IPL 2018: Match 52 - Delhi Thump CSK at Home Courtesy Brilliant Bowling in the Middle Overs

Delhi Daredevils (DD) bowlers stood up to the occasion, as they restricted Chennai Super Kings (CSK) within 128 runs to beat them by 34 runs at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

However, this match had no importance with Chennai already qualifying for the playoffs. On the other hand, Delhi are out of the competition and looked to finish the tournament on a high.

Batting first, Delhi struggled to get off to a good start, as they lost Prithvi Shaw (17) in the fifth over. The young Deepak Chahar, who is having a good time, drew the first blood of the Delhi innings.

Since then, skipper Shreyas Iyer partnered Rishabh Pant to steady the Daredevils’ innings. However, Iyer failed to capitalise on the start, as Lungi Ngidi cleaned him up for 19 runs. Meanwhile, some terrific bowling in the middle-order ensured runs dry up from both the ends.

Delhi, however, were reeling at 94 for four at the end of 14 overs. Glenn Maxwell (5) once struggled to get going which sums up Delhi’s time in this edition of the IPL.

However, some late blows from Vijay Shankar and Harshal Patel ensured they go well past the 150-run mark. Harshal Patel played a blinder of 36 runs off 16 balls including one boundary and four towering sixes.

The bowlers did an outstanding job with South African seamer Lungi Ngidi being the impressive returning with two for 14 in his three overs.

In reply, Chennai got off to a flier, courtesy Ambati Rayudu once again providing a solid start. Rayudu continued his rich form, as he notched up yet another fifty. Rayudu reached his fifty in just 29 balls with the help of four boundaries and sixes each.

Chennai were reeling at 70 for two when Suresh Raina and ever-reliant MS Dhoni tried to rebuild the innings. However, two back to back wickets halted Chennai’s free run-flow.

With 58 runs needed from the last 24 balls, it came down to skipper Dhoni. However, he struggled to find the gaps, as the required run-rate went up.

Delhi bowlers, however, were brilliant bowling tight line and length, as Chennai failed to match up with the required run-rate. Although Ravindra Jadeja tried his best, he remained unbeaten on 28 falling short of 34 runs.

As a result, Delhi secured eight points from 13 games with one game still to play.

Brief Score: DD 162/5 (Harshal 36*, Ngidi 2/14) beat CSK 128/6 (Rayudu 50, Bolt 2/20) by 34 runs.

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