Gilchrist leads Deccan charge

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Adam Gilchrist has led the Deccan Chargers to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

The Chargers captain smashed 54 off 36 balls to help his side reach its victory target with two overs to spare.

Deccan's win was only its second in seven matches after it kicked off the tournament as favourite.

The Super Kings have now lost three straight matches since losing Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey to international duty.

They had won their first four games with the Australian pair in the line-up.

Chennai batted first after being put in at its home MA Chidambaram Stadium and compiled 7 for 144, with Suresh Raina top-scoring with 32 from 21 deliveries.

Albi Morkel contributed 29 and MS Dhoni 23, but no Super Kings batsman was able to fire.

RP Singh took 2 for 12 from his three overs for the Chargers.

Deccan's reply was swift with Gilchrist spanking seven fours and two sixes in a dominant innings.

Scott Styris (36 not out) and Shahid Afridi (20 not out) finished off Gilchrist's early work, with the Chargers reaching 3 for 148 with 12 balls to spare.