CSK beat Delhi Capitals by 4 wickets in the final over.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered their ninth IPL final by defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by four wickets with two balls to spare in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
CSK captain MS Dhoni called correctly at the toss and asked DC to bat first keeping the dew factor in mind and his own team's unbeaten record while chasing in the UAE-leg of the tournament.
DC put up a fine score of 172/5 with Prithvi Shaw scoring 60 and Rishabh Pant making an unbeaten 51. Shimron Hetmyer also contributed with 37 in 24 balls to help the side finish well.
CSK lost Faf du Plessis in the first over but Ruturaj Gaikwad (70) and Robin Uthappa (63) almost sealed the game for the team before wickets fell in a heap to give some concern to the team's supporters.
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With 24 needed in 11 balls, MS Dhoni took it upon himself to finish the game despite not having a great season with the bat. But tonight there was no stopping the great finisher as he smashed 18* off six balls to seal the game and a berth for CSK in the final.
After finishing seventh in the last season, not many backed CSK to turn it around so soon but you can never write off a champion team and captain as MS Dhoni-led 'daddies army' revived themselves to qualify for another IPL final.
The emotional finish at the end with Dhoni scoring the winning runs left the fans with moist eyes and two young fans were in particular spotted sobbing by the cameraman.
It seems even Dhoni saw them on the big screen as he came up with a sweet gesture of throwing a ball, perhaps signed by him, towards the kids who were seen jumping in joy after receiving a special gift from 'Thala' Dhoni.
CSK will now face one of Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders or Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final on October 15 in Dubai. Dhoni would love to lead the team to their fourth title.