Thaindian News

Kochi, April 19 (IANS) New entrants Kochi Tuskers Kerala defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis method for their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) win at home here Monday night.

In a rain-affected match, that saw it being curtailed to a 17-over per side affair, Super Kings made 131 for four and then Brendan McCullum struck a blistering 47 as Kochi Tuskers raced away to make 135 for three with two overs to spare at the Nehru Stadium.

McCullum and skipper Mahela Jayawardene set the tone of the chase with their 39-run opening stand. Both the batsmen were dismissed by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

McCullum and Parthiv Patel (34) then took away the match from Super King’s grasp with their 51-run stand for the second wicket.

Man of the Match McCullum smashed four fours and three sixes in his 33-ball stay while Patel hit four fours and a six in his 26-ball knock.

A late flourish from Brad Hodge (19 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (16 not out) took the Kochi Tuskers to home safely. Jadeja hit two sixes in his six-ball stay.

Earlier in the day, put in to bat Super Kings managed to get to 131 for four in 17 overs, thanks to a 40-ball 50 from Suresh Raina and a quick-fire 28 by opener Murali Vijay.

Pacer Rudra Paratap Singh struck early in the third over to get rid of Mike Hussey (8), caught behind by Parthiv Patel.

Raina and Vijay then added some quick 40-runs for the second wicket to get the defending champions back on track.