The Chennai Super Kings climbed to the top of the Indian Premier League with a hard-fought two-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders this evening.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, Chennai got off to a solid start with both Dwayne Smith (25) and Brendon McCullum (19) going at better than a run a ball in the early stages.
However, both fell before really troubling the scoreboard and the Super Kings' innings dried up in the middle order.
Faf du Plessis's 29 runs off 29 balls was the best Chennai managed as they finished on 134-6 - their third-lowest ever total at home.
Kolkata's innings got off to the worst possible start when they lost Gautam Gambhir for a golden duck, but they recovered quickly and were motoring towards the total required in the early stages.
Robin Uthappa (39) was flying, but once his wicket fell in the sixth over, the Knight Riders went on a boundary drought and at one point failed to score a four or a six in 11 overs.
Ryan ten Doeschate's late flurry of 38 runs almost gave Kolkata victory, but it was the Super Kings who came through, with Dwayne Bravo's three late wickets ending any hope the visitors had of snatching it.
Chennai are now unbeaten in nine home games, while Kolkata remain third in the standings with seven points from seven games.
Pascal Lemesre
