Published: May 02, 2019, 09:45 AM (IST)
Edited: May 02, 2019, 09:45 AM (IST)
Match 50 of the Indian Premier League saw a clash between table-toppers Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.
Despite a promising start, DC gave away the control to CSK and were handed a thumping defeat. Below are the phases from the encounter that proved decisive.
Raina counter-attacks
DC opted to field and tightened the screws on their opponents straightaway. The new-ball pair of Trent Boult and Jagadeesha Suchith kept CSK openers Suresh Raina and Shane Watson on a leash. The home team crawled to 7/1 in four overs. Watson, in his bid to break the shackles holed out to midwicket off Suchith. Faf du Plessis struck the first boundary of the night in the fifth over before Raina changed the mood with back-to-back boundaries in the final Powerplay over. However, CSK managed 27/1 in six overs – the third lowest score during the phase this IPL season. With Faf keeping a steady head, Raina counter-attacked. There were quiet overs in between which were nullified by scoring boundaries in the next. The pair added 83 in 66 deliveries for the second wicket, setting a strong base. Raina took a shine to Suchith whom he belted for two boundaries – the second of which raised his half-century and a six off successive deliveries before getting out for a 37-ball 59.
Dhoni blazes
Despite Raina’s half-century, CSK were 102/3 in 15 overs. Ravindra Jadeja set the ball rolling for the late flourish with a six and four off consecutive deliveries from Axar Patel in the 16th over. MS Dhoni faced seven deliveries before finding the gap for his first boundary. He took advantage of sloppy DC bowling and singled out the pacers as the ones to attack. A beamer from Chris Morris was put away over short fine leg region for six before the carnage in the final over, bowled by Boult. The left-arm pacer started well, conceding just a couple off his first two deliveries. Then Dhoni dug out a yorker, hammering it straight down the ground for a four. He finished the innings with sixes off the final two deliveries, remaining unbeaten on 44 off 22, powering CSK to a challenging total.
Yet another DC collapse
Unlike CSK’s Powerplay struggles, DC were off to a breezing start despite losing two wickets. At 59/2 in six overs, the visitors were in a healthy position. Rishabh Pant had the opportunity to build his innings and go big. He failed once again, with his lack of temperament on full display. After hitting Imran Tahir for a four off a full length delivery, he tried the same shot, off a length ball only, not reaching the pitch of the ball and was out on 5. His dismissal opened the floodgates as the spin duo of Tahir and Jadeja exploited the pitch to the fullest. Between them, they took 7 wickets while conceding just 21 runs. DC lost eight wickets for the addition of just 40 runs to be bowled out for 99. Not the first time this season they gave away a position of control.
Dhoni’s lightning glovework
After dazzling with the bat, Dhoni inflicted more damage on DC’s hopes with his smart glovework. He effected two stumpings in the space of three deliveries, both off Jadeja, both in a flash. The first time it was Morris. The big one though was that of DC captain Shreyas Iyer, the best of Dhoni by a long margin this season. Iyer had made 44 with four fours and a six when he lifted his leg just a cm above the ground after being beaten. Dhoni had his window in which he took off the bails to send back Iyer.
