Ravindra Jadeja, CSK, SRH, Jonny Bairstow, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. Image Credits: Twitter

Chennai Super Kings’ slim chances of making it to the playoffs suffered yet another big blow on Saturday with a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals. The defeat was CSK’s third in 9 games this season. Ravindra Jadeja failed to defend 17 runs in the final over as Delhi Capitals continued their solid run in IPL 2020.

Batting first, CSK posted a challenging total of 179 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs. After Sam Curran departed for a duck in the first over, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis then steadied the ship by adding 87 runs for the second wicket. Anrich Nortje broke the stand when he sent back Watson for 36.

CSK, SRH
Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu [Photo-Twitter]
Du Plessis, on the other hand, went on to compile another fifty this season before being dismissed for 58 by his compatriot Kagiso Rabada. Ambati Rayudu (45* off 25 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (33* off 13) then played handy knocks to ensure CSK end up with a good total.

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In reply, Delhi Capitals rode on Shikhar Dhawan’s maiden IPL century to chase down the total with a ball to spare. The opener stayed till the end to make sure his team crosses the finishing line.

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (Credits: Twitter)

In the final over, Capitals needed 17 runs and MS Dhoni handed the ball to Jadeja. However, the left-arm spinner was hit for three sixes by Axar Patel as Capitals crossed the line with a ball to spare.

MS Dhoni’s reaction:

Speaking at the end of the game, MS Dhoni explained the reason behind not giving Dwayne Bravo the ball for the final over and instead handing it to Jadeja. The CSK skipper revealed that Bravo was not fit and was out of the field. He explained that the option was to pick between Jadeja and Karn Sharma and he decided to go with the left-arm spinner.

“Bravo was not fit, he went out and was really not able to come back. That was the reason we had to bowl (Jadeja). The option was between Karn and Jaddu so I went ahead with Jaddu,” said MS Dhoni.

He further stated that dismissing Dhawan was important before saying that the pitch became more favourable for batting in the second innings due to dew. At the same time, he didn’t take away anything from Dhawan and gave him credit for the fine display.

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“Shikhar’s wicket was important, we did drop him quite a few times. He’s somebody if he is batting, he’ll keep ticking the scoreboard. He’ll keep taking his chances. If he’s there on the crease, he’ll always maintain a good strike rate. I felt his wicket was crucial. Also there was difference between the first and second innings,” said MS Dhoni.

“The wicket behaved slightly better in the second innings, it came on slightly better which made it slightly easy for the batsmen. But overall, we can’t really take the credit away from Shikhar, he batted really well and was supported really well by the other batters. There was just enough dew, there wasn’t a lot of dew, just enough to make it slightly better and that creates a difference between the first and the second innings,” he added.

Also Read: IPL 2020: Twitter Goes Berserk As Shikhar Dhawan’s Stunning Ton Powers DC To Thrilling Win Over CSK

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