Sports Correspondent, 10th April 2021-
Delhi Capitals showed why they are one of the strongest contenders to lift VIVO IPL 2021 with an authoritative win over Chennai Super Kings. With strong performances from Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Show, DC never looked in any trouble chasing an above-average target of 188 set by CSK. Rishabh Pant ended the chase with a poetic 4 off Shardul Thakur.
Rishabh Pant started his innings as the Captain of the Delhi Capitals by winning the toss against Chennai Super Kings and putting them in to bat. In a sweltering Wankhade, Chennai started off jerkily losing both their openers, Gaikwad and du Plessis in quick succession. While Gaikwad departed for 5, du Plessis failed to get off the mark.
It was up to Mr. CSK, Raina to steady the ship. The dependable left-hander scored a brilliant 54, with 4 sixes and 3 fours. Raina was ably supported by Moeen Ali who contributed a well-made 36 off 24 balls. Ambati Rayudu, Sam Curran, and Jadeja all contributed with scores of 23, 34, and 26 respectively.
Captain Cool MS Dhoni failed to trouble the scores departing in just two balls getting clean bowled by the youngster Avesh Khan. CSK ended their 20 overs with a respectable 188.
The Delhi openers, Dhawan, and Shaw came out all guns blazing. Nobody from Shardul Thakur to Deepak Chahar was spared. Both put up a century partnership in the 10th over. Shaw finally departed for a stunning masterclass after scoring 72 off 38 balls. His innings containing no less than 3 sixes and 9 fours.
That’s that from Match 2 of #VIVOIPL 2021@DelhiCapitals win by 7 wickets 👌👌
Scorecard – https://t.co/jtX8TWxySo #CSKvDC pic.twitter.com/pkFHrX2z0o
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2021
Chennai looked a lackluster side when fielding, with Dhoni struggling for answers to counter the onslaught of the Delhi openers. None of the CSK bowlers seemed to have an answer to Dhawan or Shaw. Imran Tahir’s omission from the season will be most likely be discussed in heated debates.
Dhawan showed why he is still one of the best openers in the world when it comes to limited-overs cricket. Plonking the white ball to all corners of the ground, he departed after scoring a world-class 85 off 54 balls.
Delhi has set the tone for the tournament. With Steve Smith still in the dugout, this team is going to give all the other ones some major nightmares in the days to come.
