CSK vs Dolphins was as big a run-fest as you could have imagined as both teams turned on the style in their Champions League T20 2014 encounter in a belter of a Chinnaswamy track in Bangalore.
The Chennai Super Kings, led by the inimitable Suresh Raina and the belligerent Brendon McCullum, posted a mammoth 242 runs in their 20 overs, which the Dolphins made a real fist of chasing down, eventually falling short by 54 runs.
However, this was the perfect game for the neutral to watch as sixes were hit with ridiculous regularity and fours were found left, right and centre, with that 242 total in the end proving to be just too big a mountain to climb for the valiant Dolphins.
"The four overs in the middle of the second innings was the game-breaker," Dolphins skipper Morne Van Wyk told Star Sports, after his side got off to a rollicking start, getting to the first fifty in the third over. "Dwayne Bravo bowled well, with a lot of slower balls, especially landing it in the right places. It was exceptional skill.
"I think 210 or even 215 would have made a massive difference from 240, and at the end of the day it just came down to those extra little runs."
Bravo was understandably a happy camper, after giving away just 17 runs in his four overs, while also picking up two wickets, during a game when every other bowler went for plenty.
"It was very difficult to bowl on this wicket, a very good wicket to bat on," said Bravo. "But, my execution was very good today. Just kept an eye on the batter and tried to release the ball as late as possible.
"We still have a lot of work to do as far as out bowling is concerned, but very happy with the win."
CSK skipper MS Dhoni was a relieved man after picking up a much-needed win following the opening loss to KKR in the CLT20 2014.
"I thought we batter really well," said the captain at the presentation ceremony. "The wicket remained the same, maybe even got slightly better under the lights.
"Suresh Raina and Brendon McCullum gave us a great start, and I thought it was time for us to be more aggressive with the bat at the top of the innings."
Dhoni, though, was still concerned about his bowling. "It's important we improve," he said. "I tried every bowler in the first six overs, but they all went for runs, so we need to improve in that aspect."
Man of the match Suresh Raina was unstoppable with the bat on the night, smashing a delectable 90. "McCullum started really well, and I realised the wicket was good and we had a partnership together, which helped us," said Raina.
