Super Kings steamroll Capitals

Skipper MS Dhoni’s prowess in the slog overs was on display yet again while home spinners bamboozled the Delhi Capitals batsmen as Chennai Super Kings prevailed in the IPL battle for the top spot with a thumping 80-run win, here on Wednesday.

It was Suresh Raina who struck a fighting 59 off 37 balls to prepare the road for revival following a slow start and Dhoni (unbeaten 44 off 22) provided the late flourish, ending the innings in style with two sixes off Trent Boult.

After making just 27 runs in Powerplay, the hosts eventually put on board a fighting 179 for four and dismissed Capitals for just 99 in 16.2 over to snatch the top spot from the visitors.

Capitals suffered a surprise batting collapse after being consistent this season. They were out of the game after losing half the batsmen by 11th over and ended up suffering their worst defeat. It was also their lowest total of the season.

The Super Kings are now sure to end in the top two.

Mumbai Indians is the only side who can displace Capitals (16 points) from the second place if they win their next two games and Delhi lose their last.

Capitals had hoped that dew would come in while batting second but Chennai spinners bamboozled them from the word go, never allowing them to settle.

South African spinner Imran Tahir (4/12) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/9) tore apart the middle order, sharing seven wickets between them. Dhoni’s quick hands were at it again as he executed two lightning fast stumpings, to dismiss skipper Shreyas Iyer (44) and dangerous Chris Morris (0).

Except Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan (19) none of the other Delhi batsmen could reach double-digit mark.