IPL 2021: We Were Looking To Get Closer To 150 But Failed To Accelerate - MS Dhoni After Loss vs DC

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni cited the lack of big hits in the death over during CSK’s innings as the key reason for their loss to the Delhi Capitals (DC) on Monday in Dubai.

CSK put up 136 on the board, which DC managed to chase down in the last over. MS Dhoni, who struggled for timing in his 27-ball stay for 18 runs, felt CSK had the platform for a big launch in the death overs, but the batters couldn’t get going against the DC pacers.

MS Dhoni asserted that it was a “tough” and a “two-paced wicket” to bat on, which helped the seam bowlers.

“We were looking to get closer to 150. After we lost a few wickets, around the 15-16th over mark the platform was nice. We failed to accelerate. I thought it was a tough pitch. Anything close to 150 would’ve been a good score. It’s a two-paced wicket. It’s not like it slowed down drastically. Can’t just play your shots. That’s what the Delhi batters also faced. The taller bowlers were getting movement,” MS Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.

Very good effort from the bowlers to make a game out of it: MS Dhoni

With a not-so-big total to defend, CSK bowlers did “very good” to stretch the game till the last over; they even had a chance to win it but some undisciplined bowling and fielding let that opportunity go away. DC did had a couple of big scoring overs in the powerplay and in the death to make the chase easier.

“It was a very good effort to make a game out of it. Was important not to give too many in the first six. Was one expensive over in the first six, but when quality players are batting it can happen,” the CSK skipper concluded.

Delhi now move to the top of the table with 20 points and have all but guaranteed themselves a top-two finish. CSK, who have 18 points, have a game left. RCB are third-placed with 16 points and two matches in hand. CSK will take on Punjab Kings on Thursday in Dubai.

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