Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs

Chennai, April 3 : The Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 23 runs for their fourth win in nine matches in the Indian Premier League here Saturday.

Opener Murali Vijay (127, 56b, 11x6, 8x4) scored a brilliant century and shared a 152-run partnership with Albie Morkel (62, 34b, 5x6, 3x4) that took the Super Kings to a record 246 for five.

In reply, the Rajasthan Royals put on a spirited fight as Naman Ojha (92 not out, 55b, 6x6, 8x4) and Shane Watson 60 (25b, 5x6, 5x4) took their side close to the target that eventually proved beyond them as they lost wickets at crucial junctures.

The other hero for the Super Kings was left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger, playing the game less than 48 hours after flying in from New Zealand. He took two wickets for just 15 runs besides coming up with a spectacular catch to get rid of danger man Yusuf Pathan.

For Rajasthan Royals, it was their fifth defeat in nine matches and second on the trot.