New Delhi: Fifties from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway in addition to a three-wicket haul by Deepak Chahar won the game for Chennai Super Kings. Delhi Capitals’ loss has paved the way for CSK to the playoffs. Skipper David Warner’s 86 off 58 went in vain after a top-order collapse in the powerplay.
CSK posted a massive total of 223 and in reply, DC could manage just 146 as they lost by 77 runs. Maheesh Theekshana gave a perfect end to the game with a double-wicket maiden over. Devon Conway scored 87 off 52 while Gaikwad put 79 off 50 on the board to set help the Super Kings set a huge target, while Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja went all out in the death overs.
Tushar Deshpande got Prithvi Shaw in the second over as Ambati Rayudu picked a diving catch and Chahar got Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw in two consecutive deliveries in the fifth over to bring DC down to 26/3. After a 49-run stand between Warner and Yash Dhull, Jadeja got the Indian youngster off an outside edge sailing into the hands of Deshpande.
Axar Patel tried to hit the ball for boundaries to compliment Warner but fell after 15 off 8 to Chahar as Gaikwad picked a great catch. Sri Lankan pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana picked two wickets each to contribute to the lower-order collapse.
In the first inning, Gaikwad and Conway posted a 141-run stand in 14.3 overs. The stage was set for Shivam Dube to go big and the batter delivered yet again with 22 off 9 as he hit three maximums. Ravindra Jadeja ended the inning with 20* off 7, hitting three fours and a six.
CSK played as a unit and ended the group stage on a high note to enter yet another playoff under MS Dhoni. While there are speculations of this being Dhoni’s last season, it is good news for fans that he moves a step closer to the trophy.
