CSK IN CRUISE MODE

It took Chennai Super Kings just five overs at the start to quash all hopes of Pune Warriors India registering an unlikely second victory over their fancied rivals in the league stage.

Needing 165 to win, Pune were reduced to 43 for 4 and managed just 127 for 9 to slip to a disappointing 37run loss here at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium on Tuesday. The home team continue to occupy the last position in the table after suffering a fifth straight defeat while Chennai’s eight win helped them widen the gap at the top to four points.

The home team’s chase was in tatters as Chennai medium pacer Mohit Sharma (4-0-21-3) wreaked havoc by dismissing captain Aaron Finch (15) and T. Suman (0) in the third over, his first. The Haryana bowler continued his impressive run and claimed Yuvraj Singh for five. The left-hander, who is struggling for form, was glued to the crease and like Finch, got an outside edge to Dhoni. Pune were in further trouble when Robin Uthappa (10), was run out courtesy Suresh Raina, who capped off a brilliant day with a fine dive to go with his unbeaten 63 off 50 balls earlier. Adding insult to injury, Luke Wright and Abhishek Nayar were runout while Jadeja got rid of top scorer Steven Smith 35.

Earlier, Chennai’s crisis man M.S. Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 45 off only 16 balls to take the visitors to a competitive 164 for 3 after electing to bat first. The home team put up a fine performance to keep the visitors under control before Suresh Raina 63 (50b, 5x4, 1x6) and Dhoni's late cameo took them past the 150-mark.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4-124-0), the leader of the pack for the home was accurate yet again and troubled the batsmen with his immaculate length and swing after starting his spell with a maiden over.

Rahul Sharma too was economical giving away 27 from his four overs.