Captain MS Dhoni blasted 58 not out to lift CSK to a competitive 168-4. Delhi never looked like posing a threat and ultimately finished at 135/9 to lose by 33 runs. Skipper David Warner once again played a lone hand for the Daredevils but he had scant support from his teammates.
Earlier, CSK appeared to be losing their way after a positive start before Dhoni, yet again, took charge after promoting himself to No. 4. Already assured of a playoffs spot, CSK are eyeing a top-two finish that will allow them a second shot at the final, and it was to lift their net run rate that the hosts uncharacteristically opted to bat first.
Dhoni's fifty came off 30 deliveries with two fours and four sixes. Only, this time it wasn't brutal hitting that the Indian captain is so very capable of, but a calculated assault that took the wind out of Daredevils's attack.
Michael Hussey (26) and Murali Vijay (31) put on 61 for the opening wicket to set the platform, but Vijay's run out set off a mini collapse with the side also losing Hussey and Suresh Raina for the addition of just 12 runs.
Dhoni, however, had other plans. He quickly assessed the conditions, and smacked left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan for a six as CSK rolled to 100-3 in 14 overs. Thereafter, Dhoni was lord of all he surveyed. He lashed Ashish Nehra for a six and then slapped him for a boundary with impunity in the 16th over as he took his fourth-wicket stand with Ravindra Jadeja to 57. Jadeja fell, bowled by Umesh, after chipping in with 24.
Dhoni brought up his fifty with a six and a boundary off Nehra in the 19th over, and although Umesh bowled a tight last over, Dhoni had helped the team put on 59 in the last five overs.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings have won the toss and they bat first.
Chennai have made at least one change, Albie Morkel comes in for Chris Morris.
Delhi have made three changes. Roelof van der Merwe and Nehra are in
Teams
Chennai Super Kings: Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, MS Dhoni (captain & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Mohit Mahipal Sharma
Delhi Daredevils: David Warner (captain), Virender Sehwag, Unmukt Chand, Ben Rohrer, Johan Botha, Kedar Jadhav (wk), Irfan Pathan, Roelof van der Merwe, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav, Ashish Nehra
Brief scores
Chennai Super Kings 168 for 4 (Dhoni 58*)
Delhi Daredevils 135 for 9 (Warner 44, Morkel 3-32)
Result Chennai Super Kings won by 33 runs
Points Chennai Super Kings 2, Delhi Daredevils 0
MOM MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)