CL T20: CSK defeat Cape Cobras for first win

Scoreboard

Dwayne Bravo's unbeaten counter-attacking 25-ball 46 lifted defending champions Chennai Super Kings from a hopeless situation to a stunning four-wicket victory over Cape Cobras in a Champions League Twenty20 match here today.

Chasing a modest 146, Chennai were struggling at 77 for five inside the 12th over before Bravo came up with a flurry of boundaries and sixes to help the hosts record their first win in two matches and remain afloat in the tournament.

With 23 needed of last 12 balls, Bravo hammered Dale Steyn for 17 runs in the penultimate over to turn the tables on Cobras.

The West Indian along with Albie Morkel (6 not out) then knocked off the required five runs for victory with two balls to spare.

It was Bravo, who proved to be the Cobras' nemesis, as he struck three fours and two sixes to swing the match in Chennai's favour at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Bravo's heroics meant J P Duminy's all-round show went in vain as the hard-hitting West Indian along with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (15) added 43 runs for the sixth wicket to lay the foundation for the final assault.

Duminy, following his 24-ball 29 and his 57-run fourth-wicket partnership with Owais Shah (45 off 38), returned impressive figure of 4 for 20 as Chennai found themselves reeling at one stage after the fall of Suresh Raina (20).

But fortunes swung as Bravo provided the much-needed impetus by hitting Vernon Philander over extra cover for a massive six in the 18th over.

The over saw them score 10 runs, but at the expense of Dhoni's wicket.

Bravo was, however, unfazed as he saw his team home for a crucial victory.