Chennai do just enough

Duckworth/Lewis method condemns Kolkata

Last updated: 18th May 2008

makhaya ntini

Ntini: quiet hat-trick

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The Chennai Super Kings consolidated their hold on third in the IPL standings with a three-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders in a weather-shortened contest at Eden Gardens.

In pursuit of a victory target of 150, Parthiv Patel (19no) and Stephen Fleming (32no) led the Super Kings to 55-0 after eight overs when a dust storm, followed by rain, brought a premature end to proceedings.

That was just enough to claim the two points as the D/L calculation had the visitors three runs ahead at that point.

Earlier, Salman Butt's 73 guided the Knight Riders to a total of 149-5 after they opted to bat first.

The Pakistan opener made his runs from 54 balls including 10 fours and a six, while Super Kings paceman Makhaya Ntini impressed with 4-21.

Ntini's haul included a hat-trick, although nobody seemed to realise it at the time. The South African bowled Sourav Ganguly (2) with the final delivery of the fifth over and, when he returned for a second spell in the 16th over, promptly cleaned up Debabrata Das (27) and David Hussey (0).

Chennai are now well placed to progress to the semi-finals with 14 points from 11 matches, but Kolkata's hopes of a last-four spot are fading as the defeat leaves them down in sixth with 10 from 11 matches.