T Suman ensures Deccan victory

For the second match running, T Suman contributed a match-winning half-century to ensure Deccan Chargers kept moving up the IPL points table. A target of 139 meant than Chennai Super Kings had to strike early to have any chance of a successful defense. The very impressive R Ashwin's dismissal of the Deccan openers in the fifth over, with lovely traditional offspin, gave Chennai a sniff but Suman emphasised how crucial his presence at No. 3 was with a sensible innings. Against Bangalore two nights ago, Suman had batted aggressively because Deccan where chasing 185 but today he focused on staying at the crease.

He reigned in the big shots and along with Andrew Symonds -after Rohit Sharma fell to another aerial shot outside off stump - he stablised the innings, allowing himself gain confidence against spin. Suman chipped Shadab Jakati for four and swung Suresh Raina for six, Symonds launched Jakati down the ground for maximum to negate the pressure, and the equation came to 49 from 36 balls. Dhoni had to turn to Sudeep Tyagi for his first over, the 15th, and Suman greeted him with four and six to cross fifty, the striking point being the use of a straight bat and clean swing.

Suman is clearly liking batting in the top order, and Deccan would do well to persist with him at that spot in their quest to make the semi-finals.