Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locked horns in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in Dubai on Sunday (October 10).
Invited to bat first, DC posted a highly challenging total of 172/5 in 20 overs on the back of half-centuries from Prithvi Shaw (60 off 34 balls) and skipper Rishabh Pant (51* off 35 balls). Shimron Hetmyer also played a handy cameo of 24-ball 37.
For CSK, Josh Hazlewood was the stand-out bowler, claiming two wickets by conceding 29 runs in his four overs.
In reply, Chennai lost Faf du Plessis (1) cheaply but the duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa added 110 runs for the second wicket to put the team in a strong position.
Just when Super Kings were cruising in the chase, Uthappa got out for 44-ball 63 and his dismissal triggered a little collapse. Promoted to No. 4, Shardul Thakur scored a golden duck while Ambati Rayudu made only 1 as CSK slipped to 119/4.
Meanwhile, Gaikwad continued his brilliance and smashed 70 off 50 balls before getting out. His wicket led to MS Dhoni’s arrival in the middle and the CSK captain turned back the clock to take his team home.
Chennai needed 23 runs off 11 balls when Dhoni came to the crease and he slammed 18 not out off just 6 balls (3 fours and 1 six) to overhaul the target with four wickets in hand and two deliveries to spare. While Dhoni smoked Avesh Khan for a six in the penultimate over, he hit Tom Curran for three fours in the final over to seal the deal.
Cricket experts on Twitter were in awe of CSK’s chase, which saw the might of Dhoni’s finishing abilities after a long time.
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