New Delhi, March 26: Chennai Super Kings registered yet another convincing win as they defeated Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets in their second league game of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 here on Tuesday (March 26).
Chasing a respectable target of 148 in the stipulated 120 balls, CSK took their time but overhauled it without much trouble, though some fine bowling in the death overs helped the opposition test the defending champions on a tricky Feroz Shah Kotla track.
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Chennai got off to a decent start, thanks to a brilliant knock of 26-ball 44 by Shane Watson. Team's second most dependable batsman Suresh Raina (30) scored well. Along with Watson, Raina put a partnership of 51 runs which laid the foundation for them in the run chase. It was their aggressive batting that ensured Chennai could never feel the pressure of in the scoreboard.
Ladies and gentlemen! That was our 150th outing in IPL and what a team effort to get over the line with a win! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #DCvCSK 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/IeJ1aycHkF
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 26, 2019
Amit Mishra (35-2) and Axar Patel (16-0) were the standout bowlers for Delhi but some poor bowling changes and fielding errors cost the hosts. There were moments when Chennai could have been pushed on the back foot but DC captain Shreyas Iyer's lack of experience cost them dearly.
Chennai skipper MS Dhoni (32* off 35) and Kedar Jadhav (27 off 34) batted with caution and ensured their team doesn't falter in the run chase. With just 2 required from the final six deliveries, Jadhav was dismissed by Rabada on the first ball of the over. But seasoned campaigner Dwayne Bravo hit the winning runs for his team to give Chennai second win in a row.
Chennai have won 44 matches batting second in the IPL, 25 of those wins have come in the 20th over.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan scored a painstaking half-century in Delhi Capitals' sub-par total on a lifeless Kotla track. Chennai bowlers did exceedingly well as CSK bowlers kept things tight for Delhi batsmen.
Dwayne Bravo gave Delhi Capitals' major blows as he got the wickets of Rishabh Pant (25), Colin Ingram (2), and Shikhar Dhawan (51).
Here is how the match between DC and CSK transpired:
Shane Watson, Man of the Match: It was a little better than Chennai (Chepauk track), the wicket (laughs). It was a bit slow, so it was nice to get a few out of the middle. I don't think I will bowl much. I got a calf injury leading up to the Big Bash. So I'm just trying to fit enough for my batting. The PSL was a lot of fun, and great to be able to reconnect with the Chennai guys again so it's great to be here again.
MS Dhoni, CSK skipper: The wicket turned more than expected in the first innings. In the second innings there was enough dew to make it slightly better for the batsmen. The bowlers did a very good job to restrict them to 150. The batsmen, we like a bit of pace, and like it to come onto the bat. We look a slightly better side when that happens. We were unsure about the Chennai wicket whether it will spin or be on the slower side. Losing Ngidi at the start was a big blow, because he was the quickest, but other than that we are well-covered in all the areas. I don't think we will be a very good fielding side and that is something we have to accept, but we can certainly be a safe fielding side - we need to work on that. As a captain, you don't want the XI to push too hard and get injured during the course of the tournament. We will be bleeding a few runs but if they can use their experience with bat and ball, it will work out for us. We haven't seen a lot of death (overs) in the last couple of games and the fast bowlers, so plenty of areas to work on, but still a good victory for us.
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi captain: For the new batsman, pitch was really tough. I usually don't have trouble starting against spinners but today it was turning and holding up. Our best batter Rishabh Pant also found it tough. The wicket was slow and that's why I decided to bat first. We were 10-15 runs short. I wouldn't blame the batting. We could have restricted them in the powerplay. There are a lot of games remaining and this is just the beginning. Lots of positive to take out from this match.
Shane Watson gets the man of the match for his quickfire knock of 44 off 26 balls.
Dwayne Bravo deserved to hit the winning runs.
Only fitting that Bravo should hit the winning shot, albeit after some anxious moments. He was the one to trigger DC collapse too. Superb win for CSK. ‘Dad’s Army’ marches on!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 26, 2019
It's all over! Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets in a match that went down the wire. Bravo hits the winning runs.
They might have taken it to the end but #CSK were always in control. #DC didn't get the wickets they needed. So 2 in 2 for CSK.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 26, 2019
Out! Jadhav (27) departs on the first ball of Kagiso Rabada's over. Are we going to witness any twist in the tale in this game?
CSK - 146/3 after 19 overs. 2 required from the final 6 balls. Kagiso Rabada to bowl the final over.
SIX! MS Dhoni hits Amit Mishra over his head for a maximum and crowd erupts into huge cheer
11 came from that over bowled by Keemo Paul. CSK need 11 more from 12 balls.
Four! MS Dhoni hits Keemo Paul in the gap towards covers and that would have released a lot of pressure.
0,0,0,0,0,1! Superb over from Axar Patel. Pressure mounting on the batting side??? 22 needed from 18 balls.
After 16 overs, CSK are 125/3. 23 needed from 24 balls. Dhoni - 15* off 21. Jadhav - 24* off 29.
2 runs came from that over bowled by Axar Patel as he bowls 4 dot balls. Only 15 runs have been scored in the last 24 balls. CSK 28 from 30 deliveries. Kagiso Rabada is going to be key for Delhi Capitals.
CSK are 118/3 after 14 overs. 30 needed from 36 deliveries.
Dropped! It was hit hard by Kedar Jadhav and Dhawan failed to catch it. Jadhav hasn't looked in his zone in this innings so far.
Tidy over from Axar Patel just 4 came from it. Dhoni and Kedar are spending some time into the middle. CSK - 112/3 after 13 overs.
CSK - 105/3 after 11 overs.
Four! MS Dhoni gets off the mark with a boundary towards the third man. The ball went over the slip cordon and MSD could have been first ball duck. Had it been a bit fine and low, Shreyas Iyer would have pouched it. It brought back the memories of his dismissal off Zampa at Ranchi, earlier this year.
Wicket! Amit Mishra strikes again and this time it is Suresh Raina's wicket. Raina departs for 30 as Pant takes a sharp catch. CSK - 98/3 after 10.2 overs.
Four! Kedar Jadhav cuts Tewatia fine and the ball races towards third man region for a boundary.
SIX!! Suresh Raina hits Rahul Tewatia over long-on region for a maximum.
4 runs conceded by Amit Mishra from his second over. CSK - 85/2 after 9 overs.
Birthday boy Kedar Jadhav walks into the middle.
Wicket! Quick stumping by Rishabh Pant and quickfire knock of Shane Watson comes to an end. He has to depart for 44. Amit Mishra gets the big man. CSK - 72/1 in 6.4 overs.
Watson had hammered two big sixes in that over off Mishra but the leg-spinner had the last laugh. 51-run partnership comes to an end.
Superb start for CSK in the run chase as they reach 58/1 after 6 overs.
Four! A boundary from Raina towards fine leg region off Rabada.
Four, Four, Four! Suresh Raina hits three consecutive boundaries in that over bowled by Ishant Sharma and brings up 50 for his team. CSK - 51/1 after 6 overs.
4&6! Watson hits a boundary and a maximum and ends the first over bowled by Rabada in style. CSK - 33/1 after 4 overs.
Kagiso Rabada is bowling his first over and he's generating a lot of pace.