Taking full advantage of banned spinner Sunil Narine’s absence, star Indian batsman Suresh Raina dominated Saturday Kolkata Knight Riders attack for his third T20 century to lead his team Chennai Super Kings to their second Champions League T20 title.
Raina’s aggressive batting made a decent target of 181 look easy and achieved the 8-wicket victory with an over and a half to spare. He smashed several boundaries and sixes during his 109 not out innings and was named man of the match.
Earlier, due to a 91-run opening partnership between Uthappa and Gambhir KKR managed to get 180 runs at the loss of six wickets. Gambhir remained star batsman from KKR with 80 on 52 balls.
Left-arm spinner Pawan Negi’s took 5 wickets for 22 for CSK.
Despite an early wicket of Dwayne Smith in the first over of the chase, it was all Raina after that. He, however, later survived a stumping chance off Kuldeep on 78 and a difficult caught and bowled chance of the bowling of Yusuf Pathan on 88.
KKR’s spin attack proved toothless in the absence of Narine. Kuldeep, Chawla, Suryakumar Yadav and Yusuf went for a collective 137 for just one wicket in 13.3 overs.
