Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bounced back in style to beat confident Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets to set up a final date with Mumbai Indians for the fourth time at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on May 12 (Sunday).
Chasing a modest target and with dew settling in, Chennai Super Kings always had the advantage by their side. The openers – Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis took some time focusing on ones and twos before du Plessis took Ishant Sharma for 15 runs in the sixth over to finish the powerplays at 42 runs for no loss. The South African skipper has something for the powerplays as he murdered the Delhi Capitals bowling giving time to Shane Watson to settle. They kept up the momentum taking 22 runs off the next two overs to make the run chase look easy. Hovering at 72 for no loss from nine overs, the veteran duo of Chennai focused on rotating the strike while the odd boundaries kept coming.
In the process, du Plessis brought his 12th IPL fifty as Watson didn’t lag freeing his arms slowly. But Faf du Plessis holed out to Keemo Paul deep square-leg in an attempt to hit Trent Boult for a six. Although de Plessis departed, Watson continued to wreck havoc bringing his half-century taking Chennai Super Kings to 108 in the 12th over. Although Delhi chipped in with two quick wickets – Watson and Suresh Raina, Chennai sailed home safely to progress to the finals.
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Chennai bowlers rise to the occasion
Previously, Chennai Super Kings bowler did a fantastic job to contain the Delhi Capitals batters who have been in fabulous touch off late. The Capitals lost wickets at regular intervals as they managed to post only 147 runs from their 20 overs. Last match hero Prithvi Shaw went back early thanks to MS Dhoni’s outstanding DRS call. Shikhar Dhawan followed soon after setting his eyes in to reel at 37 for two. Ravindra Jadeja then got the better of Colin Munro who started to look dangerous scoring 27 off 24 balls.
The early wickets took Delhi Capitals away from the game despite Rishabh Pant‘s valiant efforts. The southpaw chipped in 38 runs – the highest score, but never looked in his usual touch. Chennai Super Kings continued to chip in wickets from the other end before Deepak Chahar got Pant out in the 19th over. Struggling at 125 for eight, some good strikes from Trent Boult and Ishant Sharma helped them post 147 runs.
Here are the Twitter Reactions from Qualifier 2:
CSK’s best performance this season: in all departments, for intensity and desire to win. The last fortnight had seen them stutter, sputter and lose quite a few matches. Just when it seemed players had run out of steam, to come up with this rousing performance is fantastic
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 10, 2019
Most IPL finals:
8 ~ CSK
5 ~ MI
3 ~ RCB
2 ~ KKR
2 ~ SRH— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 10, 2019
Watson’s Time Has Come….it seems. #CSKvDC #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 10, 2019
faf is already the highest scorer of the game #CSKvDC
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 10, 2019
Dhoni was tactically brilliant..Jadeja was a good move that backfired freakishly. CSK batsmen must now let Dhoni relax and get the runs themselves for a change. #CSKvDC
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 10, 2019
In form Faf scoring for himself and for out of form Watson. After a hesitant start, CSK gone through Powerplay with aplomb
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 10, 2019
So basically @faf1307 tells his team-mates at @ChennaiIPL, you play the earlier matches. When the time comes I will be there to win the big ones.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/sagarshah87/status/1126888058731806720
Kemo Paul has conceded 41 in two overs. In a game where the entire team has scored 147 in 20 overs. Overseas players ought to play a big role in big games. Not tonight for #DC #IPL #CSKvDC
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 10, 2019
They say old is gold. Today CSK will prove this.#CSKvDC
— Vikash Bhansali (@vikashbbhansali) May 10, 2019
Fuf wants to end the powerplay well and for that he has chosen Ishant Sharma.#GameBanayegaName #CSKvDC
— Abhi Gupta (@AbhiGupta3940) May 10, 2019
When we were kids we had a "retired score". If you crossed that, you had to retire and give others a chance. Since #CSK players are of a certain vintage, maybe they are playing like that too!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/GowthamanRockz/status/1126888016536981504
This is what happens when you don't take a early wicket. Even 3 successive maidens don't matter much if you don't take a wicket in the powerplay! #CSKvDC
— Jegan (@IamJegan) May 10, 2019
Needed great faith in Watson for Dhoni to have persisted with him after so many failures in the league phase. He’s come good at the right time in crucial match
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 10, 2019
Actually. It isn't CSK. It's Dhoni. Dhoni brings in all the viewers. Online and at the stadium. He sells tickets. Singlehandedly. #IPL2019 #CSKvDC
— Sahil Bhalla (@IMSahilBhalla) May 10, 2019
#CSKvDC @IPL
Fanpark… ??at Pondicherry ?? pic.twitter.com/duu3oDmbpV— ~♡)ҡєṭṭѧṿѧṅ(♡~ (@Kettavn_vj) May 10, 2019
DC's mission this year in IPL was to qualify for playoffs after 7 years n then loose in Qualifier 2 to CSK to set them up in final. ???? #CSKvDC
— Lord Voldemort (@Smart_Ladka) May 10, 2019
#CSKvDC Paul appears to be a weak bowler who strays on the pads occasionally.
— Pramod Deogirikar (@colpramoddeo) May 10, 2019
Shreyas Iyer has definitely batted well being the glue of Delhi Capitals. But he has captained this team poorly. Can clearly see ponting's imprint at all his decisions. On field decisions matter than preplanned ones. That's why Dhoni is par above the rest. #CSKvDC
— Diksha (@TownChill123) May 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/jatspower/status/1126900436642885632