Kings XI Punjab's Valthaty decimates CSK with dominating century

A superb century by Paul Valthaty propelled Kings XI Punjab to a thrillng six-wicket victory as they chased down a stiff 189-run target set by Chennai Super Kings at the Punjab Cricket Association ground here today to register their maiden win this season of the IPL.

Valthaty, who scored 120 runs off just 63 balls, single-handedly took away the match from the Dhoni-led side with a belligerent display of batting in which he had 19 hits to the fence and two over the ropes.

While wickets kept falling at the other end, the 27-year-old Mumbaikar not only anchored himself at one end but also kept himself busy spoiling the bowling figures of the rivals.

In a rather surprising move, Kings XI skipper Adam Gilchrist promoted Valthaty to the opening slot replacing Shaun Marsh, which the Mumbaikar cashed with both hands.

Kings XI, choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, had a brilliant start with Praveen Kumar dismissing Srikkanth Anirudha and Suresh Raina on the first two deliveries of the match.

But the lack of depth in bowling allowed CSK batsmen Murali Vijay (74) and S Badrinath (66) to build up a 122-run partnership. Even

Praveen proved too costly in his remaining three overs conceding 37 runs without any success.

After leg-spinner Piyush Chawla deceived Vijay with a flighted delivery, his only success at the expense of 33 runs in three overs,

CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (43) took the turn to thrash the Punjab bowlers while Badrinath, at the other end, completed his half century.

Scoreboard:

Chennai Super Kings: (maximum 20 overs)

Srikkanth Anirudha lbw b Kumar 0

Murali Vijay st Gilchrist b Chawla 74

Suresh Raina c Valthaty b Kumar 0

S Badrinath not out 66

MS Dhoni b Harris 43

Extras (lb 3, w 1, nb 1) 5

Total (in 20 overs) 188 for four

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0, 3-124, 4-188

Bowling: Praveen Kumar 4-1-37-2, Ryan Harris 4-0-25-1, Ryan McLaren 4-0-31-0, Piyush Chawla 3-0-33-1, Abhishek Nayar 2-0-24-0, Bhargav Bhatt 3-0-35-0.

Kings XI Punjab innings (target 189 runs from 20 overs)

Paul Valthaty not out 120

Adam Gilchrist c Randiv b Morkel 19

Shaun Marsh run out (Randiv/Anirudha) 12

Sunny Singh c Jakati b Randiv 20

Abhishek Nayar lbw b Southee 0

Dinesh Karthik not out 21

Extras (w 1) 1

Total (in 19.1 overs) 193 for four

Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-100, 3-136, 4-136

Bowling: Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-37-0, Tim Southee 4-0-33-1, Albie Morkel 3-0-38-1, Suraj Randiv 4-0-32-1, Scot Styris 1-0-13-0, Shahdab Jakati 2.1-0-28-0, Suresh Raina 1-0-12-0.

NNN