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MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by a mammoth 77-run margin in their last league game of IPL 2023 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi and became the second team after Gujarat Titans to qualify for the playoffs.
The four-time IPL champions thus booked the playoffs berth for the twelfth time in the 14 seasons they have been part of the marquee domestic T20 competition. This is the most a team has finished in the top four and a good comeback for the side after finishing in the bottom half of the table last year.
CSK thrash DC in a must-win game
Having lost their previous home game against Kolkata Knight Riders, CSK faced Delhi Capitals in a must-win game and the Yellow Brigade posted a massive 223 runs for the loss of three wickets after electing to bat first.
Senior New Zealand batter Devon Conway (87 off 52) and young India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad (79 off 50) gave CSK a superb start with their opening stand of 141 in 14.3 overs. DC vs CSK IPL 2023: Full List of Award Winners, Man of The Match, Post-Match Presentation, Stats and Records
Later, Shivam Dube (22 off 9) and Ravindra Jadeja (20* off 7) played brilliant cameos to take their team to a big total which was improbable for Delhi Capitals to chase down.
In response, Delhi Capitals could only muster 146 runs for the loss of nine wickets and their campaign in the competition ended on a disappointing note. Captain David Warner (86 off 58) was the lone warrior from DC's side as he hardly got any support from the other end.
Apart from Warner, only two batters i.e. Yash Dhull (13 off 15) and Axar Patel (15 off 8) could touch the double figures for Delhi. While seven batters were dismissed in single digits in their final match of the campaign.
After winning the game and qualifying for the playoffs, the CSK skipper credited the team management for the team's consistent show in the tournament and said backing the players is very important.
"There is no recipe for success, you try and pick the best players and give them the best slot to perform. And groom them in the areas where they are not strong, somebody has to sacrifice their slot for the team. Credit to the management as well, they always back us.
"But the players are most important, without the players we can't do anything. I think death bowling, and confidence is very important," Dhoni said.
"I think we need to figure out and pick players who are team first - not bothered about individual performance and perform the best at knockout stages. It is difficult to judge from the outside, we try and adjust to the players and environment as well. Even if they come 10%, we can adjust 50% to fit them better into the team," the former India cricketer added further.
Home Away From Home Experience For CSK
Despite playing an away game, it felt like CSK were playing at their home as crowds came out in large numbers dressed in yellow to cheer for their favourite MS Dhoni and his band. The fans braved the scorching heat of the hot Summer afternoon and cheered for Dhoni and his Yellow Army.
Dhoni, who is believed to be playing his last match here, was welcomed by a sea of yellow as fans showed support for the former India captain in the day game. Walking towards the Feroz Shah Kotla, all one could see was yellow.
Vendors were selling CSK jerseys and flags on the streets while fans were getting their faces painted yellow. At the stadium, supporters of the World Cup-winning skipper were dressed in the yellow CSK jerseys, waving CSK flags and chanting 'Dhoni Dhoni' when Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway came out to bat. Even the DJ ditched DC's 'Roar Macha' for the CSK song.
One struggled to find the handful of fans dressed in blue -- the home team's colour. At one point, it looked like Dhoni won't be wielding the bat, but the fans went berserk when he walked in at number four to bat in the 18th over.
Although the wicketkeeper-batter didn't play the big shots, the crowd was just happy seeing him in the middle. Similar scenes were seen across various venues thorough out the season, including at the Eden Gardens, as it is believed to be Dhoni's last IPL.
With the big win, CSK can finish as the second team in the points table and will get to play Qualifier 1, scheduled on May 23 at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chepauk happens to be their home ground and they'll be looking to make the most of the home conditions to qualify for the final.
