IPL 2019: Openers, Bowlers Help Chennai Super Kings Book Final Berth
May 11, 2019 at 10:55 AM
It was a complete performance from the defending champions Chennai Super Kings as they ticked the right boxes against Delhi Capitals in the second qualifier at Visakhapatnam. Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi by six wickets to book their eight IPL final.
Turning Point of the Match:
The Chennai bowlers were right on the money and never allowed any momentum for Delhi Capitals. Subsequently, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson scored fine fifties.
IPL 2019: Chennai Super Kings innings:
Chennai Super Kings got off to a slow start as Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson added four runs in the first two overs. However, Faf du Plessis was able to change gears and came up with attacking shots. On the other hand, Shane Watson failed to get his timing right in the initial stage.
In fact, both the opener were playing with fire as there was a huge miscommunication in the very first over. Furthermore, Delhi Capitals had the chance to effect run-out on multiple occasions but they were not able to hit the bullseye.
Faf du Plessis was able to time the ball with perfection as put on an exhibition of fine shots. The South African skipper completed his 12th IPL fifty off just 37 balls. However, the right-hander was dismissed right after completing his personal milestone. Faf du Plessis found Keemo Paul at deep square leg when Trent Boult bowled a short ball.
Chennai Super Kings were too good.
On the other hand, Shane Watson was also able to find his timing soon after his opening partner was dismissed. Watson was struggling to even rotate strike at the beginning of the innings. However, he was a different Watson when he got going against Capitals bowlers. The veteran Australian batsman completed his fifty off 31 balls. However, just like Faf du Plessis, he was also dismissed after completing his personal milestone.
Suresh Raina had walk back when his horizontal bat shot could not come up with success against Axar Patel.
IPL 2019: Delhi Capitals innings:
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni won the toss and unlike the first qualifier against Mumbai Indians, decided to bowl first. Delhi Capitals could not get off to a good start as previous match half-centurion Prithvi Shaw was plumbed in front by Deepak Chahar. However, the decision was given in the favour of the batting team but MS Dhoni was once again able to get the DRS right.
Subsequently, Delhi Capitals lost their top-scorer of the season when Shikhar Dhawan tried to cut a ball which was too close to his body. MS Dhoni grabbed the catch in the second attempt and Harbhajan Singh was able to get his first wicket of the night.
Colin Munro also could not get his timing right and he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer was soon dismissed by Imran Tahir and Delhi found themselves tottering at 75-4.
Consequently, the onus was on the shoulders of Rishabh Pant – who had played a blistering knock of 49 runs in the last match. However, it was completely different and the shot making wasn’t easy.
Pant batted with maturity as he took his time in the initial stages. The combative southpaw batsman scored 38 runs from 25 balls but could not make a substantial contribution.
In fact, it was expected that Delhi Capitals will finish below 140 runs. However, Ishant Sharma played a nice little cameo of three balls and scored 10 runs to take his team to 147 runs.
On the other hand, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja scalped two wickets each whereas Imran Tahir took one wicket. Thus, Chennai Super Kings didn’t let the Delhi Capitals batsmen off the hook.