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Super Kings well entrenched

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Jacob Oram said Brendon McCullum’s dismissal led to a momentum shift in the IPL duel at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

“He is an explosive player and it was crucial to get his wicket early. It was also very satisfying for me. As his teammate in the New Zealand side, I know how good he is,” said Oram.

The Kiwi all-rounder said he essentially wanted to keep it tight. “In the last two games, I bowled too short or too wide. This time I bowled a better line and length. Yet, I am not completely happy with my bowling. But I am getting there,” he said.

On Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy, he said, “He is very relaxed under pressure. He has led the side well.”

He said Chennai Super Kings, which has six points from three matches, would not be affected by Matthew Hayden’s, Michael Hussey’s and his departure after the next game.

“The team will be getting Albie Morkel and Makhaya Ntini and there are some good, young domestic players in the squad,” he said.

On the shot selection in this format, in particular, the scoop over fine-leg, he said, “The scoop is a high-risk shot, so it gives the bowlers a chance. Only a very good player can pull off the shot on a consistent basis.”

Laxmi Ratan Shukla said Knight Riders had an off-day after two wins but the team would bounce back. “There are a lot of matches left in the tournament,” he said.

He said the Chepauk pitch was a good surface to bat on but conceded the batsmen had not applied themselves. He felt the back-to-back dismissals of McCullum and Ricky Ponting hurt the side.

Shukla also said Knight Riders bowled well initially but could not achieve the breakthrough.

“We needed early wickets and when that did not happen, it became difficult,” he said.

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