MS Dhoni
BCCI

Chennai Super Kings returned to winning ways following their 13 runs victory against the Delhi Daredevils at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

It was a thoroughly professional performance by Chennai which eventually handed them the win. It was a sensational knock of 78 runs from Shane Watson which set up Chennai for a massive score.

Towards the end, it was a swashbuckling half-century from the blade of the skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni which propelled them to a mammoth score of 211 runs for four in their allotted 20 overs.

Delhi began on a poor note. However, some exceptional batting from Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar, in the end, kept them in the hunt till the last over. It was superb hitting by the southpaw.

However, after his dismissal, it looked a safe ride for Chennai. Vijay Shankar again got them back into the match with some lusty hitting, but in the end, it was a too big total. Eventually, they fell short by 13 runs to give Chennai their 6th victory of the season.

Batting first, Chennai got off to a sensational start. Ambati Rayudu who had a terrific time as an opener was pushed down the order to accommodate Faf du Plessis in the opening slot with Shane Watson. They began spectacularly. Watson, in particular, was in ominous touch and smashed four fours and seven sixes during his quickfire knock of 78 off just 40 deliveries.

He took on the Delhi bowlers with utter disdain and never looked in any discomfort what so ever. It was flawless hitting. On the other hand, du Plessis found it a bit difficult to get going.

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However, he played the supporting role to perfection and shared a 103 runs stand. It was Vijay Shankar who provided the maiden breakthrough in the form of Du Plessis’ wicket.

Suresh Raina also got dismissed pretty early, as Chennai got reduced to 103/2. Amit Mishra dismissed Watson after smashing a few big hits. It was a much-needed wicket at that situation of the match. Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni were and looked well set to take them to a big total.

Skipper Dhoni continued his terrific run in the tournament. He started smashing sixes at will from the outset. Captain Cool deposited Trent Boult for a couple of brilliant sixes which. He reached a well-deserved fifty in just 22 deliveries.

IPL 2018: Back is Still Hurting - MS Dhoni
Credits: BCCI

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It was carnage on display by the sensational hitter which eventually helped Chennai post a mammoth total of 211.

Delhi needed a brilliant start, to begin with. 18-year old Prithvi Shaw started fluently by smashing a couple of boundaries. However, he was dismissed soon after by KM Asif, the debutant in the team. Shreyas Iyer walked out in the middle to join Colin Munro. The latter despite missing quite a few in the first over struck some magnificent blows.

His 26 came off just 16 deliveries which included three fours and a couple of sixes. Skipper Shreyas Iyer was run out in the most unfortunate of circumstances. He needed to be there.

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However, Rishabh Pant was still there. He has proved with his hitting in the past, and even today, the southpaw played a special knock. It was brilliant hitting by the ‘Pocket Sized Dynamo” which kept Delhi in the game till the very last over.

He smashed seven fours and four sixes during his sensational 78 which came in just 44 deliveries. After his dismissal, Chennai looked in command of proceedings.

However, Vijay Shankar kept things interested after smashing three sixes and a four in the penultimate over of Dwayne Bravo. It was superb hitting. He also hit a six of the last over of Lungi Ngidi. However, the target was way too much, as they fell short by 13 runs.

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Now here is what winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said at the post-match presentation,

“Looking at the wicket, we thought we needed an overseas batsman. I think Sam needed a bit of a rest. With Faf opening and Rayudu in the middle, it gives more stability to the middle order, and the batting order looks stronger. Rayudu can bat anywhere in the order, and he is keen to take any responsibility for the team. We wanted fast bowlers to come in. Shardul has not come good. So, we thought a gap of a few games will help him. Lungi coming in and doing good for us was important because we thought we needed pace on this wicket.”

“He has impressed me right from South Africa. If he keeps coming good, it will be good for us. We have to keep in mind the eliminators and the finals if we make it. Those would be played on the small grounds. The margin of error at this level is not much. Whatever is not working, one has to get a marker and work on it. Overall, we are a happy side, and the mood is good. But it helps if you are winning and learning. Bowlers have to adapt. Otherwise, we will have to look at other options.”

“Back is bad, but nothing much can be done. Because there is no rest period in the middle. I have not been training much because of it. There is a bit of pain, but I think I will manage. It is very important for us to get a good platform and then I can promote myself up the order. It is important for us to get off to a good start and not always in terms of runs but get a good partnership.”

“Then I can promote myself to 4 or 5 and then I have an extra batsman behind me. So, I take the risk when needed. If you bat too down the order, you don’t know when to go after the bowlers. It is more fun when you go in at the 8th or the 10th over when the bowler does not know when you are going to go for it and keep him guessing.”

IPL 2018: Back is Still Hurting - MS Dhoni
Credits: BCCI

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