Chennai batting ace top scores with 63 as defending champs down Pune to take second spot inu00a0IPL table

Until now Subramaniam Badrinath has been under the shadows of Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Matthew Hayden. The Chennai Super Kings' batsman finally came to fore against Pune Warriors yesterday at the DY Patil Stadium.


S Bardinath en route to his 44-ball 63 against Pune Warriors at the
DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai yesterday. pic/Suresh KK

Again, his performance may not have bagged him the Man of the Match, but there was enough praise for the right-hander's knock.

Doug Bollinger starred with the ball, taking three wickets for 21 that helped CSK restrict Pune to 141 for 6 ufffd just one run lesser than what CSK scored on Monday in the first leg in Chennai.

Badrinath led the chase with an unbeaten 63 which helped the defending champions win their first away game in the IPL-IV. CSK won by eight wickets.

For Pune, who suffered their fourth straight defeat, captain Yuvraj Singh was the highest scorer with 62 not out.u00a0

Badrinath is now the highest run-scorer for CSK with 235 runs in seven matches and also has the most number of 50s under his belt ufffd three.

While Dhoni hailed Badrinath as the "unsung hero for CSK" in the post-match presentation, Man of the Match Bollinger was equally forthcoming in his praise. "He is batting fantastically and really bagged his spot. Badri has been a vital part of our team," said Bollinger in the post-match conference.

Said Dhoni: "Badri is the unsung hero for CSK. He has always contributed from every position in the batting order."

Badrinath started off cautiously, but paced the chase well when Yuvraj let the match drift away between sixth and 15th overs. Suresh Raina also joined the party, making 33 not out and the two added 65 runs for the unbroken third-wicket partnership.