Blackcaps batter Devon Conway's half-century for Chennai Super Kings was in vain after the side lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 13 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Pune.
Winning the toss and fielding first, Chennai were made to rue their decision as Bangalore racked up an impressive 173/8 from their 20 overs.
Uncapped India batter Mahipal Lomror top scored for the Royal Challengers with 42 from 27 balls, after a 62-run opening stand between former India skipper Virat Kohli (30) and ex-South Africa captain Faf du Plessis (38).
In response, Conway added 54 for the opening stand of Chennai's chase, combining with India's Ruturaj Gaikwad (28).
But once Gaikwad fell, Chennai's chase stumbled, going from 54/0 to 75/3. Conway pressed on to record a half-century from 33 balls - his second 50 in as many innings after an unbeaten 85 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday.
Facing an increasing required run rate, Conway perished looking to up his scoring, caught at deep backward square leg off the bowling of Sri Lanka's Warindu Hasaranga for 56 from 37 balls.
And once the Kiwi batter fell, so too did any chances of a Super Kings win, with the next best score coming in the shape of a 27-ball 34 to England's Moeen Ali.
Regular wickets cost Chennai dearly, as the IPL's reigning champions could only reply with 160/8, 14 runs short of their target of 174 runs.
In three appearances so far this season, Conway has scored 144 runs at an average of 77, after being sold for just over NZ $200,000 at this year's auction.
Defeat leaves Chennai's hopes of a top-four finish hanging by a thread, sitting second from bottom on the IPL ladder with just three wins and six points from their first 10 matches of the season.
Victory for Bangalore moves them into the IPL's top four, with six wins from their first 11 games, as the Royal Challengers hunt their maiden title.
