BANGALORE: Chennai Super Kings coasted to a very comfortable eight-wicket victory at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with quiet efficiency to stay in contention for a top two finish on the IPL table.
They recorded their ninth victory as they completed their 14-game engagements having lost five times for 18 points. Having already qualified for the knock-outs, they strolled past the required and soft target of 155 set by Royal Challengers Bangalore with consummate ease.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (49, 28b, 4x4, 3x6) and Faf du Plessis (54, 43b, 3x4, 3x6) were involved in an unbroken stand of 75 runs in 8.1 overs as they reached the target with 14 balls to spare.
Du Plessis was rather subdued after an explosive start. Dhoni blazed away to glory hoisting Yuvraj Singh over long on and long off and then over mid wicket for huge sixers.
Dhoni remained unbeaten for the 10th time in 14 innings proving how good a finisher he has been, if any proof is required at all.
At one point, 44 were required off 24 deliveries. But Dhoni plundered Yuvraj for 22 runs in the 16th over to hasten the finishing process. Takawale will probably rue a missed stumping chance in that over but then it would have hardly mattered.
A rollicking stand of 57 runs in just 4.2 overs between Faf de Plessis and Dwayne Smith saw Chennai off to a super start.
The two flayed the attack all over the park with De Plessis getting under the ball to hoist Rampaul or Jakati over the ropes often. Smith imparted a lot power to his strokes and the two carried on merrily.
But Smith mis-hit Rampaul delivery outside the leg stump and popped up a catch to Virat Kohli at mid wicket for 34 off just 17 balls with four fours and a six.
Suresh Raina (18) stepped out to hoist Yuvraj, missed completely and Takawale whipped off the bails. But it did not matter as Chennai completed the formalities.