Chargers shock the world, and themselves, with fourth victory from as many games
Chargers shock the world, and themselves, with fourth victory from as many games
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The Deccan Chargers' dream run in the 2009 edition of the Indian Premier League continued at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead when they trounced the disjointed Chennai Super Kings by six wickets before 17,500 spectators yesterday.
No sooner had the victory been sealed, Adam Gilchrist, skipper of the team, sounded a warning to his outfit: "It's still early days. There are still a number of games left in this year's competition before we can start shouting the odds. What's outstanding about our play so far is that we are being tested at every outing and we are showing character something we did not do last season."
The Chargers once again relied on their bowlers to tie the opposition down - the Super Kings scored 165-6 off their 20 overs with Pragyan Ojha, who won the Man of the match award against the Mumbai Indians three days ago, coming to the party once again with 2-11 off two overs and the rest of the attack chipping in with a wicket each. The Chargers rattled off he runs 169-5 off 19.3 overs to see them home to their fourth win in a row.
Gilchrist said later: "This was yet another magnificent team effort for the lads. We have started playing the type of cricket we've always wanted to do.
"It's been a magic week and half in the competition and to have won four out of four games is just outstanding.
And to think we only gained four points last year as opposed to eight from four games this time around, I'd like to salute all the players and the backroom staff for getting us through this initial stage of the competition."
Gilchrist and Man of the Match, Herschelle Gibbs, who scored a scintillating unbeaten 69 off 56 deliveries with six fours and two sixes, pulverised the Super Kings attack to set-up their victory.
The openers slashed 67 off 36 balls. Gilchrist, who has retired from international cricket and has only returned to play in the IPL, blasted 44 off 19 balls with three sixes and five boundaries.
Others who chipped in for the Chargers were Rohit Sharma (18), Dwayne Smith (12) and Azhar Bilakhia (12 not out).
Suresh Raina was the pick of the Super Kings bowlers with 2-18 off four overs he got the wickets of Gilchrist and VVS Laxman (4).
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