Pune: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) inched closer to an IPL-XI play-off spot after a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), courtesy a superb bowling effort from the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja (3/18) and Harbhajan Singh (2/22).
The two bowled eight overs during which they conceded only 40 runs and send five RCB batsmen including Virat Kohli (8) and AB de Villiers (1) back to the hut and restrict them to 127 for nine in 20 overs. Only Parthiv Patel (53, 41b, 5×4, 2×6) batted well at the top of the order and Tim Southee (36 n o, 26b, 3×4, 1×6) took the score past the 100-run mark.
On a tricky pitch, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (31 n o, 23b, 1×4, 3×6) then picked up Yuzvendra Chahal for some special treatment with three huge sixes as CSK knocked off the required runs in only 18 overs to move to 14 points from 10 games. Earlier, CSK had been given a good start by Ambati Rayudu (32, 25b, 3×4, 2×6).
Another win in the next four matches will guarantee CSK a spot as 16 points has always been a cut-off for play-off qualification.
RCB’s sloppy fielding also contributed to their downfall. At 80 for four in the 13th over, CSK were in a spot of bother but Parthiv Patel as usual was shoddy behind the stumps and dropped Dwayne Bravo (14 n o, 17b, 1×6) off Murugan Ashwin. The batsman then was on one.
Ashwin was also unlucky when Chahal dropped Bravo at deep extra-cover as the all-rounder along with his skipper added 48 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand.
Brief scores: RCB 127/9 (Parthiv Patel 53, Tim Southee 36 n o; Ravindra Jadeja 3/18, Harbhajan Singh 2/22) lost to CSK 128/4 (Ambati Rayudu 32, MS Dhoni 31 n o; Umesh Yadav 2/15) by six wickets.
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