Brendon McCullum has played another key hand for the Chennai Super Kings, making 46 from just 20 balls (at a lazy 230.00 strike rate) to help his team chase down the Mumbai Indian's 183-7, and the win by six wickets.
McCullum was aggressive, as usual, taking on the attack from the start with a huge six from Lasith Malinga in the second over and another trademark scoop for six before holing out to Harbhajan Singh in the eighth over. He combined with Dwayne Smith for a 109 run partnership and was full of praise for his opening partner, telling iplt20.com: “We complement each other. Some people say we compete against each other, but we complement each other really well. We (have) got a good relationship on the field and also off it, get on really well and both our games support one another really well. So I enjoy batting with Smithy and it’s nice to be able to make some contributions to the team.”
The match wasn't as fruitful for Corey Anderson, who could only manage four before falling to a spectacular Faf du Plessis catch at mid off. His Mumbai Indians side are in danger of losing touch at the foot of the table, with four games without a victory. At the other end, the Super Kings, who are coached by Stephen Fleming, are second on the log behind Tim Southee's Rajasthan Royals, having played a game fewer.
Watch Super Kings v Indians highlights
Southee faced off against his regular bowling partner Trent Boult on Friday morning NZ time when the Royals met the Hyderabad Sunrisers. Southee conceded 30 from his four overs as the Sunrisers made a seemingly sub-par 127 in their 20 overs, having left Kane Williamson out for this match.
The Royals got home from the last ball, with Boult picking up Ajinkya Rahane, who'd made 62.
Watch Royals v Sunrisers highlights
Brendon McCullum remains on top of the strike rate table with 192.3 for the tournament, and will be back in action against the Royals early Sunday morning NZ time, while Boult and Williamson's Sunrisers will be in action tonight against the Dehli Daredevils. All IPL 2015 matches are live on Sky Sport NZ.
