Raina, Nehra the heroes for CSK as Gayle-less RCB lose at home third time running

The fans at Bangalore were in for a shock as Chris Gayle was dropped from the RCB side to face CSK.With the match taking place at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, which delivers a run feast every time, it was a move which no doubt was a huge relief for Dhoni & Co. Sureh Raina finally came good with a bullish 62, assisted by Dwayne Smith and Faf Du Plessis, setting up a target of 182 for the home team. Ashish Nehra then produced one of the best bowling displays in IPL history – 10/4 in four overs and was unlucky not to get the MoM award.CSK proved how good a fielding side they are with two spectacular catches by Du Plesssis and Bravo and the brilliant run out of AB De Villiers effected by Dhoni after a wayward throw to the stumps.

Slight drizzles forced a 25 min delay before the start of the match, but luckily no overs were cut short. Brendon McCullum once again fell to a leg spinner early on, as Y Chahal first frustrated him with two dot balls in the second, before the Kiwi skipper sliced the ball to point for an easy catch. Smith however went about business as usual and built a 58 run stand for the third wicket with Raina.The third wicket partnership however was the game changer as CSK amassed 54 runs in 4 overs, with Dhoni a mere spectator. It was Raina who called the shots as he got stuck into the RCB bowlers. He hit Chahal for three sixes on the trot and was out attempting another one over long off. His 62 came off 32 balls and apart from initial few balls, looked in complete control. CSK then suffered a mini collapse as Dhoni and Jadeja fell with the addition of only 11 runs. It was Faf Du Plessis’ 18 ball 33 which ultimately got CSK to 181.The spin duo of Iqbal Abdulla and Y Chahal took 5 betweens them and were crucial in restricting the opponents to a score of less than 200.

A score in excess of 180 have been scored  in the second innings 10 times at the venue, and with big hitters in the side, RCB had reason enough to be confident. They had a solid start too as Bisla and Russouw hit 31 in the first three overs. Ashish Nehra then striked a double blow sending both openers back to the pavillion.Bisla can consider him unlucky as he was out by Du Plessis’ one handed effort.Kohli and Dinesh Karthick, who yet again came in ahead of De Villiers struggled to get things going.In spite of a 17 run over off Ashwin, the partnership could only muster 28 runs in 26 balls. De Villiers struck two meaty blows but his stay was cut short by a piece of magic from MS Dhoni.AB was send back by Kohli after calling for a second run initially and when the throw from Smith was a little ahead of the stumps, it seemed the chance was missed. But Dhoni collected and flung the ball briskly to run AB out. None of the other players could manage a massive knock which was required in the circumstances and even though Kohli managed to get to his fifty, it was never good enough , as RCB fell short by 27 runs.

Leaving you with some images of the match.