M S Dhoni is the captain of Chennai Super Kings for 2010 IPL season. Click on image to enlarge

Date – May 23, 2009
Result – Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 6 wickets

Chennai Super Kings Innings
Chennai Super Kings were asked to bat first by Royal Challengers after winning the toss. Chennai Super Kings got to a flying start with Hayden and Patel both being too severe on bowlers. But loosing both of them in quick succession, halted the Chennai Super Kings charge and they were able to score 146/5 in 20 overs. The target seem to be a moderate one and it looks that Chennai Super Kings bowler’s need to put up extra effort to save this match and cement the place in IPL Final.

FOW:M Hayden (61-1, 7), P Patel (69-2, 8.4), S Raina (104-3, 14.1), *MS Dhoni (125-4, 17.2), J Oram (140-5, 19.2)

Chennai Super Kings Innings Highlights
* Chennai Super Kings: 50 runs in 5.2 overs (32 balls), Extras 1
* 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 32 balls (PA Patel 32, ML Hayden 17, Ex 1)
* Drinks: Chennai Super Kings – 74/2 in 10.0 overs (MS Dhoni 8, SK Raina 3)
* Chennai Super Kings: 100 runs in 13.2 overs (81 balls), Extras 3
* Innings Break: Chennai Super Kings – 146/5 in 20.0 overs (JA Morkel 20, S Badrinath 1)

Royal Challengers Bangalore Innings
Hoping to secure a berth in the finals against Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore went to the center to chase 147. They lost Kallis and Merwe for cheap and it looked Super Kings would bounce back well. But Pandey and Dravid were certain to be in finals and they played really well to took Royal Challengers Bangalore close to victory. Though they both got out but Kohli and Taylor made sure that Chennai Super Kings are out of the finals race.

FOW:J Kallis (17-1, 1.4), Der Merwe (22-2, 2.5), M Pandey (94-3, 12.3), R Dravid (110-4, 15.1)

Royal Challengers Bangalore Innings Highlights
* Bangalore Royal Challengers: 50 runs in 5.1 overs (32 balls), Extras 1
* 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 34 balls (M Pandey 30, R Dravid 21, Ex 1)
* Drinks: Bangalore Royal Challengers – 82/2 in 10.0 overs (M Pandey 43, R Dravid 26)
* Parthiv Patel kept for MS Dhoni from the first ball of the Royal Challengers innings
* Bangalore Royal Challengers: 100 runs in 13.5 overs (84 balls), Extras 3

Man of the match – M Pandey
Scorecard for Semi Final Of IPL -2

May 23, 2009
Start time 16.30 local (14:30 GMT) 8pm Indian Standard Time

Today is the second semi final of Indian Premier League Season -2 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. Chennai Super Kings are hot favorite but Royal Challengers Bangalore have proved they can not be taken lightly after storming to the semi finals by defeating Deccan Chargers who have already entered the final. The winner of the match would take on Deccan Chargers in the finals on Sunday 24, 2009.

The probables are :-
Chennai Super Kings: 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Jacob Oram/Michael Hussey, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 S Badrinath, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Parthiv Patel, 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Manpreet Gony, 9 L Balaji, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 R Ashwin.

Bangalore Royal Challengers: 1 Rahul Dravid, 2 Jacques Kallis, 3 Ross Taylor, 4 Robin Uthappa, 5 Manish Pandey, 6 Virat Kohli, 7 Roelof van der Merwe, 8 Anil Kumble (capt) 9 Praveen Kumar, 10 B Akhil, 11 Mark Boucher (wk).

Date – May 20, 2009
Result – Chennai Super Kings won by 24 runs

Chennai Super Kings Innings
Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bat first. They got to a good start but soon Kings bowler strike back with quick wickets. From 40/0 they slipped to 96/6. Earlier it looked Chennai Super Kings would set a good total but some good bowling by Kings Punjab restricted them to 116/9. Patel was the highest scorer for Chennai Super Kings with 32 runs. No other batsmen could capitalize on the start and the second best score in innings was 20 runs by Raina.

FOW:G Bailey (40-1, 4.5), P Patel (54-2, 6.5), S Badrinath (68-3, 9.3), *MS Dhoni (70-4, 9.5), S Raina (87-5, 13.3), M Gony (96-6, 14.4), J Oram (105-7, 17.4), R Ashwin (109-8, 18), T Thushara (114-9, 19.4)

Chennai Super Kings Innings Highlights
* Chennai Super Kings: 50 runs in 5.4 overs (34 balls), Extras 0
* Drinks: Chennai Super Kings – 70/4 in 10.0 overs (SK Raina 15, JDP Oram 0)
* Chennai Super Kings: 100 runs in 15.6 overs (97 balls), Extras 3
* Innings Break: Chennai Super Kings – 116/9 in 20.0 overs (L Balaji 2, M Muralitharan 1)

Kings XI Punjab Innings
Chasing a very moderate total of 117 to win and get a place in semifinal’s, Kings XI Punjab got to a dream breaking start as they lost 1st wicket in the 2nd over of the innings. Pomersbach and Katich raised some hopes but those were also shattered soon as wickets started felling like a heap of cards. From 32/2 Kings XI Punjab were reduced to 67/7 with 48 runs more needed of just 3 overs. It looked an impossible task and Kings XI Punjab succumbed to the increasing run rate pressure and thus loosing the match by 24 runs. Also with this loss, Kings XI Punjab are now out of IPL-2

FOW:S Sohal (6-1, 1.5), S Katich (32-2, 6.5), L Pomersbach (45-3, 11.1), *Yuvraj Singh (49-4, 12.4), K Sangakarra (59-5, 15.1), W Mota (60-6, 15.3), B Lee (67-7, 16.5), I Pathan (83-8, 18.5)

Kings XI Punjab Innings Highlights
* Drinks: Kings XI Punjab – 42/2 in 10.0 overs (LA Pomersbach 25, Yuvraj Singh 3)
* Kings XI Punjab: 50 runs in 13.1 overs (81 balls), Extras 4

Date – May 18, 2009
Result – Kolkata Knight Riders won by 7 wickets

Chennai Super Kings Innings
Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bat first. They got to an excellent start and Knight Riders bowlers were smashed to all corners. The excellent start was thrown away as Chennai Super Kings lost both openers due to run outs. But this did not deter them from playing aggressive strokes. Raina and Dhoni then took the charge and played exceedingly well to help team get past the 150 run mark. Every batsmen of Chennai Super Kings contributed and thus in the end they were able to post a huge total of 188/3 in 20 overs.

FOW:P Patel (59-1, 6.1), G Bailey (78-2, 9.1), S Raina (152-3, 17)

Chennai Super Kings Innings Highlights
* Chennai Super Kings: 50 runs in 5.5 overs (38 balls), Extras 8
* 1st Wicket: 50 runs in 38 balls (PA Patel 23, GJ Bailey 21, Ex
* Drinks: Chennai Super Kings – 83/2 in 10.0 overs (SK Raina 14, MS Dhoni 1)
* Chennai Super Kings: 100 runs in 12.2 overs (78 balls), Extras 14
* 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 38 balls (SK Raina 27, MS Dhoni 21, Ex 3)
* Chennai Super Kings: 150 runs in 16.5 overs (107 balls), Extras 16
* SK Raina: 50 off 36 balls (3 x 4, 3 x 6)
* Innings Break: Chennai Super Kings – 188/3 in 20.0 overs (MS Dhoni 40, JA Morkel 21)

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings
Kolkata Knight Riders playing just to save some prestige got a herculean task to chase 189 in 20 overs lost Ganguly for just 4 runs. But on the other hand McCullum was in a punishing mood and he along with Hodge got the score past 100 in 12th over. McCullum scored 81 off just 48 balls and put Kolkata Knight Riders in the drivers seat. Kolkata Knight Riders required 25 runs off the last 2 overs with 7 wickets in hand. Hodge played really well and hit 2 sixes. In the last over Kolkata Knight Riders needed just 6 runs and it proved to be a cakewalk
At last they were able to win a match in this IPL – 2 by 7 wickets

FOW:S Ganguly (34-1, 4.4), *B McCullum (124-2, 14), D Hussey (133-3, 15.2)

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings Highlights
* Kolkata Knight Riders: 50 runs in 5.5 overs (36 balls), Extras 1
* BB McCullum: 50 off 21 balls (9 x 4, 2 x 6)
* Drinks: Kolkata Knight Riders – 83/1 in 10.0 overs (BB McCullum 65, BJ Hodge 9)
* 2nd Wicket: 50 runs in 35 balls (BB McCullum 37, BJ Hodge 9, Ex 4)
* Kolkata Knight Riders: 100 runs in 11.4 overs (71 balls), Extras 5
* Kolkata Knight Riders: 150 runs in 16.6 overs (103 balls), Extras 5
* PA Patel Kept the wicket after 16 overs
* BJ Hodge: 50 off 35 balls (3 x 4, 2 x 6)
* 4th Wicket: 50 runs in 22 balls (BJ Hodge 29, WP Saha 21, Ex 0)

Date – May 16, 2009
Result – Chennai Super Kings won by 7 wickets.

Mumbai Indians Innings
Mumbai Indians won the toss and elected to bat first. Bravo was the batsmen from Mumbai Indians who could not score in double digits . All other batsmen contributed to the team score and with the collective effort, Mumbai Indians could manage 147/5 in 20 overs. Duminy continued his excellent form in IPL-2 and scored yet another half century. He was the backbone of Mumbai Indians today and scored 62 runs. Now its upto Mumbai Indians bowlers to defend this moderate total.

FOW:D Bravo (7-1, 2.1), S Jayasuriya (49-2, 6), *S Tendulkar (74-3, 10.5), J Duminy (139-4, 19.3), Harbhajan Singh (147-5, 20)

Mumbai Indians Innings Highlights
* Mumbai Indians: 50 runs in 6.3 overs (41 balls), Extras 2
* Drinks: Mumbai Indians – 70/2 in 10.0 overs (JP Duminy 24, SR Tendulkar 8 )
* Mumbai Indians: 100 runs in 15.5 overs (97 balls), Extras 3
* JP Duminy: 50 off 46 balls (4 x 4, 2 x 6)
* 4th Wicket: 50 runs in 40 balls (JP Duminy 28, AM Nayar 24, Ex 0)
* Innings Break: Mumbai Indians – 147/5 in 20.0 overs (AM Nayar 33)

Chennai Super Kings Innings
Chasing the target of 148, Chennai Super Kings lost the first wicket in the very first over and this early wicket gave Mumbai Indians some confidence. But Hayden was in no mood to give away the victory to Mumbai Indians. He played really well though it was not his natural aggressive stroke play but still he damaged the hope of Mumbai Indians. Raina and Badrinath also contributed but it was Hayden’s heroics which gave Chennai Super Kings a easy victory. Dhoni also supported really well and both Dhoni and Hayden made sure no more wickets were lost and thus Chennai Super Kings won the match by 7 wickets.

FOW:P Patel (0-1, 0.1), S Raina (24-2, 3.5), S Badrinath (64-3, 10.5)

Chennai Super Kings Innings Highlights
* Chennai Super Kings: 50 runs in 8.5 overs (54 balls), Extras 5
* Drinks: Chennai Super Kings – 56/2 in 10.0 overs (ML Hayden 15, S Badrinath 15)
* Chennai Super Kings: 100 runs in 14.3 overs (90 balls), Extras 17
* 4th Wicket: 50 runs in 37 balls (ML Hayden 28, MS Dhoni 10, Ex 12)
* ML Hayden: 50 off 51 balls (3 x 4, 1 x 6)

Date – May 14, 2009
Result – Bangalore Royal Challengers Won By 2 Wickets

Chennai Super Kings Innings
Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bat first. They got to a good start but eventually kept loosing wickets at regular interval. Only Mathew Hayden was the batsmen who was firm on one end and scored useful 60 runs. Chennai Super Kings other batsmen disappointed and no other batsmen was able to score more than 20 runs. Eventually Chennai Super Kings were all out for 129 in the 20th over.

FOW:M Vijay (32-1, 3.3), S Raina (48-2, 5.4), *MS Dhoni (93-3, 12.1), M Hayden (101-4, 13.2), S Badrinath (107-5, 16.1), A Morkel (118-6, 17.4), J Oram (118-7, 18.2), L Balaji (118-8, 18.3), M Muralitharan (128-9, 19.3), S Tyagi (129-10, 19.4)

Chennai Super Kings Innings Highlights
* Chennai Super Kings: 50 runs in 5.6 overs (37 balls), Extras 1
* Drinks: Chennai Super Kings – 72/2 in 10.0 overs (ML Hayden 38, MS Dhoni 12)
* ML Hayden: 50 off 34 balls (5 x 4, 2 x 6)
* Chennai Super Kings: 100 runs in 12.3 overs (76 balls), Extras 4
* Innings Break: Chennai Super Kings – 129/10 in 19.4 overs (SB Jakati 7)

Bangalore Royal Challengers Innings
Chasing a small total of 130 to win, Bangalore Royal Challengers got to a disastrous start and lost quick wickets. Dhoni and his team looked in total control of the match and it looked like they will be successful in defending this small total. But Taylor and Kohli shattered the dreams of Dhoni’s team and brought Bangalore Royal Challengers back in the game. The match was a real thriller and Bangalore Royal Challengers clinched the victory in the last over.

FOW:J Kallis (2-1, 0.2), R Dravid (12-2, 1.4), R Uthappa (30-3, 4.4), V Kohli (86-4, 14.2), M Boucher (91-5, 15.1), Der Merwe (104-6, 16.5), B Akhil (107-7, 17.3), R Taylor (125-8, 19.1)

Bangalore Royal Challengers Innings Highlights
* Royal Challengers Bangalore: 50 runs in 8.4 overs (54 balls), Extras 3
* Drinks: Royal Challengers Bangalore – 57/3 in 10.0 overs (LRPL Taylor 26, V Kohli 14)
* 4th Wicket: 50 runs in 54 balls (LRPL Taylor 16, V Kohli 37, Ex 0)
* Royal Challengers Bangalore: 100 runs in 16.3 overs (102 balls), Extras 4

Man of the match – Taylor

Date – May 9, 2009
Result – Chennai Super Kings Won By 7

Rajasthan Royals Innings
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bat first. But they lost Ojha on a duck but then Smith and Asnodkar played some good shots and took the score pass 50 run mark. It looked a good start for Rajasthan Royals but once they lost Smith and Asnodkar, the middle order fell like cards. None of the batsmen could score some fast runs so that a good total can be set for Chennai Super Kings and in the end it was 140/7 in 20 overs.

FOW:N Ojha (1-1, 0.3), S Asnodkar (54-2, 8.5), G Smith (75-3, 12.2), R Jadeja (92-4, 14.1), Y Pathan (100-5, 15.5), L Carseldine (104-6, 16.4), A Raut (111-7, 17.2)

Highlights – Rajasthan Royals
* Rajasthan Royals: 50 runs in 8.2 overs (51 balls), Extras 3
* 2nd Wicket: 50 runs in 48 balls (GC Smith 23, SA Asnodkar 25, Ex 3)
* Drinks: Rajasthan Royals – 61/2 in 10.0 overs (GC Smith 28, RA Jadeja 4)
* Rajasthan Royals: 100 runs in 15.1 overs (92 balls), Extras 4
* Innings Break: Rajasthan Royals – 140/7 in 20.0 overs (SK Warne 21, SM Harwood 6)

Chennai Super Kings Innings
Chasing a target of 141, Chennai Super Kings lost two wickets for just 37 runs in 6 overs. But Hayden and Badrinath played sensibly and scored runs with ease. They both hammered the bowlers to all corners and it looked that Chennai Super Kings would win the match easily. This exactly happened and due to 48 runs by Hayden and 59 by Badrinath, Chennai Super Kings registered a 7 wicket win.

FOW:M Vijay (19-1, 3), S Raina (37-2, 6), M Hayden (126-3, 16.5)
Highlights – Chennai Super Kings
* Chennai Super Kings: 50 runs in 8.0 overs (52 balls), Extras 6
* Drinks: Chennai Super Kings – 67/2 in 10.0 overs (ML Hayden 30, S Badrinath 7)
* 3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 50 balls (ML Hayden 25, S Badrinath 19, Ex 6)
* Chennai Super Kings: 100 runs in 15.1 overs (96 balls), Extras 9
* S Badrinath: 50 off 38 balls (8 x 4, 1 x 6)

Man of the match: S Badrinath