Adam Gilchrist proved that well begun is indeed half done. The Deccan Chargers’ captain made a mockery of what had seemed a competitive total from the Chennai Super Kings, in a mere half dozen overs of marvellously mad batting. And although a slight wobble followed, Hercshelle Gibbs showed his mature side (taking all of 56 deliveries to score an unbeaten 69) to guide his team to victory by six wickets with three deliveries to spare.  No, it was not as close as it seemed – the match was pretty much decided after Gilly’s devastating burst.

Earlier, Chennai Super Kings might not have been over the moon with their score of 165-6 in their allotted quota of overs, but neither would they have been down in the dumps. An asking rate of well above 8 is always competitive. The Kings lost Parthiv Patel for a blob but then got decent contributions right through with Hayden continuing his good run with 49 off 35 and Jacob Oram finally showing some signs of form, pinging 41 off 29 to ensure what seemed at that time to be a respectable total.  

Half an hour into the Deccan Chargers innings, that total had lost all shreds of respectability, as Gilchrist went berserk. Boundaries rained and by the time he was dismissed for 44 off 19, the asking rate had been brought down to a shade over seven. A few quick wickets and tight spells from Muralitharan and Raina raised the Kings’ hopes for a while, but Gibbs made sure the Chargers got home and dry. Eight were needed off the final over and when Gibbs smashed the very first delivery for six, it was all over bar the shouting!