Disappointed Chennai Super Kings hope to end CLT20 campaign on a high

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Already out of the semi-final race, IPL heavyweights Chennai Super Kings would look to redeem some pride and end their campaign on a high when they take on a less-formidable Yorkshire in their final Group B match of the Champions League Twenty20 here tomorrow.

Both Chennai and fellow IPL side Mumbai Indians have crashed out of the tournament after Sydney Sixers and Highveld Lions qualified for the semi-finals from Group B.

Even before the first ball was bowled in last night's IPL derby between Chennai and Mumbai, the match was rendered a dead-rubber after Lions notched up a five-wicket victory over Yorkshire earlier in the day to become the second team from Group B to reach the semifinals.

However, there was something to cheer about for Chennai fans as the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side eked out a narrow six-run win over Mumbai in the consequential IPL derby.

Chennai would like to carry on the winning momentum into tomorrow's match and going by form, the Indian outfit starts as overwhelming favourites against Yorkshire.

The Super Kings had made a big splash when they won the IPL in 2010 and 2011 and also annexed the Champions League title in 2010 but the Dhoni-led team failed to live up to their reputation in the latest edition of the Twenty20 event and their successive loses in the first two games put paid to their title hopes this time too.

The Chennai-based team started its campaign with a 14-run loss to Sydney Sixers before suffering a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Lions. They, however, managed to register a win over Mumbai, which though came a little too late.

Against Mumbai last night, Murali Vijay and Faf du Plessis set the platform with a challenging 173 for 8 with a 86-run opening stand. Dhoni also played an useful hand with a 19-ball 35-run cameo.

And if they can continue the same way, there is no reason why Chennai can't post a huge total against a weak Yorkshire bowling attack.