South African seamer Chris Morris started what Australian batsman Shane Watson all but completed, as the Rajasthan Royals screamed to a convincing eight-wicket triumph over the Chennai Super Kings in Sunday’s key Indian Premier League fixture at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera in Ahmedabad.

Morris gathered economical figures of one for 19 in four tight overs – and held a great catch to remove fellow South African Faf du Plessis – in an insufficient Chennai total of 156 for four.

Du Plessis scored a mere single, before perishing to spinner Ankit Sharma. Right-armer Morris, meanwhile, cherished the important dismissal of the dangerous Suresh Raina.

The Super Kings’ bowling attack, sans the services of Proteas fast bowler Kyle Abbott, struggled to contain a rampant Watson – and opening partner Ajinkya Rahane.

The Australian and Indian added 144 inside 17 overs for the first wicket, striking a dozen fours and six handsome sixes. Watson scored 73 from 47 deliveries to Rahane’s 76 not out from 55, as victory arrived with all of 10 balls to spare.

Rahane, who is the leading run-scorer in the 2015, was named Man of the Match. The result increased Rajasthan’s lead in the eight-team standings to 10 points. Second- and third-placed Chennai and Kolkata have six and four respectively.