May 07, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1, 1429

CHENNAI, May 6: Seamer R.P. Singh led a disciplined bowling effort from Deccan Chargers as Chennai Super Kings were restricted to 144-7 in their India Premier League fixture at the Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.

Desperately seeking a win to keep alive their chances in the IPL, R.P. Singh and Paidikalva Vijaykumar gave Deccan Chargers the perfect start as both struck from either end early to remove Parthiv Patel and Srikkanth Anirudh.

Depleted by the departure of foreign imports Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey and Jacob Oram, the Super Kings batting crumbled under pressure for the second time running.

Two dropped chances seemed the script began to go against Deccan Chargers, but Rohit Sharma and Herschelle Gibbs made up for them with two outstanding catches as Stephen Fleming (14) and S. Badrinath’s (0) dismissals further dented the hosts’ progress.

Suresh Raina and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni finally appeared to have stemmed the rot, putting in valuable runs from a precarious 43-4. But Sanjay Bangar ended their defiance by getting rid of Raina for 32 before Pragyan Ojha removed Dhoni (23) as Super Kings slid further to 86-6.

However, a last-gasp effort from Albie Morkel and Manpreet Gony lifted the hosts to 144-7.

All of Hyderabad bowlers took at least a wicket, but Gilchrist’s gamble of not bowling out R.P. Singh, whose three overs went for 12 with two wickets, cost them 20 runs in the last over.—Agencies

DC win

DECCAN Chargers romped home by seven wickets with two overs to spare.