Three best matches between Chennai and Kolkata in the history of Indian T20 League
KKR-CSK (image source: BCCI)
Chennai and Kolkata probably have the biggest number of supporters in the Indian T20 League. Fans wait for the clash between the two teams during each season. The teams have never disappointed the fans and have treated them with the most exciting and intense contests over the years.
The passion and love for the game among the fans of the two camps have made this contest the ‘El Classico’ of the Indian T20 League. In the history of the tournament, the two teams have faced each other in 26 matches. Chennai has won 17 of these games, while Kolkata has won 8. This year, the two teams will clash in the opening game of the Indian T20 League. Before the much-anticipated match, we take a look at three of the best games between the two teams in the tournament’s history.
3. Indian T20 League 2012 Final
The two teams clash in the final of the 2012 Indian T20 League. The match was taking place at the home ground of the defending champions in Chennai. Chennai batted first in the match. The batting order of Chennai looked on-song from the very beginning. Michael Hussey (54 off 43) and Murali Vijay (42 off 32) gave the team a great start. The innings was carried forward and given a great finish by Suresh Raina (73 off 38). Chennai finished their innings with a score of 190 runs.
Kolkata came out to chase the big target and lost their skipper Gautam Gambhir in the very first over. After Gambhir’s departure, Manvinder Bisla (89 off 48) and Jacques Kallis (69 off 49) steadied the ship for Kolkata. While they looked to be chasing the target very comfortably, in a span of 36 runs, they lost 4 wickets. 20 runs were required of the last 2 overs. Ben Hilfenhaus bowled the 19th over, conceding 11 runs off it but picking up Kallis in the process. With nine runs needed off the last over, Dwayne Bravo was given the ball by MS Dhoni. The first two balls went for two singles and the target came down to 7 runs off 4 deliveries. Manoj Tiwary slammed two fours off the next two deliveries and Kolkata won the exciting final and their first-ever Indian T20 League title.
