Chennai Super Kings Beat Rajasthan Royals By Seven Runs

Abudabi, 23 April-2014(Cricket World): The Chennai Super Kings continued their Indian Premier League 2014 resurgence with a seven-run win over the Rajasthan Royals in Dubai.

Chennai Super Kings Beat Rajasthan Royals By Seven Runs

The Chennai Super Kings were up to second in the table after beating the Rajasthan Royals © REUTERS / Action Images

The victory margin was as close as it was thanks to a few late lusty blows from Dhawal Kulkarni as the Royals were largely outplayed.

The Super Kings reached 140 for six but the Royals were bowled out for 133 in 19.5 overs.

Dwayne Smith top scored for the Super Kings with 50 in 28 balls as the two-time champions bounced back from being reduced to 74 for five.

Ravindra Jadeja 36 not out in 33 balls while Mithun Manhas (10) was the only other player to reach double figures.

Rajat Bhatia produced another fine spell for the Royals, taking two for 13 with James Faulkner, Pravin Tambe and Stuart Binny also taking a wicket.

The Royals lost Abshishek Nayar early when he was run out by Brendon McCullum for five but looked to be rebuilding through Ajinkya Rahane (15) and Sanju Samson (16).

They put on 27 together for the second wicket and that was the biggest partnership of the innings until Bhatia (23) and Kulkarni (28 not out in 19 balls) came together at the fall of the eighth wicket, with the score on 85.

Jadeja backed up his big hitting with four for 28, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ishwar Pandey, Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohit Sharma also taking a wicket as the Royals lost their way.

Kulkarni made things interesting with a couple of sixes, which left the 2008 champions needing nine to win from two balls.

After Kulkarni hit the next delivery into the outfield, Tambe was run out. Instead of pushing for a short second run that would have given Kulkarni a chance of levelling the scores, he tried to send his partner back before reluctantly setting off, eventually run out well short by Ashwin.

After losing their opening game to the Kings XI Punjab, the Chennai Super Kings now find themselves second in the table after two straight wins.

The Rajasthan Royals have now done the opposite, following up an opening win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, with two defeats.

© Cricket World 2014