled as five wides. But he manages to control things for the rest of the over with just a single coming from the last ball.
15:55  
Check out how the two teams line-up for today's match:

Kings XI Punjab: George Bailey (captain), David Miller, Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara, Glenn Maxwell, Wriddhiman Saha, Akshar Patel, Mitchell Johnson, Parvinder Awana, Rishi Dhawan, Lakshimpathy Balaji.

Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma, Pawan Negi, Ashish Nehra.

15:52   Chennai win toss, elect to bat vs Punjab
Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bat against Punjab in the third match of IPL 7.

The four overseas players for two-time champions Chennai are Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith and Dwayne Bravo.

Left-hander Suresh Raina will be playing in his 100th IPL match and all of those appearances have been for CSK since he joined them in 2008.

#Who-will-win-IPL-2014
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15:32   Chennai open campaign against revamped Punjab
Distracted to an extent by off-field furores surrounding them, two-time former champions Chennai Super Kings would look to bring the focus back on their cricketing prowess when they take on a revamped Kings XI Punjab in their IPL opener in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The Chennai outfit, the most dominant team in the past three seasons, is still reeling under the spot-fixing scandal, in which some of its top officials have been implicated besides a few players also being under the scanner.

But for the spot-fixing controversy which has rattled it, CSK led by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni can safely be called one of the most consistent teams in the IPL.

This year, CSK would be without some of their most reliable stars, including Australian mainstay Michael Hussey and South African Albie Morkel, after losing them in the players' auction. 

But with replacements like New Zealand swashbuckler Brendan McCullum, CSK look formidable nonetheless. 

On the bowling front, West Indian leg-spinner Samuel Badree could prove to be an important player given that his confidence is sky-high after finishing as the third highest wicket-taker in the recent World T20.


Kings XI Punjab have managed to instill balance and sheen to the side by making some smart purchases in the players' auction. 

Led by Australian George Bailey, Punjab pulled off quite a masterstroke by snapping up India Test discard Virender Sehwag. Even though he is no longer in his prime but on his day, the Delhi-dasher is an enthralling game-changer capable of mortifying opposition attacks.

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