MOHALI: Chennai Super Kings produced a clinical performance as they demolished wooden spooners Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets to finish on top of the league table and qualify for the play-offs in the Indian Premier League cricket tournament on Saturday.
After restricting Kings XI Punjab to a none-too-impressive 130 for seven in 20 overs, CSK pair of Faf du Plessis (55, 41 balls) and Suresh Raina (41 no, 34 balls) added 92 runs for the third wicket to lay the foundation of a victory that was achieved in 16.5 overs.
Du Plessis and Raina joined forces after CSK were put in a spot at 10 for 2 with both Mike Hussey (1) and Brendon McCullum (6) being dismissed cheaply.
With this victory, CSK finished their league engagements on top of the eight-team table with 18 points from 14 games: a score that no other team in the tournament looks close to achieving.
Finishing on top of the table ensures that CSK a spot in the first qualifier. Even if they lose, they will get another shot at summit glory by facing the winner of the ‘Eliminator’ between teams placed third and fourth.
For Kings XI Punjab, the crushing defeat brought an end to nightmare of a season in which nothing went their way.
A team that finished second in last year’s tournament, the Kings lost 11 matches in this year’s edition.
PTI
