Shane Watson has produced a man-of-the-match display to help steer the Chennai Super Kings to a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.

The veteran Australian struck 44 off 26 balls in a dazzling 38-minute knock to lay the foundations of a successful Super Kings run chase as the defending champions bagged their second win from two in this year's competition.

Watson also became embroiled in a heated but entertaining war-of-words with Delhi pacemen Ishant Sharma and Kagiso Rabada, who struggled to contain the 37-year-old Queenslander.

Shikhar Dhawan had earlier been Delhi's mainstay, with a slowly-built 51 from 47 balls after they opted to bat first, with only Prithvi Shaw - caught by Watson for 24 - and Rishabh Pant (25) adding worthwhile contributions as the hosts posted 6-147 off their 20 overs.

Dwayne Bravo, who gave away 17 runs in his first over, then turned in an impressive spell with the ball to take 3-33 and help restrict Delhi's innings.

Opener Watson led the Chennai charge in reply at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, striking four fours and three sixes as he kept his side moving along well ahead of the required run rate.

Suresh Raina (30) and Kedar Jadhav (27) also chipped in before MS Dhoni's unbeaten 32, including two fours and a six, took the visitors over the line on 4-150.