After his team’s 5-wicket defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals (DC), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni confirmed that Dwayne Bravo was not fit to bowl the final over.
Chasing 180 to win, DC required 17 off the final over, with two left-handers Shikhar Dhawan and Akshar Patel in the centre.
Bravo had an over left but he had gone off the field due to an injury and thus Dhoni went with Ravindra Jadeja, who was whacked for three sixes by Akshar as Delhi overhauled the target with one ball to spare.
"Bravo was not fit, he went out and was not able to really come back," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "The options were either Karn or Jaddu and I went with Jaddu."
Dhoni also rued CSK's poor fielding, with centurion Shikhar Dhawan being dropped thrice. The southpaw eventually finished with 101 not out off 58 balls to see his team over the line.
"Shikhar's wicket was important. We dropped him quite a few times," he said. "If he's batting, he'll keep taking chances and keep the score moving, and maintain a good strike rate. I felt his wicket was crucial.
Dhoni also said there was a little bit of dew on the ground in the second half, which made life difficult for the bowlers.
"There was difference between the first and second innings. The wicket behaved slightly better in the second, it came on a bit better. Batting was easier in the second innings but we can't take credit away from Shikhar. He batted really well and was supported well by the others.
"There was just enough dew, not a lot, just enough to make it easier in the second innings and create a difference from the first."
"This game will give Sam Curran a lot of confidence when it comes to executing outside off yorkers. Sam's last over, the way he bowled - he needs to be convinced that he can execute outside off yorkers that is something most of the coaching staff want the bowlers to bowl. If you are not comfortable doing it, you can't really push in the games. I feel this game will give him a lot of confidence when it comes to executing outside off yorkers, I feel that will be one delivery that is slightly difficult to hit."
