Steyn stars in Chargers win

Hyderbad - Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra struck vital blows as Deccan Chargers completed a five-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Friday.

Steyn grabbed 2-16 and Mishra took 2-20 as Deccan Chargers restricted Rajasthan to 126-8 after the visiting side elected to bat at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. Akshath Reddy then top scored with 42 as Deccan reached 128-5 in 18.4 overs.

The defeat knocked Rajasthan out of contention for a berth in the playoffs with seven wins and eight losses from 15 games. Deccan, which was led by Australian Cameron White after regular captain Kumar Sangakkara was dropped due to lack of form, remains at the bottom of the table with three wins, 11 losses and one no-result from 15.

"I enjoyed the season a lot but it would have been better had we won more," Steyn said. "I don't want to discuss too many of my plans as my job is to run in, bowl fast and strike early. I've been used in different situations and have got to do the job assigned."

It was an unimpressive display by Rajasthan despite some poor fielding by Deccan.

Dravid's 36-ball knock, which included five fours, barely helped the team stay afloat as it seemed to slide after in-form opener Ajinkya Rahane was caught in the slips off a fine outswinger from Dale Steyn.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Amit Mishra impressing in his two dismissals when he bowled a fine leg-spin delivery to bowl Shane Watson and then Stuart Binny with a googly.

Steyn came back to dismiss Johan Botha while Veer Pratap Singh accounted for Ashok Menaria and Sreevats Goswami.

Owais Shah chipped in with 28 and Menaria made 20 but no batsman managed to push on for a considerable score.

Deccan was always in control after openers Reddy and Shikhar Dhawan (26) established a 63-run partnership for the opening wicket. With Jean-Paul Duminy contributing 24 batting at No. 3, the home side did not go off course.

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Scores:

Deccan Chargers 128-5 in 18.4 overs (Akshath Reddy 42, Shikhar Dhawan 26; Sidharth Trivedi 2-20) def. Rajasthan Royals 126-8 (Rahul Dravid 39, Owais Shah 28; Dale Steyn 2-16, Amit Mishra 2-20, Veer Pratap Singh 2-31).