Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batsmen, especially Robin Uthappa and Shivam Dube exposed Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) bowling limitations in their IPL encounter at the Brabourne Stadium on Thursday night.
CSK posted a mammoth 210-7 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to Uthappa’s electrifying 27-ball 50 and Dube’s vital 49 in 30 balls (5×4, 2×6).
At the time of going to press, LSG were 55-0 in six overs with skipper KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock batting on Rutherford batting on 19and 31 respectively.
Skipper KL Rahul’s decision to put CSK in seemed to have gone against the Lucknow team as the four-time champions smashed 72 in the first six overs and then reached 106-2 after 10 overs.
Though there were a few current India stars at the Cricket Club of India (CCI), it was all about Uthappa, who hit eight fours and a six during his short stay at the crease.
Cricket fans in the country are known to chant Mahi, Mahi or Virat, Virat, but, on Thursday, it was Robin, Robin from the CCI stands. The CSK opener tackled Avesh Khan’s (2-38) pace very well. The right-hander flicked the very first ball of the innings for four and then cut the next one that reached the fence.
Even Khan’s bouncer in the fourth ball of the over, which hit Uthappa’s helmet, did not hamper his confidence as he smashed Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera (0-49) for a six and a four in the next over.
Uthappa also played a vital role in shaping a quick-fire 56-run second-wicket partnership with Moeen Ali (22-ball 35).
After Moeen’s departure, it was the turn of Mumbai boy Dube, whose straight six off Deepak Hooda, the off-spinner, landed on the second floor of the club.
Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (0-35) got similar punishment from Ambati Rayudu (27 off 20 balls); his six going over the commentary box.
Surprisingly, Dube, 28, who represented the country in 13 T20Is and one ODI had to sit out in all three Mumbai Ranji Trophy league matches in Ahmedabad last month.
