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Deccan Chargers had won the last five encounters consecutively and the law of averages finally caught up with them. A fine bowling display by Doug Bollinger enabled Chennai to enter the final of the IPL-3.

MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat on Thursday in the Second Semi final between Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers played at the Dr. D.Y.Patil Stadium Mumbai. Dhoni had judged that the pitch would help the pacers now, and would take spin later. But his gamble did not initially work out as his batsmen failed to deliver the goods one after another and went back to the pavilion in quick succession. 

Mathew Hayden and Murli Vijai opened the innings for Chennai and three regulation catches were dropped in the first five overs. Despite this lapse on the apart of Deccan, Chennai were a pathetic 50 for 3 after 8 and and at the half way mark were at 62 for the loss of 3 wickets. (more…)

The last five overs of the Mumbai Indians’ innings changed everything. They plundered 77 runs of these overs and beat the Royal Challangers Bangalore by 35 runs. Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bat on Wednesday at the D Y Patel Stadiium, Mumbai.

Sachin Tendulkar and Shikher Dhawan opened the innings and the Mumbai Indians lost Sachin who scored only 9 runs. Dhawan was joined at the crease with Abhishek Nayar and then Shikhar Dhawan was run out for 12 runs by Virat Kohli. 

Nayar and Rayudu took the score to 69 when Nayar was sent back to the pavillion by Pietersen for 22. Later Duminy was also packed by Kumble and the score read a pathetic 77 for 4. After the strategic time out, Bangalore struck twice in two overs.  (more…)