Photographs: BCCI
MS Dhoni's Chennai got the better of Kolkata Knight Riders and won by 14 runs in Chennai on Sunday.
Chennai jumped to top of the IPL standings with 14 points from nine games, while KKR continued to languish at seventh spot with six defeats from nine games.
Earlier, the Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to bowl.
The cheerful cheergirls will only set the temperature soaring!
Chennai off to a good start
Image: Mike Hussey with Wriddhiman SahaPhotographs: BCCI
Chennai had a new opening pair in Wriddhiman Saha and Mike Hussey.
Chennai continued to pile on the runs.
After six overs, Chennai were on 67 for no loss for a run rate of more than 11 runs per over. Hussey hit 40 from 25 balls, while Saha had made 26 from 11 balls.
Mr Consistent Mike Hussey
Image: Mike HusseyPhotographs: BCCI
Hussey took a single to bring up his fifty from 31 balls as Chennai raced to 86 for no loss after eight overs.
Hussey continued his consistent run in the IPL. This was his fourth half-century in eight matches in IPL 6 and he also brought up 400 runs in the tournament.
At the halfway stage, Chennai were in control at 103 for no loss.
Hussey had smashed 63 from 38 balls, while Saha had made 39 from 22 balls.
Hussey's 95 helps Chennai post 200
Image: Mike HusseyPhotographs: BCCI
Hussey fell after he was caught at deep midwicket for 95. The left-hander tried to pull a short ball over the leg side but was taken by Debabrata Das inside the ropes.
He hit 11 fours and two sixes in his 59-ball knock and put on 55 runs in 5.4 overs for the second wicket with Suresh Raina to put Chennai on course for a huge total.
Dhoni ended the innings in style
Image: MS Dhoni with Ravindra JadejaPhotographs: BCCI
And as expected, MS Dhoni ended the innings in style as he clubbed a full toss over midwicket for six to bring up Chennai's 200.
Dhoni finished unbeaten on 18 from 12 balls as Chennai post a huge total despite losing the toss.
Gambhir dismissed early
Image: Gautam GambhirPhotographs: BCCI
Kolkata were off to a good start as they got 18 runs from the first over.
But their joy was short lived as Chris Morris got his revenge and bowled out Gautam Gambhir with a full delivery.
Gambhir was dismissed for 14 from seven balls.
KKR looked comfortable
Image: Manvinder Bisla and KallisPhotographs: BCCI
At the halfway stage, KKR were 85 for two, needed 116 runs from 10 overs for victory.
Chennai outclass Kolkata
Image: Chris Morris celebratesPhotographs: BCCI
Chris Morris bowled the crucial final over. KKR needed 19 runs from it.
Morris bowled perfectly to steer Chennai to yet another victory.
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