An emphatic 75-run victory over the Mumbai Champs has ensured a semifinal berth for Chennai Superstars in the Indian Cricket League.

At the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula on Sunday night, Chennai scored this season’s first total in excess of 200 and then restricted Mumbai to 130 for 5.

Sensational batting by G. Vignesh, with a knock of 88 runs, reduced it to a one-sided contest, after Chennai Superstars opted to bat. His ability to play the big shots left Mumbai Champs bowlers in a quandary, and there was little they could do arrest Vignesh’s attacking instincts.

However, the propulsion towards 200 came from their captain Stuart Law who smashed 29 off 11 balls with three sixes. He took 24 runs off the final over which was bowled by Michael Kasprowicz.

The target of 206, with an asking-rate of more that ten an over was too much for Mumbai to achieve. Even though Nathan Astle, the attacking Kiwi opener, offered some resistance, it made no difference to the outcome of the match. Astle remained unbeaten on 68 of 61 balls, with three fours and four sixes.

The victory carried the tournament leaders Chennai Superstars’ points tally to ten from six matches, and placed the team at the top of the table. The dismal run of the bottom-placed Mumbai Champs left the team with a mere two points and just one match in hand.