Chennai launch IPL with close win

CHENNAI, Apr 9 (AFP): Chennai Super Kings pulled off a thrilling two-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Friday's opening Indian Premier League Twenty20 match, watched by a capacity crowd and millions on television. Chasing 154, Kolkata were cruising at 112-2 before losing five wickets for 35 runs to hand the defending champions a last-ball victory at the Chidambaram Stadium, which had hosted World Cup matches only a few days back. Needing nine runs off the final over bowled by paceman Tim Southee, Kolkata could manage just six while losing one wicket. "We took some time to think about the last ball instead of rushing through it," said Southee. "We worked out our options and went for the right one with the field in mind in the end." Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led India to World Cup victory last week, hugged his Chennai teammmates as cheergirls danced merrily in the background, marking a rollicking start for the tournament which was hit by scandals last year. Kolkata were playing with just two foreign players with Australia's Brett Lee and Brad Haddin and Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan set to join the squad only after the end of a three-match one-day series in Dhaka next week. Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 153-4 (S. Anirudha 64, S. Raina 33; J. Kallis 2-34) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 151-7 (J. Kallis 54) by two runs.