MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings consolidated their position at the top of the table with an exciting four-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League ( IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium here yesterday. With the win, Super Kings have 14 points, equal with Kings XI Punjab, but were second on the basis of run rate. This was also Super Kings’ first win at the Wankhede.
Meanwhile,Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Delhi Daredevils by eight wickets under the D/L method in a rain-marred Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ferozeshah Kotla yesterday.
Delhi’s fourth consecutive loss means they are all but out of contention for the play-off spot while the win took Hyderabad (eight points) to fourth in the table, two points ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders in fifth.
After restricting the Daredevils to 143 for seven in 20 overs, the Sunrisers’ innings was blighted by rain interruptions.
Their target was cut to 117 in 15 overs under the D/L method, when light showers stopped play for the second time in the match.
The target was further revised to 97 in 12 overs after rain interrupted proceedings for the third time. Sunrisers were 11 for one in 1.1 overs when the skies opened.
Sunrisers captain Shikhar Dhawan (4) went early, leaving the onus on Australian duo David Warner (12 not out) and Aaron Finch. Skipper Kevin Pietersen, who promoted himself to opening the batting, struggled early on but Karn Sharma’s fifth over paved way for the Englishman to return to his blistering self.
The former England captain smashed the leg spinner for 14 runs and then added to Sunriser’s woes by plundering Moises Henriques for 15 runs in the very next over. However, Amit Mishra put an end to Pietersen’s marauding innings, picking up his 100th wicket in the IPL.Delhi were motoring at 103 for three in 13.1 overs before the rain gods came crashing down. The hosts seemed to lose all momentum after returning. AGENCIES
