Chandigarh Lions win nail bitter in 50s opener

In a thrilling contest in opening game of the ICL 50s Chandigarh Lions edged ahead to beat Chennai Superstars by one wicket here at Mayajaal in Chennai.

After being put in to bat by Chandigarh skipper Dinesh Mongia, the Chennai innings never managed to gather momentum as Amit Uniyal (2/25) picked up early wickets. Hemant Kumar (26) threatened but was run out after getting a start. Chennai never managed any substantial partnerships and were kept in check thanks to the fall of wickets at regular intervals.

Off- Spinner Rajesh Sharma (4/45) was the wrecker in chief for the Lions. Bipul Sharma also chipped in with 2 vital wickets including that of Chennai skipper R. Satish and a run out of Hemant Kumar. The only spark for the Superstars was their captains knock who seemed to have carried on his fine form from the ICL Indian 20-20 Championship with a 40-ball knock of 41 runs but failed to capitalise on the start and that summed up Chennai’s Innings.

In reply, the Lions were struggling at 38 for 5 thanks to some accurate bowling by new balls bowlers R. Jesuraj (2/26) and G. Vignesh (3/26). Calm was restored by the Chandigarh pair of Bipul Sharma (35) and Man of the Match Chetan Sharma (69*) who took the Lions score to 117 with vital 79-run partnership for the sixth-wicket.

Chennai Superstars captain R. Satish (3/12) almost stole the game from Chandigarh with 3 quick wickets. And when last man Love Ablish walked in a further 17 runs were required by the Lions. Ablish survived 7 balls without scoring as Chetan Sharma guided his team home in tense circumstances.

This victory will be big boost for the Lions as they were looking to avenge their loss to Superstars in the Finals of the Indian 20-20 Championship at Panchkula.

Source : http://www.indiancricketleague.in/