Mumbai, Apr 23 (IANS): A fine spell of fast bowling from Doug Bollinger helped Chennai Super Kings beat defending champions Deccan Chargers by 38 runs in the semi-final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here Thursday. Super Kings will now face Mumbai Indian in Sunday’s final at the same venue.
Bollinger picked up four for 13 as Deccan Chargers were bowled out for 104 runs in 19.2 overs with Andrew Symonds (23) as the top scorer. Chennai Super Kings spinners also did a great job as they dried up the runs at one end while Man of the Match Bollinger picked up the wickets at the D.Y. Sports Academy.
Opting to bat first, Chennai Super Kings struggled to get 142 runs for seven in 20 overs. Subramaniam Badrinath made patient 41-ball 37 while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni made 30.
Chasing a modest total, Deccan Chargers faltered right from the start and lost wickets regularly to some tight bowling of the Super Kings.
Bollinger struck twice in the fifth over to remove Adam Gilchrist (18) and the in form Tirumalasetti Suman (4) in just five balls to trigger the collapse.
Barring Andrew Symonds (23), none of the Deccan Chargers batsmen showed intent to hold fort and the paid the heavy price of playing loose shots. Symonds was also tied down during his 20-ball stay and he managed just three fours.
Deccan Chargers lost the last three wickets on 103 and killed their chances to defend the title. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Muttiah Muralitharan picked up one wicket each while Shadab Jakati bagged two from 44 from his four overs.