Chennai, May 8 (IANS): League leaders Chennai Super Kings (CSK) posted 158 for five against Mumabi Indians in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the M.A. Chaidambaram Stadium here on Friday.
CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat.
They were on the offensive from the very start with opener Dwayne Smith (27) and Brendon McCullum (23) threatening to cut loose with aggressive shots.
But three quick wickets of McCullum, Suresh Raina (10) and Smith halted their progress.
Faf du Plessis (17) and Dhoni (39 not out) resurrected their innings and gave them a necessary platform to accelerate in the slog overs in the sluggish pitch.
After du Plessis' dismissal in the 16th over, Dhoni along with Pawan Negi (36 not out) helped CSK post a fighting total.
Negi eclipsed Dhoni in power hitting, taking just 17 balls for his unbeaten 36, studded by four boundaries and a six while Dhoni took 32 balls for his 39, with two fours and two sixes.
For Chennai, spinner Ravichandra Ashwin returned to action after missing their last three matches with a finger injury. He replaced Ishwar Pandey in the team.
Mumbai also made a change, replacing Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga with South African Marchant de Lange.