Raina, Morkel power Chennai into IPL final

Thursday, 26 May 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

(Reuters) - Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel powered holders Chennai Super Kings into the Indian Premier League final after a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday.

Chasing 176, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men looked in trouble after losing both openers inside the first nine deliveries but Raina (73 not out) laid the platform and Morkel (28 not out) hit three sixes when it mattered most to guide Chennai home with two balls to spare.

Raina hit six sixes while battling cramps and Morkel made the most of the 10 deliveries he faced to help Chennai score the 32 runs they needed off the last two overs to book a place in Saturday’s final. Bangalore can still make it to the final, provided they win Friday’s playoff against either Mumbai Indians or Kolkata Knight Riders.

Put into bat, Bangalore lost in-form opener Chris Gayle for just eight but Virat Kohli (70 not out), Mayank Agarwal (34) and Luke Pomersbach (29) helped set a useful target in front of a sparse Wankhede Stadium crowd.