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Kumble had no regrets in batting first
Chennai Super Kings' captain Suresh Raina called correctly and had no hesitation in opting to bat first in their Indian Premier League match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.
However, his opposite number, Anil Kumble, didn't seem too perturbed after losing the toss.
"There is no problem in chasing. This pitch looks lot drier than the previous two games," reasoned Kumble, adding, " We will put up a total and look to defend."
In the end his confidence stood vindicated.
Kallis was dismissed for the first time
Jacques Kallis was finally dismissed in this IPL.
And Lakshmipathy Balaji was the lucky bowler.
Kallis survived some early fortune and worked his way upto a 17-ball 19 before Balaji cleaned him up as he went across his stumps and tried to flick it on the leg side but missed the ball completely.
It was the first time in five matches that Kallis had been dismissed in the tournament.
The South African still has the Orange Cap on his head though, as the tournament's highest scorer, with 283 runs to his credit.
Muralitharan took possession of the Purple Cap
Muttiah Muralitharan then claimed two quick wickets to put Chennai Super Kings on top after the Kallis dismissal.
Rahul Dravid (14), trying to make room and play a cut, missed the line completely and was bowled.
In his next over, Muralithran had Manish Pandey (20) caught by Suresh Raina at mid-on.
The Sri Lankan veteran completed a dream spell by having Virat Kohli (24) stumped by Parthiv Patel.
Muralithran's impressive figures read 4-0-25-3 and the spell helped him take over the Purple Cap, as the tournament's top wicket-taker with nine scalps thus far.
Uthappa smashed unbeaten 68
Robin Uthappa scored a superlative 38-ball 68 and starred in a 19-ball 52-run stand with Mark Boucher (11) to ensure the Royal Challengers Bangalore made a formidable 171 for five.
It was precisely what the doctor had ordered for Bangalore.
They were struggling for runs at 119 for five in the 17th over before Uthhapa launched his onslught starting with an attack on Lakshmipathy Balaji.
The Coorgi struck three fours and six sixes during his stupendous effort.
Raina realised captaincy isn't an easy job
Suresh Raina, captaining Chennai in the absence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, witnessed his side fritter away a good start.
Having asked Bangalore to bat, Raina was happy to his the rival team struggling hard to keep pace as Morne Morkel, Sudeep Tyagi and Lakshmipathy Balaji used the pace and bounce in the wicket to a good effect.
All was hunky dory till Uthappa spoiled the party.
As Uthappa stepped up the gas, nothing that Raina tried out to counter him really worked.
Even Raina, the batsman, contributed just seven to his team's cause.
Hayden shone with the mini Mongoose
Matthew Hayden played an uncharacteristic innings, though there were flashes of brilliance in between.
But to their credit, the Bangalore bowlers had done their home work well.
However, once he switched on to the mini Mongoose, Hayden did play some impressive shots, en route to his 28-ball 32.
However, he was unfortunately run out at a crucial juncture.
And it downhill thereafter for the team from Chennai.