T&T top group, push CSK into Jaipur semi-final

Trinidad & Tobago handed Chennai Super Kings a humiliating eight-wicket loss here on Wednesday to enter the semi-final of the CLT20 in emphatic style after finishing on top of Group B. Chasing 119 for a win, the West Indian side’s batsmen made light of the CSK attack, cruising home in 15.1 overs. CSK’s big loss pushed them to second place in the table and they will face the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, where the hosts have an impeccable record. T&T will take on Mumbai Indians in the second semi-final on Saturday. Chasing a below-par total, T&T openers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis produced a smooth start and raised 45 in the powerplays. Simmons continued to enjoy a good day in office contributing the majority of runs in the 79-run stand for the opening wicket. He fell for 63, when the target was three runs away. CSK bowlers failed to provide the breakthroughs and both T&T openers stayed well in control. Suresh Raina removed Lewis in the first ball of the 11th over, but by then the equation was loaded heavily in favour of the West Indian team. Earlier, T&T delivered a disciplined performance to bowl out CSK for 118, led by Rayad Emrit’s 3/21. Chennai, whose batsmen played key roles in the three successive wins in Ranchi, failed to rise to the occasion on the day. Raina (38) and skipper M.S. Dhoni (25) were the only notable contributors for CSK as Emrit was well supported by Ravi Rampaul and Simmons, each with two wickets. Rampaul gave T&T an early breakthrough getting rid of the in-form Michael Hussey with only seven runs on board. But Vijay, who at the other end was showing some good rhythm, and Raina took the team total to 49/1 at the end of six overs. The 55-run stand was broken by Simmons as Vijay pulled one back onto his stumps in the ninth over. T&T skipper Denesh Ramdin, who by then had bowled out leg-spinner Samuel Badree, introduced Sunil Narine with the dangerous Raina, M.S. Dhoni combo in the middle. But it was from the other end that he got the wicket. Lendl made it two in two overs when Raina was caught by Rampaul as CSK were reduced to 78/3. The CSK middle order was tested for the first time and T&T used the opportunity well to restrict the runs. Scores: Chennai Super Kings 118 in 19.4 overs (S. Raina 38, M. Vijay 27, M.S. Dhoni 25; Simmons 2/10, Rampaul 2/31) lost to Trinidad & Tobago 119/2 in 15.1 overs (L. Simmons 63, E. Lewis 38; Raina 1/16, Ashwin 1/24)