IPL: Chennai trounce Delhi at home (Roundup)

Two-time champions Chennai Super Kings had little difficulty getting past the struggling Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League here Tuesday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni blasted 58 off 35 balls to push Chennai to 168 for four.

In reply, Delhi failed to put up much of a fight, managing only 135 for nine at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Albie Morkel took three wickets for 32 runs.

Chennai have qualified for the play-offs alongside Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, and the home win here puts them at the top of the standings with 22 points.

Delhi, on the other hand, are out of the competition.

The visitors were off to a disastrous start in their run-chase with Virender Sehwag getting caught behind off Mohit Sharma in the second ball of the innings.

Though the wicket looked good for batting, Delhi batsmen were unable to take on the Chennai attack. The result seemed to going one way when they lost half their side for 63 runs.

David Warner, batting in the middle order, ran out of partners once again. His 44 of 37 balls amid hot and humid conditions went in vain.

Earlier, Murali Vijay (31) and Michael Hussey (26) provided Chennai a quick start collecting 61 from the first seven overs.

Hussey was looking in ominous touch once again until he got run out, leaving his team at 69 for two.

Suresh Raina fell cheaply, getting Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja together at the crease.

The dangerous combination smashed 57 runs off 36 balls with Dhoni being the aggressor.

Dhoni, in his usual style, hit four scorching sixes including one that landed on the roof. His victim in this case was young pacer Siddarth Kaul.

Jadeja scored two fours in his 17-ball knock.