Cricket-Sharma leads Chargers to 53-run win

KIMBERLEY, South Africa, May 11 (Reuters) - Rohit Sharma snared three wickets as the Deccan Chargers humbled the Rajasthan Royals by 53 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.

Off spinner Sharma returned figures of three for 12 off three overs as Rajasthan were bowled out for 113 with four balls of their innings remaining, chasing the Chargers' total of 166 for seven.

The teams traded places in the IPL standings with the Chargers moving up to third on 12 points, two points behind the leading Delhi Daredevils. Rajasthan are fourth with 11 points.

The Chargers' total was built around 47 runs off 32 balls from West Indian Dwayne Smith. The right hander provided the Chargers with a defendable total after they had been reduced to 83 for four in the 12th over.

Spinner Yusuf Pathan had the best bowling figures with three for 34 including the wicket of Smith, caught at a wide long-on.

In reply, after slipping to 43 for three, Rajasthan's innings looked to be back on track thanks to 44 runs off 39 balls from right-handed opener Swapnil Asnodkar.

However, on a good batting wicket, the defending champion Royals proceeded to lose seven wickets for 39 runs as they went down to their fifth defeat of the tournament.

Sharma received admirable support from veteran Sri Lankan left-arm swing bowler Chaminda Vaas who returned figures of two for 19 off four overs. (Reporting by Jason Humphries in Durban, editing by Rex Gowar.

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