Even before the match began, Chennai Super Kings got the news that they have certainly qualified for the playoffs. Their next target is securing a spot in the top two, especially after they found out last season how difficult it is to win the title on qualifying among the bottom pair. Finishing either first or second allows them the luxury of an opening defeat in the playoffs, while ending on third or fourth will leave teams needing to win three successive matches against the best team in the competition.
With that as their motivation, Super Kings set about dismantling the already demoralised and eliminated Delhi Daredevils on a muggy night in Chennai. As usual, Super Kings weren't exactly in a tearing hurry at the start of their innings, but a series of big hits - led by MS Dhoni's power-packed half-century - took them to a competitive total.
Daredevils, the best team in the league phase last season, have had a startling fall this season. Before every match, their fans have been placing their faith in the trio of match-winning batsmen - Mahela Jayawardene, Virender Sehwag and David Warner - to deliver the results. There have been repeated failures from all three batsmen this season, contributing to a dismal series of results. Today, they were missing Jayawardene - since Sri Lankan players are prevented from playing in Chennai - and Sehwag fell for a duck in the first over of the chase, leaving Warner with the responsibility of making a match of it.
He top scored with a restrained 44, shedding buckets of sweat over the course of his innings but with several of his team-mates perishing after attempting big strokes, Daredevils never really threatened in the chase. Johan Botha and Unmukt Chand briefly put up some resistance early on, but a series of wickets soon after the Powerplay effectively ended Daredevil's challenge.
The result left Super Kings on 22 points, two clear of their closest challengers, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. The easy victory was the perfect end to their campaign at home, which they marked with a celebratory lap around the Chidambaram stadium to salute their vocal and passionate fans.
The result left Super Kings on 22 points, two clear of their closest challengers, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. The easy victory was the perfect end to their campaign at home, which they marked with a celebratory lap around the Chidambaram stadium to salute their vocal and passionate fans.
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