BADRINATH GUIDES CSK TO CLAIM TOP

S.Badrinath and Mathew Hayden scored 59 not out and 48 runs respectively as Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in the Indian Premier League match here on Saturday.With the victory,Super kings moved to top spot with 13 points in 10 matches.

Earlier,the Rajasthan Royals put together a competitive score,However,none of the batsmen could capitalise on their starts.South African skipper Greame smith top-scored with a sedate 30 off 33 balls with two hits to the boundary.Three other batsmen scored over 20 runs,but failed to make the most of their stay at the crease.

At one stage,Rajasthan were struggling to even get to that mark as they kept losing quick wickets,especially Yusuf Pathan who fell for seven.

Sri lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was the pick of the bowlers for the Super Kings,returning figures of 2/22.Left armer Jakati also grabbed a couple but conceded 35 runs of his alloted four overs.

Late fireworks by skipper Shane Warne,who hit 21 of 11 balls,took Rajasthan comfortably the last time they met,brought back Jacob Oram and Murali Vijay into the squad in place of Goerge Bailey and Manpreet Gony.

Rajasthan,on the other hand replaced Niraj Patel and Munaf Patel with Asnodkar and Sid.


RAJASTHAN ROYALS 140/7
IN 20 OVERS DEFEATED BY

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS 141/3
HAYDEN 48 AND BADRINATH 59