A whirlwind assault by Prithvi Shaw [72 off 38] and Shikhar Dhawan [85 off 54 balls] has helped Delhi Capitals overhaul Chennai Super Kings’ total of 188 and pick up a commanding seven-wicket win in Mumbai.
Chasing 189 to win, the Delhi Capitals got off to a blazing start as the duo of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan laid into Chennai Super Kings’ seam attack of Deepak Chahar, Sam Curran, and Shardul Thakur
Shaw’s strokeplay was absolutely imperious. The pocket-size dynamo drove, flicked, dabbed and short-arm jabbed with absolute disdain while Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand, picked off from where he had left last season.
The duo smashed 17 runs apiece from the 4th and 5th over bowled by Curran and Thakur to take Delhi Capitals to 0/58.
The Capitals racked up 65 runs in the powerplay- their fifth-highest unbeaten score in the six-over phase.
Moeen Ali nearly provided Chennai Super Kings their first breakthrough as Shaw mistimed a lofted drive over the cover region but Mitchell Santner, who ran from long-off couldn’t latch on to it.
Just 17 runs had come off 16 balls bowled by Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali before Prithvi Shaw once again broke loose as he ran down the wicket and smashed Jadeja for a six over long-on.
Shaw another got another reprieve as Gaikwad failed to grasp the catch at deep midwicket after the right-hander had mistimed the attempted pull. He made full use of the reprieve and smashed another four to bring up a 27-ball fifty.
Dhawan joined Shaw to complete his 50 in the next over as DC crossed the 100-run mark in just the 11th over. The duo celebrated their respective milestones with a couple of boundaries in the same over as the Capitals marched on.
It was that sort of a night where no matter what Chennai Super Kings threw at them, Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan gleefully accepted it and dispatched them in the stand. Shaw, especially looked like he was having a net session in the middle. Shaw once again showed his class in the 13th over when he nonchalantly pulled Moeen over deep backward square before he dished out a lofted cover-drive for a four.
But Shikhar Dhawan ensured that there was no late twist to the proceedings as he took apart the CSK bowling attack with absolute disdain and in the process, he crossed the milestone of 600 fours in the IPL. Dhawan was eventually dismissed by Shardul Thakur for a 54-ball 85 but by that time, he had ensured that Delhi Capitals were well on their way to a comfortable win, which they exactly what they got in the end.
A sustained onslaught-led by Suresh Raina propelled Chennai Super Kings to 7/188 against Delhi Capitals
Batting first, Chennai Super Kings got off to the worst possible start as the three-time winners lost both openers- Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis- within the first three overs.
While Du Plessis was trapped leg-before-wicket by Avesh Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who started off with a cracking cover-drive, nicked off against Chris Woakes.
The duo took the attack to Ashwin as they smashed the off-spinner for four boundaries in his first two overs. Ali continued to take the liking to Ashwin as he welcomed him with consecutive sixes over the off-spinner head as the Chennai Super Kings blazed past the 50-run mark.
But Ali’s wicket did not put any halt on Chennai Super Kings’ run-scoring as Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu continued their assault against Delhi Capitals spin duo of Ashwin and Amit Mishra.
Raina smoked a six off Ashwin in the same over and backed it up with two sixes off Amit Mishra while Ambati Rayudu did the same against Ashwin and the Marcus Stoinis.CSK blazed their way to 100 in the 13th over while Raina brought up his fifty with another six in just 32 deliveries.
The wicket led to a mini-collapse as Suresh Raina (54 off 36) got run-out thanks to a poor call by Ravindra Jadeja and then MS Dhoni chopped it onto his stumps for a second-ball duck in the same Avesh Khan over.
Jadeja smashed a boundary on the first ball of the 19th over before Sam Curran laid into his elder brother Tom as he smoked him for two consecutive sixes and a four to take 23 off the penultimate over as CSK eventually finished with 7/188 after 20.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
@DelhiCapitals looks like the team to watch out for this season! Phenomenal Job and showed where @ChennaiIPL is going to have a tough time this time in #IPL2021 ! Superb knocks by @PrithviShaw and @SDhawan25 both look they are set for this season! #CSKvDC
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) April 10, 2021
Comprehensive victory for @DelhiCapitals. Both the openers @PrithviShaw & @SDhawan25 played their A game 👏@IPL #IPL2021 #CSKvsDD
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) April 10, 2021
In the 10 matches which #CSK bowled first in IPL 2020 only once a team posted 190+ – RR, courtesy a 30-run over from Ngidi.#DelhiCapitals today has shown how to treat this bowling attack. The bowling has variety and options but lacks quality, especially without Tahir.#CSKvDC
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) April 10, 2021
Players to score 80+ runs and take 3 or 3+ catches in an inning.
🏏Butler- 89 runs & 3ct vs MI 2019
🏏AB de Villiers – 82 runs & 3ct vs Punjab 2019
🏏 𝗦 𝗗𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻- 𝟴𝟱 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 & 𝟯𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝗖𝗦𝗞 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆#CSKvDC— Partho Das (@Partho_das007) April 10, 2021
Congratulations @DelhiCapitals for winning first match against @ChennaiIPL by 7 wickets. It’s beginning of the tournament. We will get to see lots of good cricket in days to come. @BCCI @IPL
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) April 10, 2021
A new 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 for Gabbar 🏔️
First to 6⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Fours and each one of them filled with 100% swag 💙#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2021 #CSKvDC pic.twitter.com/DnX3ag4KFX
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 10, 2021
Another player who went from being the next big thing to a meme within about five minutes. Relentlessly fun to watch, forms a great contrast with Shikhar, and he's still only 21. What's not to love? https://t.co/lL4AFdLi6h
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) April 10, 2021
SHAWshank Redemption! #DCvsCSK #IPL2021 #PrithviShaw pic.twitter.com/SToLgILNkX
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 10, 2021
A good day for us. pic.twitter.com/2trokngAoi
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 10, 2021
He came, he put on a show, he left 💙
Prithvi is out for 72 off just 38 balls. What an innings 🙌#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2021 #CSKvDC pic.twitter.com/xQat45LA1b
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 10, 2021
After all that he has gone through in the last 18 months, Shaw deserves this luck. Make the most of it young man.
— Yash Mittal 🇮🇳 (@im_yash2307) April 10, 2021
Very impressed so far by Prithvi Shaw. He is such a natural stroke player but, other than one false shot, has chosen his deliveries to hit really well.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2021
Prithvi Shaw reaches his 7th IPL half-century. In 27 balls and with just 7% false shots, today's knock is his second quickest, and second most controlled. #IPL2021 #CSKvDC
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 10, 2021
Nice to Shaw looking comfortable in the middle. Very still at the crease, is one of the differences I have noticed from this IPL compared to the last one. It just goes to say how important domestic cricket is for the development & confidence of players!! #DCvsCSK #IPL2021
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 10, 2021
65-0 – that's Delhi's equal fifth highest ever unbeaten Powerplay score. A blistering attack from Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan has taken their chances of victory from 42% to 81% according to WinViz. #IPL2021 #CSKvDC
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 10, 2021
Prithvi Shaw performing for the 1st time on Star Sports. Amazing batting
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) April 10, 2021
Wow some terrific shots by @PrithviShaw and Shikar is not to far behind! Looks like @DelhiCapitals are on top after the power play! #CSKvDC
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) April 10, 2021
Shaw is putting on a show here. #CSKvsDC
— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) April 10, 2021
That last square drive from Prithvi Shaw. Sumptuous!
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 10, 2021
Shaw on fire.
Shardul Thakur. The mixture.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) April 10, 2021
I apologize to God for forgetting CSK have to bowl too. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 10, 2021
Sam Curran is 22. By CSK standards, he has cemented his place until year 2040 #IPL
— cricBC (@cricBC) April 10, 2021
Sam Curran's scoring rate v Tom Curran (19.7rpo) is his highest against any T20 bowler against whom he's faced more than 5 deliveries. #IPL2021 #CSKvDC
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 10, 2021
Tom Curran to Sam Curran#CSKvsDC pic.twitter.com/8LhSCv85Pe
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 10, 2021
Brilliant start for @ChennaiIPL to get to a brilliant total! Great to see @ImRaina back in action and form! Wonderful finish from @imjadeja and #Samcurran ! #IPL2021 #CSKvDC
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) April 10, 2021
71 for 3 in the first 10 overs
117 for 4 in the next 10 overs#CSK finish with 188 for 7 from 20 overshttps://t.co/ZeR7ZU54JI#CSKvDC #IPL2021— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 10, 2021
What a fantastic cricketer @CurranSM is … love watching him play … #IPL2021
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 10, 2021
Dhoni, dukh hota hai yaar. 💔
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 10, 2021
😭#WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvDC 💛🦁
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 10, 2021
MS Dhoni ducks in IPL
0(1) v Royals Chennai 2010
0(2) v Daredevils Chennai 2010
0(1) v Mumbai Mumbai 2015
0(2) v Capitals Mumbai 2021 *#CSKvDC #IPL2021 #DC— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) April 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/kaustats/status/1380904515482701824?s=19
Bad luck #Raina. And worse follows for CSK with Dhoni falling for a duck. DC showing fighting spirit
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 10, 2021
This is the difference. Jai Jai Balcony.
Mazaak hai, jyada seriously mat lo.#CSKvsDC pic.twitter.com/j3o94XARhY
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 10, 2021
Super Raina king @ChennaiIPL well played China thala 💪💪
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 10, 2021
Know @ImRaina since hostel days in Lucknow and on thing never changes for him is to perform under pressure. A giant in white ball cricket. #RainaReturns
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 10, 2021
since he last played for #CSK in that crazy IPL final of 2019, suresh raina has retired from international cricket, missed a whole IPL season and played a mere 5 competitive games…pretty impressive return to the big stage! #CSKvDC #IPL2021
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) April 10, 2021
Suresh Raina is known as Mr. IPL for a reason.
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) April 10, 2021
Suresh Raina looks so much at ease with the Yellow jersey on him. Kya baat hai #IPL2021 #CSKvDC @ImRaina
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 10, 2021
First 50 of #IPL2021 goes to Suresh Raina 🙌🏼 Welcome back sir. #CSKvDC
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) April 10, 2021
CSK is incomplete without Suresh Raina.
— Billgates Billu (@BillgatesBillu) April 10, 2021
There's good, there's great then there's Suresh Raina. 🐐
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) April 10, 2021
CSK have shown a lot of aggression against spin today. In the first 10 overs they scored 48 runs off Mishra and Ashwin – the last time they scored more, was during the 2018 IPL. #IPL2021 #CSKvDC
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 10, 2021
Ashwin, it's a bad idea to remind a CSK batsman of Kedar with that action. They will take on you more. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 10, 2021
Moeen Ali has the 2nd Best Strike Rate vs spinners in T20s (all time). First is Sehwag.
And RCB didn't used him at 4 last year.
Lol.
— Kaushik 🏏 (@_CricKaushik_) April 10, 2021
Ashwin 3 overs – 37 runs
The other 4 bowlers – 29 runs.#CSKvsDC
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) April 10, 2021
Why would Moeen Ali play a high risk switch hit after hitting Ashwin for 2 sixes beats me. Wanting to dominate the bowling is understandable, squandering a fine start for heroics is senseless
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 10, 2021
So exciting to watch Moeen Ali bat. And this is pace atm, he can murder spin to come . Would be an interesting battle with Ashwin. #CSKvDC
— Jatin Khandelwal (@jr_khandelwal) April 10, 2021
The #IndoreExpress arrived at the Wankhede in style 🔥#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2021 #CSKvDC pic.twitter.com/vQWDcTJAeQ
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 10, 2021
#MoeenAli good debut for #CSK #CSKvsDC #IPL2021
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) April 10, 2021
Beware Mishra’s googlies #CSK!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 10, 2021
Faf du Plessis has played 78 innings in IPL cricket – today was the first time he's been dismissed LBW in the competition. #IPL2021 #CSKvDC
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 10, 2021
Looking at @ChennaiIPL Batting line up with Bravo , Lord Shardul and Chahar at 9, 10 and 11. #CSKvsDC pic.twitter.com/LAjgy4OSpH
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 10, 2021
There is more to #CSKvDC contest than just #Dhoni and #Pant . Will be an interesting game for #MSDhoni since #DhoniReturns in action after so many months.
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 10, 2021