The Chennai Super Kings comfortably defended a total of 181-4 to claim an 18-run victory over the Kings XI Punjab in Saturday's Indian Premier League fixture.

Rapid half-centuries from Subramaniam Badrinath (64) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (60no) led the Super Kings to a respectable score after they had been asked to bat.

Lakshmipathy Balaji then took 5-24 to ruin Punjab's reply and seal his side's sixth win in the tournament.

Balaji's haul included dangermen Shaun Marsh (58) and Irfan Pathan (40) as the Kings XI finished well short on 163-9.

The result moves the Super Kings level with the Rajasthan Royals at the top of the points table, while Punjab remain well placed in third despite the loss.

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