Mumbai: Virender Sehwag Friday showed his class when it mattered most as he struck a magnificent century to lead Kings XI Punjab into the IPL final with a 24-run win over Chennai Super Kings.
It was Punjab’s third consecutive win over Super Kings this season, defending a total of more that 200 each time.
The Kings XI looked like a determined lot after having lost Qualifier 1 to Kolkata Knight Riders. They put on a comprenshive bating display lead by Sehwag with 122 off just 58 balls to take them to 226 for six in 20 overs.
It was a typical Sehwag innings without much footwork but crisp timing, featuring 12 fours and eight sixes.
Sehwag and Manan Vohra (34) put on a 110-run stand for the first wicket.
Glenn Maxwell made 13 while David Miller came up with a 19-ball 38, hitting five fours and a six.
Chasing, the Super Kings put on a superb show but fell short by 24 runs with 202 for seven in 20 overs.
Suresh Raina’s 25-ball 87 raised hopes of a Super Kings win. They made a poor start, losing openers Dwayne Smith (7) and Faf du Plesis early, but some powerful hitting by Raina saw the 100 come up in six overs.
Raina looked in his element hitting 12 fours and six sixes. He punished Parwinder Awana particularly, the pacer leaking 33 runs from the sixth over.
But all hopes of a Super Kings win were dashed as the left-hander lost his wicket while attempting a tight single. A direct hit from George Bailey found him short of crease.
Dhoni tried the rescue act with an unbeaten 31-ball 42, hitting three fours and three sixes, but it came too late.
Dhoni admitted the turning point was Raina’s dismissal.
@In the middle overs there was some very irresponsible cricket by some of the most experienced international cricketers,” he said.
