IPL: Overseas stars who had a dream debut for CSK

#2 Doug Bollinger

Doug Bollinger

Doug Bollinger, the former Aussie left-arm pacer made his IPL debut for the Chennai Super Kings against the Rajasthan Royals on April 3, 2010, at Chennai. He was roped into the Chennai squad during the later-half of the third season as a replacement for the injured New Zealand all-rounder, Jacob Oram. This match, a high-scoring thriller is considered as one of the best in the history of the tournament. Batting first, Chennai scored a record 246-5, thanks mainly to Murali Vijay’s astonishing innings of 127(56).

Bollinger, playing his first ever IPL match took two wickets for 15 runs in his four overs, that included the all-important wicket of the in-form Shane Watson in the 16th over and swung the match in Chennai’s favor.

In the 19th over, he took the wicket of Abhishek Jhunjhunwala to restrict the Royals well within the target. Bollinger came into the limelight mainly when he took a spectacular catch near the boundary line to dismiss the dangerous Yusuf Pathan. That catch is till date one of the tournament’s best. The Royals, who came close to the target of 247 eventually lost to the Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs. A memorable IPL and CSK debut for the Aussie bowler, claiming two important wickets at a crucial stage and taking a blinder near the boundary.