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Despite the dark clouds that threatened to mar the contest, the day had begun on an auspicious note for both teams, as they met the Dalai Lama ahead of the start of the match.
With 52 runs required from the last four overs to stay in the competition though despite the presence of skipper MS Dhoni at the crease it did look like only a divine intervention could save Chennai Super Kings from crashing out. But as skies began to clear at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, it was Dhoni, known to be a nerveless finisher, who emerged as the saviour for the Super Kings on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Indian captain blasted two huge sixes off Irfan Pathan in the final over, remaining unbeaten on 54 off 29 balls and along the way sealing a dramatic six-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab and, more importantly, a trip to the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai for the semi-finals.
In the end, as the rest of his team mates rushed onto the field ecstatically, so pumped up was Dhoni that he couldn't help but betray his customary unruffled demeanour, letting out a number of joyous cries and even letting loose a jab on the side of his head.
Chennai's crucial chase hadn't begun on a merry note with openers Matthew Hayden and Murali Vijay falling prey to the wily off-spin of Ramesh Powar. The in-form Suresh Raina and Subramanian Badrinath then revived hopes, scoring 46 and 53 respectively. But when Badrinath was dismissed, 45 were still required off 20 balls with the skipper on 22.
With just one half-century in IPL III, Dhoni has hardly made the kind of impact expected of him, which has been one of the main reasons for Chennai's form. But there are few cricketers who have managed to rise to the occasion like the Chennai skipper does. And with the Super Kings facing a premature ouster, it seemed almost inevitable that Dhoni would do it again. He didn't disappoint.
Earlier, Shaun Marsh made a splendid unbeaten 57-ball 88. Though he has struggled to replicate the form that made him IPL I's leading run-scorer, the left-handed opener at least managed to provide the Kings XI with a chance to finish their dismal campaign on a high, smashing five sixes during his innings and ensuring a total of 192 for three.
In the end though it was to be Chennai's day of salvation with skipper Dhoni playing the redeemer's role to perfection.
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