Terming Delhi Capitals’ (DC) defeat in the IPL 2021 Qualifier 1 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a "tough loss to digest”, opening batter Prithvi Shaw expects his team to pull off something special in Qualifier 2 on Wednesday (October 13).
DC suffered a heartbreaking four-wicket defeat at the hands of CSK in Dubai on Sunday (October 10). Invited to bat first, the Capitals rode on half-centuries from Shaw (60 off 34 balls) and skipper Rishabh Pant (51* off 35 balls) to post 172/5 in 20 overs, which CSK chased down with two balls to spare.
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"At the moment, we have to back each other. The entire team takes the responsibility for our performance, whether we win or lose. We'll try and come back stronger in the next match. It's a tough loss to digest for the team," said Shaw in the Delhi Capitals release.
"However, we have one more match through which we can qualify for the Final and I believe in each and everyone in the team. They are all great players -- talent and skill-wise. I really believe that we can do something special in the next match and go through to the Final," he added.
Chasing 173 to win, CSK lost Faf du Plessis (1) cheaply but the duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad (70 off 50 balls) and Robin Uthappa (63 off 44 balls) added 110 runs for the second wicket to put the team in a strong position before MS Dhoni (18* off 6 balls) produced a stunning cameo to overhaul the target.
Commenting on CSK captain’s blistering knock in the death overs, Shaw said, "MS Dhoni is something different, everyone knows that. We have seen him finish games so many times and it's nothing new for him or for us to see him do that. He's definitely a dangerous player whenever he bats. I feel very lucky to be in this atmosphere and get a chance to watch him as a batsman and a leader. He took the game away from us."
Talking about his own innings, Shaw said he should have batted for a longer time.
"I am happy with my knock, but I feel I should have played a longer innings. This is a lesson for me. When I am in the same situation again, I'll try to bat for a longer time."
Delhi Capitals will square off with the winner of the Eliminator match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifier 2 for a berth in the IPL 2021 final.
