Deccan Chargers unbeaten start ended by Delhi Daredevils

Delhi Daredevils ended the Deccan Chargers unbeaten start and the Chennai Super Kings stayed in semifinals contention for the Indian Premier League on Thursday.

Tillakaratne Dilshan starred in the six-wicket win over the Deccan Chargers, scoring an unbeaten 52 as Delhi reached 150-4 in response to Deccan's 148-9.

In the second match at Centurion, Suresh Raina racked 98 while Lakshmipathy Balaji took 4-21 to lead the Chennai Super Kings to a 38-run win over Rajasthan Royals.

Deccan remained atop the standings but on run rate from Delhi, Kings XI Punjab was two points behind on 6, and Mumbai Indians edged Chennai and Rajasthan for fourth on run rate.

In the first match, Australian left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes used deceptive pace to take 2-16 and remove openers Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs inside the first three overs to leave Deccan reeling on 2-19. They never recovered from the setback, although Dwayne Smith's 48 off 28 balls pushed their total to respect.

In reply, Delhi started well, with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir putting on 30 for the first wicket. Dilshan and Dinesh Karthik (41 off 30 balls) then tallied 72 off 66 balls for the fourth wicket in a match-winning partnership.

Deccan captain Adam Gilchrist said conditions in South Africa have made it possible for pace bowlers to enjoy Twenty20 success.

"The ball is playing a greater part here than last year in the subcontinent," he said. "The conditions here in South Africa give pace bowlers a chance. It encourages batsmen to bat smarter. It's a good challenge for us (batsmen) in these conditions."

In the second match, Delhi Daredevils amassed 164-5, guided by Raina, who was dismissed in the final over after hitting 10 boundaries and five sixes. He thought he'd notched the tournament's second century but it was an error on the scoreboard.

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