Chennai Super Kings today produced a clinical performance to register their third consecutive win in IPL-7 and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni attributed the success to the "superb" death bowling of his pace battery.
Young Mohit Sharma Mohit (4/14) shone with the ball before Brendon McCullum smashed a belligerent unbeaten 71 to guide Chennai to a comfortable seven-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians.
Mohit produced a fine death bowling display to help Chennai restrict the title holders to a modest 141 for seven.
"The death bowling was superb. In the middle overs they (Mumbai) had a partnership going which meant we were under a bit of pressure. It meant the bowlers had to step up," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We were not sure how the wicket would play in the second half. Last game we played here we realised the slower one works really well, you had to hit the right areas which Mohit did," he said.
Chasing the target, Dwayne Smith (29) and McCullum got Chennai off to a flier scoring 57 runs for the opening wicket which set the platform for the win which eventually came with an over to spare.
Dhoni was quick to compliment both his openers -- Smith and McCullum -- for their efforts.
"If Dwayne Smith gets going, McCullum takes a backseat, and if there is a change in momentum, McCullum takes charge. They have complemented each other very well. Following them we have got (Suresh) Raina, (Faf) du Plessis, we have good firepower to capitalise," he said.
