Chennai: The Super Kings’ bowlers just about made sure that Murali Vijay’s electric innings didn’t go waste, as Chennai defeated the Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs. Despite spirited efforts from Naman Ojha (94*) and Shane Watson (60), it proved too much of an ask for the Royals.
Watson, along with Ojha, gave the Royals a glimmer of hope of surmounting 246. Even the Royals’ star man, Yusuf Pathan was dismissed after a truly sublime catch from Doug Bollinger at long-on. Watson perished going for the spectacular, but Ojha pushed the Super Kings all the way till the end.
But it wasn’t to be as Bollinger and co. finished the job that Murali Vijay started early in the evening. The sun was scorching at Chepauk, and Murali Vijay’s blazing innings of 127 certainly didn’t help cool things off under Shane Warne’s collar.
Chennai Super Kings found their talisman in the form of Vijay who unleashed a range of dazzling shots that left the home crowd – and fans across the world - spellbound. Opening with Matthew Hayden, Vijay gave the Super Kings a rocking start, but soon after the dismissals of Hayden (34) and Suresh Raina (13), Vijay truly came into his own.
Along with Albie Morkel (62), the 26-year-old set the stadium alight with a truly maverick innings of 127 off just 56 balls. Sixes were simply flowing from the bat of Vijay as he massacred a hapless Royals bowling attack for 11 sixes in total. Morkel didn’t let up on the other end either as he bludgeoned five hits over the boundary himself.
Shane Warne, Yusuf Pathan, Shaun Tait or Shane Watson - no matter who came on to bowl, CSK’s fiery duo just dispatched the ball to the boundary with alarming regularity. Vijay finally got out in the last over of the Chennai innings, mistiming one to long-on.
But by then he had single-handedly managed to guide the Super Kings to the 246 – IPL’s highest ever total.
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