Jakati Spins Chennai to victory

For long, Rajasthan Royals' Swapnil Asnodkar has been the face of Goan cricket in DLF Indian Premier League. Chennai Super Kings' left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati, who lives in Bangalore but plays for Goa, emerged as another impressive face from the coastal state with a gutsy display in the face of adverstity against Delhi Daredevils on Saturday.

Jakati did not let his rival batsmen's reputation or form worry him as he claimed four wickets for 24 runs. He was the mastermind of Chennai Super Kings' 18-run victory over Delhi Daredevils at the Bull Ring – as the magnificent Wanderers ground is known. From 127 for three in the 16th over, Delhi Daredevils crumbled to 145 in 20 overs.

Bowling for the first time in the tournament, he castled Tillekeratne Dilshan with an armer, had David Warner stumped when the left-handed opener was beaten in attempting a mighty heave, induced a top-edge off a Dinesh Karthik sweep to mid-wicket and pegged back Pradeep Sangwan's stumps by slipping the ball past another hopeful heave.

Warner and Karthik were pushing Delhi Daredevils ahead after Sudeep Tyagi's double strike rattled them at the start. Leading the side in place of an injured Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, was out to a brilliant catch at point by Suresh Raina and AB de Villiers was bowled by a peach of a delivery that snaked its way through a slight gap between bat and pad.

Earlier, Matthew Hayden, Suresh Raina and S Badrinath got off to good starts but were unable to capitalise on them and Chennai Super Kings made 163 after being put in to bat. New ball bowlers Dirk Nannes and Ashish Nehra claimed three wickets each to ensure that Delhi Daredevils batsmen would be left with a smaller target than seemed possible at one stage.

The victory lifted Chennai Super Kings (seven points) to the fourth place behind Deccan Chargers (eight), Delhi Daredevils (eight) and Mumbai Indians (seven). Rajasthan Royals are the third team with seven points and are in fifth place. Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore are two sides with six points each, three points more than Kolkata Knight Riders.