Deccan Chargers knock Kings XI Punjab out of IPL

Deccan Chargers thus spoiled the chances of Kings XI Punjab to reach the playoffs.

The top four teams Chennai Super Kings (18), Royal Challengers Bangalore (17), Kolkata Knight Riders (16) and Mumbai Indians (16) now qualify for the playoffs.

The last two league matches Sunday -- Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians -- will determine the positions.

Kings XI Punjab were relying on a good start from their attacking openers skipper Adam Gilchrist and Paul Valthaty (5) to chase down the total. Valthaty was dismissed by Dale Steyn with five runs on the board. Shaun Marsh, who has been in hot form off late, stroked three well-timed fours before falling to the guile of Jean Paul Duminy.

Gilchrist hung on, scoring 51 off 37 balls, but could not accelerate. It was all but over for the Punjab team when Gilchrist was caught by Deccan Chargers captain Cameron White at extra cover off Daniel Christian.u00a0

Mishra, who took a hat-trick in 2009 while playing for Delhi Daredevils, repeated the feat when he dismissed Ryan McLaren, Mandeep Sinha and Ryan Harris in the 16th over.u00a0

Earlier, Dhawan bludgeoned his way to his highest score in the IPL off 57 balls, striking 14 fours and one six.u00a0

Ravi Teja cashed in on three dropped chances to hit five fours and two sixes in his 41-ball knock.

The two added 131 runs in only 13.2 overs and it was the highest partnership for Chargers this season.u00a0

Teja and Dhawan set the tempo, scoring 58 runs off the first six overs.

Punjab bowlers initially bowled a tight line before Dhawan opened the floodgates in the fifth over with successive fours off Praveen Kumar. Teja soon joined the party and the two entertained the crowd.