Pune Warriors India put an end to Chennai Super Kings winning streak at home with a 24 run win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday. Having posted 159 on the back of Aaron Finch and Steven Smith's contributions, PWI pegged back CSK's run chase with regular wickets to finish on top. Chasing 160, CSK were jolted early as Bhuvneshwar Kumar trapped Srikkanth Anirudha (0) leg before and bowled a fantastic first over maiden. Murali Vijay was given a reprieve on 1 as Tirumalasetti Suman dropped a sitter. Suman however redeemed himself by pouching Suresh Raina (8) off Kumar.
Abhishek Nayar then had Vijay (24) caught by Ross Taylor to leave CSK at 40 for 3. Subramaniam Badrinath (34) along with Ravindra Jadeja consolidated for CSK putting on 46 runs for the fourth wicket before Mitchell Marsh had the former caught by Smith at long-off. PWI continued to chip away at the wickets as Marsh struck again dismissing Jadeja (27). With CSK needing 61 off 30 balls, Rahul Sharma got rid of Dwayne Bravo (1) to leave the hosts six wickets down in the 16th over. Ashok Dinda picked up the important wicket of MS Dhoni (10) leaving CSK needing a miracle for a win. CSK eventually finished 24 runs short.
Earlier PWI elected to bat after winning the toss and they started positively as Finch hit three boundaries in the first over off Dirk Nannes. He continued to dominate the CSK bowling smashing two boundaries off Jadeja and then two more off Nannes' 5th. PWI raced to 48 for 0 in their power play. Jadeja provided CSK their first breakthrough having Finch (67) stumped by Dhoni after the Australian had launched him for a six the previous delivery. Chris Morris then struck, dismissing Robin Uthappa (26) caught at long off to bring CSK back into the game.
Steve Smith playing his first game of the season put Bravo away for consecutive boundaries to get a move on. Morris struck again dismissing Taylor (8) and Bravo then had Marsh (2) walk back. Smith (39*) provided a late flourish with a six and a boundary off Nannes before reverse flicking Bravo for a six. PWI finished their 20th over at 159 for 5. Man-of-the-match: Steve Smith Brief Scores: Pune Warriors India 159 for 5 (Aaron Finch 67, Chris Morris 2-25) defeated Chennai Super Kings 135 for 8 (Subramaniam Badrinath 34, Bhuvneshwar Kumar) by 24 runs.