26 May,2011 06:32 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings pulled off a sensational six-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first Qualifier of IPL-IV at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday to book a berth for Saturday's final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Going by the record books, CSK's unbeaten run on their home turf makes them firm favourites to defend the IPL title, however Man of the match Suresh Raina refused to read too much it. "We may be playing at our home, but a final is a different ball game. Everyone is going to expect us to win the final but it is very important to execute your plan. It is important to do your process well. You have to do well in each and every department of the game," he said at the post-match conference.
CSK's Suresh Raina during his 50-ball 73 against RCB at Wankhede on
Tuesday. pic/suresh kk
Raina overcame severe cramps to score an unbeaten 73 off 50 balls to guide CSK home against RCB ufffd a knock that came at a time when his side was in deep trouble with both openers back in the dugout with less than 10 runs on the board and chasing a target of 176. "When I arrived at the crease, my only aim was to finish off the game. The important thing was to stay till the end. Zaheer (Khan) was bowling well, but I had to play my shots. I stayed positive. It was important to believe in myself and play my natural shots. The situation was tough, but I wanted to finish the game for the team as in the last two games. I'm glad I could do it."
Raina had no qualms in accepting that the knock was one of his best in the IPL. "This one is my best knocks because I was able to finish off the match. When you win a crucial match like a qualifier for the team, it gives you a lot of satisfaction," he said.
