<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>New Zealand's Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed half-centuries to fire Chennai Super Kings into the IPL play-offs with a thumping 77-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The left-handed Conway (87) and Gaikwad (79) put on a blazing opening stand of 141 to steer Chennai to a mammoth 223-3 after electing to bat first in Delhi.</div><div><br></div><div>Skipper David Warner hit a valiant 86 but Chennai kept down Delhi, who are coached by Ricky Ponting, to 146-9 and book their spot in the top four.</div><div><br></div><div>They join holders and table-toppers Gujarat Titans, who are assured of a top-two finish.</div><div><br></div><div>Four-time winners Chennai have finished the group stage with eight wins and can stay as the second-ranked team in the table, depending on the day's second result between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants.</div><div><br></div><div>The season remains special for Chennai skipper M.S. Dhoni, who is believed to be playing his last season and has attracted huge crowds wearing the teams' yellow as a tribute to the legendary cricketer.</div><div><br></div><div>Dhoni, 41, though has kept the fans guessing and still not clarified on his swansong.</div><div><br></div><div>Delhi, who were the first team to get eliminated from the play-off race, bowed out with nine losses and five wins.</div><div><br></div><div>Batsmen set up victory for Chennai after Gaikwad and Conway, in his 52-ball blitz, got cracking on the opposition bowlers with fours and sixes.</div><div><br></div><div>Chetan Sakariya sent back Gaikwad, who hit seven sixes in his 50-ball knock, but Conway kept up the charge in another attacking partnership of 54 with Shivam Dube, who hit 22.</div><div><br></div><div>Dube's wicket raised the noise as Dhoni walked in with thunderous applause and stood unbeaten with Ravindra Jadeja, who hit a seven-ball 20.</div><div><br></div><div>Delhi were never in the chase as Warner played a lone hand in his attempt to drive the teams' reply in his 58-ball knock but got little support from the other end.</div><div><br></div><div>Pace spearhead Deepak Chahar took three wickets while Sri Lankan duo of Matheesha Pathirana (fast bowler) and Maheesh Theekshana (off-spinner) took two each. According to AFP reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>