Bangalore, April 29:

The Chennai Super Kings overcame two adverse situations, the first with the bat and then with the ball, to extend their unbeaten streak in the Indian Premier League to four matches, defeating the Bangalore Royal Challengers by 13 runs.

Chennai were struggling for momentum during their innings, having scored only 102 for 3 off 15 overs before Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who struck a blistering 65, and Michael Hussey, who scored 28 off 17 balls, clouted 76 off the last five overs to reach 178/5. Their bowlers were under pressure as Bangalore, chasing 179, cruised to 102 for 2 in 11 overs but Chennai’s medium-pace attack persevered and the hosts’ middle order panicked towards the business-end of the chase. Bangalore were dismissed for 165, falling to their third straight defeat at home.

Bangalore were coasting towards the target while Wasim Jaffer, who was dropped thrice during his 50, and Ross Taylor put on 89 for the second wicket.

The turning point came when both Jacques Kallis and Taylor fell in the space of six balls. Bangalore slipped from needing 52 runs off 36 balls with eight wickets in hand to 47 runs off 29 balls with six wickets left. Rahul Dravid, who had demoted himself down the order, fell for his second consecutive golden duck.

Chennai pulled off the victory from an improbable position but they had their captain to thank for setting a competitive total. Dhoni mesmerised the crowd with tremendous power and improvisation. His 30-ball 65 grabbed the initiative away from Bangalore and resulted in Chennai posting a match-winning total.