Rebuffing any chance for Mumbai, the Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday evening sealed the last semi-final berth in DLF Indian Premier League with a seven-wicket victory over Hyderabad Deccan Charges.
MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings after confining Chargers to an achievable total of 147/8, accomplished the target with four balls to spare. It was the seventh straight loss for Hyderabad who despite boasting one of strongest team on paper only managed to win two in the entire Twenty20 league.
Super Kings on the other hand with little uncertainty scripted their victory as they started the tournament with six straight wins and placed their semi-final encounter with Kings XI Punjab.
Chargers in front of the home crowd only put a 147 run total on the board and that goes only to the credit of a crucial partnership between Venugopal Rao (46 off 46) and Ravi Teja (40 off 28). They together added 76 runs for the fourth wicket.
However, some tight bowling spells from Albie Morkel (2wkt/37), Muttiah Muralidaran (1/22), Lakshmipathy Balaji (2/34), Manpreet Gony (1/21) and Makhaya Ntini (1/24) restricted the Deccans to 127 in their 20-over quota.
In Chennai’s innings, a sensible batting display by Suresh Raina (54*) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (37) landed Chennai at the final count down. With Chennai’s victory, Mumbai Indian’s are now out of the circuit and will only play their last one against Bangalore Royal Challengers; at least to take some positive to the next season with a win.
Brief scores:
Chennai Super Kings 148/3 (Raina 54*, Dhoni 37) Deccan Chargers 147/8 (Rao 46, Teja 40)
Upcoming Matches
Bangalore Royal Challengers vs. Mumbai Indians; May 28 (Time: 4 pm) Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore – Karnataka
Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals; May 28 (Time: 8 pm) Venue: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - Chandigarh
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