Suresh Raina - 44 from 34 balls & 3-0-22-0
The leading run scorer in IPL cricket has had a tough time of it this year, before today's innings he was averaging just 19 with a top score of 36, and whilst Raina was nowhere near his best it was at least an encouraging step in the right direction. The footwork was almost non-existent to begin with, against a fired up Brett Lee, and with every run scored he looked more assured. He played some nice punches through the covers as well as an incredible swat over long-off for a maximum from a back of a length delivery from Lee. Unfortunately he got out unnecessarily at a crucial point in the game that set CSK back, but his success is success is crucial to that of Chennai's as so often that 2nd wicket partnership has put them in commanding positions in the past. His few overs of off-spin were nothing to write home about but shows another dimension to his game, if Chennai are to get back to where they want to be in the league, they'll need Raina at his best.
Jacques Kallis - 4-0-21-2 & 26 from 31 balls
It was another great all-round display from the best in the modern game. It was a slow pitch that proved difficult to score on all day but Kallis still managed to find some life from it with some pacy bouncers as well as giving away few scoring opportunities. His two wickets were big in the context of the match, as both Raina and Bravo were two players that really could have hurt Kolkata. He then chipped in with some important runs, in a partnership of 70 with his captain, that put KKR well on top in the chase, showing his class with a couple of well struck slog sweeps off the spinners. He'll have been disappointed to get out when he did, allowing CSK back into it but all in all an impressive display.
Sunil Narine - 4-0-24-1
Despite being around half way through the IPL season, Sunil Narine seems as impossible to read as ever. No one seems willing to take a risk against him, unable to leave their crease due to the ball spinning both ways, and instead play with extreme caution. His economy so far is just 5.53 and the fact that he tends to bowl in the powerplay at the start and then the death overs makes these Malinga-esque figures even more remarkable. He is just so difficult to hit, as Jadeja found out when he skied one to a boundary rider towards the end of the innings, and continues to bamboozle the opposition with every passing game.
Gautam Gambhir - 63 from 52 balls
How Gambhir didn't pick up another MoM award is beyond me, on a pitch where others had struggled before him he was just brilliant. The form batsman at the moment, along with Sehwag, Gautam looks a vital wicket for the opposition to take as he combies a S/R of 143.7 with a rock solid technique, bringing him 365 runs and not far from the orange cap. Morkel managed to pin him with a cracking bouncer that smashed into his helmet but that only seemed to focus him more. His timing is perfect at the moment, the sign of a man at the top of his game, and he cashed in when offered any width to take plenty of runs to the backward point boundary. The captain took his side within touching distance before falling at the start of the 19th over, which meant Das was able to hit a couple of boundaries to seal the game and somehow take the MoM award. I'm not saying Das' knock wasn't important, but how the four balls he faced was a better showing than that of Gambhir I do not know!
Ravichandran Ashwin - 3.4-0-22-2
Probably the most reliable 20/20 spinner going, he has been so consistent for Dhoni over the past few seasons for CSK, and can take wickets at any point in the innings. He turns the ball both ways, making him a real handful in the powerplays as batsmen are wary of using their feet, and is immensely consistent, shown by a 20/20 economy of under 6.5. Ashwin was too good for McCullum early on and the bravery shown in the final over was awesome to watch. The ball was flighted up miles to Pathan who almost swung himself of his feet to play and miss before skying the next ball for a simple catch. He was so close to winning his side the match and shows just why he's become Dhoni's go to man at Chennai.
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