Chennai Super Kings (CSK) registered a narrow eight-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Match 24 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday (April 17).
Defending the total of 226, CSK got the prized scalp of Virat Kohli (6) in the very first over while No. 3 batter Mahipal Lomror was dismissed for a duck as RCB were reduced to 15/2.
Amid the pressure situation, Faf du Plessis (62 off 33) and Glenn Maxwell (76 off 36) took the CSK attack to the cleaners, stitching a 126-run stand in just 61 balls. It was carnage from both ends as the hosts raced past 140 in just the 12th over, bringing the required rate under control.
However, the duo got out in quick succession as RCB eventually managed 218/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Speaking after the game, CSK skipper MS Dhoni said he was not thinking about the end result when Maxwell and Du Plessis were going all guns blazing in the chase.
"Whenever you score 220, the batsmen have to keep on hitting. It's a matter of few overs in the middle. If Faf and Maxi had continued, they'd have won by the 18th over, so you need to get engrossed with the process, know what is the bowling change, what can I do from which end, what is really happening, if something has really changed," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"I can see it better from close by, so I can know if there is deflection off the wicket for the spinners or quicks. I am always involved in what needs to be done. If I can provide bowlers a good field and give nice suggestions, that's a win for me," he added.
Earlier, CSK piled up 226/6 on the board with vital contributions from Devon Conway (83 off 45) and Shivam Dube (52 off 27).
Dhoni also showered rich praise on Dube, saying that the latter is one of the cleanest strikers of the cricket ball. The southpaw’s knock was studded with 2 fours and 5 sixes.
"Dube is a clean hitter, yes, he has an issue with the fast bowlers but is a tall guy with a different (longer) reach when compared to other batters. So the spinners have to adjust their lengths, and we had plans for him. But he was injured when he came for the camp. He needs to believe that he can score runs in the middle overs more than us because he has the talent and once you cross the ropes you're alone," the CSK captain said.
With this victory, CSK moved to the third spot on the IPL 2023 points table and they will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk on April 21.
