Chennai Super Kings beat Deccan Chargers by 19 runs

CHENNAI: Fielding made the difference between Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. While the Chargers had to pay for dropping a few genuine chances from the bats of Mike Hussey and Suresh Raina, CSK were brilliant in the field, refused to give up and made it difficult for the Hyderabad players to chase down a formidable target of 166.


The Chargers, who had beaten CSK twice here before, failed to carry on after a rock-solid start and lost by 19 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Though the Chargers' hard-hitting opener Sunny Sohal (56; 30b 4x6, 6x4) showed tremendous intent, DC's star-studded middle-order failed to rise to the task.

Bharat Chipli (17), Kumar Sangakkara (15), Cameron White (13) and JP Duminy (17) all got starts but failed to get going. Albie Morkel (3-38) was the most successful bowler for CSK, who scripted the most amazing comeback in the second half of the game.

Earlier, the Chargers' Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara took a cue from Dhoni when he opted to open the Chargers' bowling with part-time spinner Duminy. Though the move took the Chepauk crowd by surprise, Duminy did not disappoint and helped restrict CSK in the initial stages.

Shrugging off the initial hiccup, CSK came back to score165 for five in their stipulated 20 overs. Raina (59; 35b, 4x6, 2x6), Hussey (46; 41b, 4x5) and Morkel (19; 6b, 3x6) made full use of their opponents' fielding lapses and guided CSK to a massive score.

Sangakkara used his bowling resources accurately as Ishant, Daniel Christian, Harmeet Singh, Ojha and Amit Mishra maintained a tight line. But they conceded extra runs at the death which proved crucial.

Teams:

Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt.), Murali Vijay, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Srikkanth Anirudha, Albie Morkel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Suraj Randiv.

Deccan Chargers: Kumar Sangakkara (Capt.), Sunny Sohal, Shikhar Dhawan, Jean Paul Duminy, Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Bharat Chipli, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Harmeet Singh.

Who stands where at midway point in IPL 4

MUMBAI INDIANS

7 Games 10 Points

Captain Tendulkar is among IPL4's top run-getters and Lasith Malinga the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps.

Surprise Package: Wicketkeeper-batsman Ambati Rayudu's consistent showing.

Prospects: Despite stunning loss against Raj Royals last week, Mukesh Ambani's men favoured to reach last four. Could go all the way.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS

8 Games 10 Points

Among the finest fielding sides. Can defend low totals thanks to Dhoni's sharp captaincy. Have stifled seemingly rampant opponents, like Chargers on Sunday.

Surprise Package: S Badrinath has frequently held a shaky middle-order together.

Prospects: Far from their best but still look good enough to reach last four.

DELHI DAREDEVILS

8 Games 6 Points

Occasionally sublime, generally ridiculous. Despite notching up the season's highest score, DD are the season's biggest disappointment. No match-winning bowler.

Surprise Package: Middle-order bat Venugopal Rao is often the boy on the burning deck.

Prospects: Face stiff task of winning 4 or 5 out of remaining 6 to reach last four.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

8 Games 10 Points

Gautam Gambhir's team is second only to Mumbai Indians in all-round balance.

Surprise Package: Batsman Manoj Tiwary has muscled his way back into national reckoning.

Prospects: Have quality and intent to reach last four and sail beyond.

PUNE WARRIORS INDIA

8 Games 4 Points

The bowling unit has misfired consistently. Firangs in the team too must do more.

Surprise Package: Nobody really. But spinner Rahul Sharma has held his own against the best.

Prospects: After dream start, in nightmarish form now.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

8 Games 9 Points

Displayed great fighting abilities against KKR. But Vettori's team doesn't have a single bowler in top 15.

Surprise Package: T Dilshan. But for the wrong reasons.

Prospects: Could be a challenger for the fourth semifinal spot.

KINGS XI PUNJAB

6 Games 6 Points

Not the strongest or the most balanced of squads. Sub-par bowling and fielding unit.

Surprise Package: Opener Paul Valthaty has come up with electrifying starts and decent spells in a couple of matches.

Prospects: Need to lift their game urgently.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

9 Games 11 Points

Warne's inspirational captaincy ensures IPL 1 winners punch way beyond their weight.

Surprise Package: Young Ashok Menaria has impressed with bat and ball. Johan Botha's batting is a revelation.

Prospects: Surprise leaders. Well in line for semifinal spot.

KOCHI TUSKERS

8 Games 6 Points

Captain Mahela Jayawardene is the team's prime mover. But the desi players must raise their game.

Surprise Package: Ravindra Jadeja is a vastly improved version of his previous self.

Prospects: Seem to have faded away after a bright start.

DECCAN CHARGERS

8 Games 6 Points

K Sangakkara leads from front but team lacks batting muscle.

Surprise Package: Leg spinner Amit Mishra and opener Sunny Sohal.

Prospects: Dim unless the IPL 2 champions show more determination and drive.