IPL 2022: CSK vs DC Highlights: Conway's 87, bowlers help Super Kings crush Delhi Capitals by 91 runs

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Navi Mumbai, May 8: Chennai Super Kings' opener Devon Conway smashed his third consecutive fifty before their bowlers joined the party to help their team clinch a massive 91-run victory over Delhi Capitals here on Sunday (May 8).

Chasing a massive 209, Delhi Capitals' batting failed big time as they were bundled out for 117 in 17.4 overs. No DC batter could rise to the occasion in the big run chase as Mitchell Marsh's 25 was the highest. David Warner (19), Rishabh Pant (21) and Shardul Thakur (24) were the only batters who posted more than 10 runs.

Moeen (3/13 in 4 overs) was the wrecker in chief for CSK with the ball and the English off-spinner picked up the wickets of Mitchell Marsh (25 off 20 balls) and skipper Rishabh Pant (21 off 11 balls) in quick succession to finish the contest. Mukesh Choudhary (2/22 in 4 overs), Simarjeet Singh (2/27 in 4 overs) and Dwayne Bravo (2/24 in 2.3 overs) then completed the formalities.

With this win, CSK have jumped to eighth in the points table with eight points in 11 games.

Earlier in the day, continuing his sublime form in the ongoing IPL 2022, Conway smashed his third consecutive fifty as CSK posted an imposing 208 for 6 against Delhi Capitals here on Sunday (May 8).

Conway scored 87 off 49 balls with seven fours and five sixes and also added 110 for the opening wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad (41 off 33 balls) to lay the foundation for a big score.

Conway added another 59 runs for the second wicket with Shivam Dube (32 off 19 balls) before MS Dhoni (21 no off 8 balls) added insult to DC's injuries at the fag end. The South Africa-born New Zealander has been one of the key players for an ageing CSK side in transition and has responded nicely to captain Dhoni's call of being a like-for-like replacement of Faf du Plessis.

What makes Conway a standout performer among most overseas recruits is his mastery over spinners which is an absolute must to be a consistent success in IPL. Whether CSK make it to the play-off this time or not, Conway in all likelihood will be serving the franchise for the next five years at least.

Along with Gaikwad, Conway showed how aesthetically pleasing stroke-play can destroy the confidence of rival bowlers. There weren't any lap-scoops, switch hits, or reverse flicks but shots within the 'V' with immaculate use of feet while negotiating the spinners. It did help that the DY Patil Stadium track resembled a highway due to its flat nature.

Kuldeep Yadav's (3-0-43-0) length was completely in disarray as Conway repeatedly came down the ground to loft the deliveries with disdain. If the delivery was flighted, Conway would come down the track and hit it down the ground or wide of long-on.

If the bowler kept it flat, he would thump it through the covers and if it was fast and full, he would play the conventional sweep shot over the deep square leg. The shot that stood out was a cover drive which was more like a slap with minimal back-lift. Conway's third consecutive fifty came off 27 balls as poor Kuldeep had no clue as to what had hit him.

His deliveries were like cannon fodder as he was hit for four fours and two sixes in his first spell. Conway repeated his 'dancing down the track' act in Kuldeep's second spell with another lofted six. It didn't help matters that Antich Nortje (4-0-42-3) and Shardul Thakur (3-0-38-0) bowled short during their first spell with Khaleel Ahmed (2/28 in 4 overs) being the only saving grace.

Conway's brutal yet classical assault gave Gaikwad time to gather his composure and play his own game at the other end as CSK reached 100 off 10 overs. Finally, Gaikwad (41 off 33 balls) was dismissed when DC stuck to their gameplan and the opener was left in a tangle trying to tackle a 152 kmph bouncer hurled by Nortje.

(With PTI inputs)