IPL PHOTOS: Captain Dhoni leads Chennai to top of the table

Chennai Super Kings defeated Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in the Indian Premier League match, in Ranchi, on Tuesday.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni showed why he is considered the best finisher in limited-overs' cricket with yet another fluent final flourish.

His unbeaten 26 helped Chennai romp home with two balls to spare.

- Scorecard

Chasing a modest target of 149, the two-time former champions reached the target with two balls to spare, Dhoni hitting a six off James Faulkner's final over and getting 11 of the required 12 runs.

Chennai now are on top of the eight-team table with 16 points from 10 games.

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Earlier, Rajasthan Royals left many surprised by opening their innings with a new pair, as Shane Watson walked out to bat with Ankit Sharma, who was playing in his first match of IPL 7.

Left-hander Sharma struggled at the start, before he slammed Ravichandran Ashwin for two boundaries and a six in his first over.

He scored 30 from 27 balls, putting on 60 runs for the opening wicket with Watson.

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Captain Watson lifted Rajasthan after a sedate start, with a quickfire half-century.

The Australian all-rounder slammed 51 from 36 balls, with the help of three fours and four big sixes.

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Ajinkya Rahane departed early as he was run-out after scoring four following a misunderstanding with Watson.

Watson also fell soon after as Rajasthan lost the initiative after a good start.

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Young pacer Mohit Sharma kept chipping away at the wickets to restrict Rajasthan in the final overs.

He finished with three for 31 in four overs, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed two for 18 to restrict the visitors to a modest 148 for eight in their 20 overs.

Rajasthan scored just 34 runs in the last five overs.

In reply, while Smith (44) batted in his customary attacking fashion, hitting five fours and two sixes off 35 balls, Brendon McCullum (6) and Suresh Raina (2) were out playing poor shots to left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma. 

However, CSK's batting depth again came to the fore and Dhoni's presence ensured that it was the umpteenth time that the formidable outfit successfully chased down a target in the death overs.