May 08, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1429

CHENNAI, May 7: The Chennai Super Kings have plenty to ponder after losing to the Deccan Chargers by seven wickets, their third successive defeat, in the Indian Premier League match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday (also partly reported in Wednesday’s edition).

Super Kings’ top order failed again and their total of 144 was easily overhauled by Deccan, inspired by a blazing 54 by stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist.

In the absence of regular skipper Vangipurappu Laxman, Adam Gilchrist led his side to victory with a bludgeoning 36-ball 54, after R.P. Singh led a disciplined bowling effort as Super Kings were restricted to 144-7.

Stuck with a nagging problem of the top order falling apart before they knew what hit them, Hyderabad finally displayed true potential of their batting. While Gilchrist flayed the Super Kings’ bowlers, Scott Styris (36 not out), Rohit Sharma (23) and Shahid Afridi (20 not out) all made it count with the bat.

After a quiet start to the chase, Herschelle Gibbs showed glimpses of his striking abilities, lashing Makhaya Ntini for a six over cover and a four to midwicket, before being caught-and-bowled by the impressive Gony.

Gilchrist, leading the side after Laxman suffered a hand injury, had also been tied down by Gony but got going with a couple of pulled boundaries off Albie Morkel in the fourth over.

The former Australian great then tore into Ntini: the first ball was sent into the stands over his favourite midwicket area, the second was a lofted straight drive which ran away for four and the third was smashed back over the bowler’s head for six.

With Styris, promoted to No 3, playing a steady hand at the other end, Gilchrist kept the barrage of boundaries coming before he cut a short and wide delivery from Morkel straight to Badrinath at point. By then, the required-rate had come down to around six — leisurely by Twenty20 standards.

Rohit Sharma slammed a 17-ball 23, including a stunning straight six to reclaim the orange cap for being the tournament’s highest cumulative run-scorer. Styris remained unbeaten on 36 as Afridi smashed Joginder Sharma for two sixes and two fours in an over to complete the victory.

This is Deccan Chargers’ second win and it lifts them off the bottom of the table.

Summarised scores:

HENNAI SUPER KINGS 144-7 in 20 overs (Suresh Raina 32, Albie Morkel 29 not out, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 23; R.P. Singh 2-12); DECCAN CHARGERS 148-3 in 18 overs (Adam Gilchrist 54, Scott Styris 36 not out, Rohit Sharma 23, Shahid Afridi 20 not out).—Agencies