Dubai : Opener Prithvi Shaw smashed a half-century before the Delhi Capitals bowlers came to the fore to help their side thrash Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 44 runs in their second match of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
Asked to bat first by the CSK, openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan provided a perfect start to the Delhi Capitals by stitching a 94-run stand.
En route to the partnership, Shaw also brought up his fifth half-century of the IPL and first of the ongoing season off just 35 deliveries.
Dhawan (35) and Shaw (64) both fell in quick succession off Piyush Chawla’s deliveries.
After the duo’s dismissal, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant notched up an unbeaten knock of 37 runs, while skipper Shreyas Iyer contributed with 22-ball 26 to help Delhi Capitals post a score of 175 for three.
In reply, CSK lost both their openers Murali Vijay and Shane Watson cheaply for 10 and 14, respectively inside the Powerplay.
Subsequently, Ruturaj Gaikwad also fell cheaply for five runs before Faf du Plessis (43) and Kedhar Jadhav (26) steadied CSK’s innings.
Following the duo’s departure, the Dhoni-led side failed to stitch partnerships and were restricted to a score of 131 for seven in their stipulated 20 overs.
For Delhi Capitals, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 26, while Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel also contributed with two and a wicket, respectively.
CSK will now look to bounce back when they take on SunRisers Hyderabad in their next clash on October 2, while Delhi Capitals will be keen to continue their momentum when they face the same team on September 29.
After playing a brilliant knock of 64 runs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals’ opener Prithvi Shaw has revealed why he changed his strategy before coming to bat against MS Dhoni-led side.
Shaw, who was named the ‘Man of the Match’ for his flamboyant innings, said that his plan was to play big shots along the ground to reduce the number of risks in the innings.
“My plan was to play my natural game, but I was looking to play shots along the ground, last game we saw there were some silly mistakes and it was not working for me or the team. I just thought I would play along the ground,” Shaw told skipper Shreyas Iyer, according to a video posted on iplt20.com.
He said this as Delhi Capitals defeated CSK by 44 runs at the Dubai International Stadium. Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi defended a total of 175 as the side restricted CSK to just 131/7. Put in to bat first against CSK, Delhi managed to post a total of 175/3 in the allotted twenty overs, owing to Shaw`s innings of 64 runs.
Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant also played an unbeaten knock of 37 runs.
He added, “CSK has some good pace bowlers, I was able to time the ball and get some gaps. As the spinners came on, even if are 40/0, it doesn`t matter, I knew me and Shikhar Dhawan could pace our innings after the powerplay.”
Iyer also admitted that winning the match against CSK will hold the side in good stead and added that the team would now look to maintain the winning momentum.
Talking about six-day quarantine before the tournament started, Iyer said, “First six days were very challenging, I thought they would pass very quickly, but it felt like a month seriously. I had to entertain myself in the room as I was watching movies, chatting with my friends.”
Defending 175, Delhi was on top throughout the game as the side kept on taking wickets at regular intervals.
Kagiso Rabada scalped three wickets while Nortje picked up two wickets. Delhi Capitals has now won their opening two matches of this year`s IPL and the side will next lock horns with SunRisers Hyderabad on Tuesday, September 29 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
