IPL2021: M-50 || Delhi Vs Chennai — “Shishya Rishabh Pant” ~ Victorious In Battle of Supremacy !!
“Shishya ~ The Delhi Capitals Won The Match By 03 Wickets !!”
In the contest of “Guru~Shishya”, once again it’s the Shishya who proved to be the winner. It must be a proud feeling for “Dhoni ~The guru” but not as as the skipper of the opposition team. At Dubai International stadium, in the match-50 of Incredible Premier League, top two teams of the league were up against each other in the “Battle of Supremacy”. In another thriller, Delhi boys found a way to get over the line — marginally.
Team-Changes
Chennai Super Kings: (CSK)
The yellow army & skipper Dhoni made two obvious changes to the team. As IPL-2021 is reaching the business end, teams wants their best of the players in form. Therefore, Super Kings called Dwayne Bravo & Deepak Chahar back into the team.
Delhi Capitals: (DC)
The blue army also made the only expected change. Prithvi Shaw was fit to play &therefore he makes his way in the playing eleven. Although, there was buzz about place of Ripal Patel in the team & still no update on availability of Marcus Stoinis to play.
Super Kings Batting Exposed ~ 03 Consecutive Losses ~ Warning Bells !!
Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals won an all important toss & asked Chennai Super Kings to put up a score on board. On a mysterious pitch of Dubai, this was an uphill task for yellow army. The success of Super Kings with the bat is all because of the top order’s massive success. But here, a different story was scripted. Anyways, it was a contest between the “Delhi Capitals Bowling Vs Chennai Super Kings Batting” !!
After a decent start given by the openers, Rishabh Pant brought a spinner — Axar Patel & he took “WICKET” in his very first over. Faf Du Plessis(10) was OUT - caught under the spin web & looped one to Shreyas Iyer. Delhi Capitals made a double-strike as Anrich Nortje picked the big wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad(13). Delhi Capitals were right on top. Super Kings for the very first time,this season lost both the openers cheaply inside the power-play.
Now, it was a real test of character of yellow army with the bat. The responsibility was on the middle order to build the innings & provide the platform for finishers to close the innings on high. But non of the middle order batsmen could stay on the crease for long & team looked in deep-deep trouble. A big thanks to Ambati Rayudu- the lone warrior who scored some crucial runs for the team & remain unbeaten of 55*. But, the real drama was going on the other end. Once again Moeen Ali(5),Robin Uthappa(19) & skipper Dhoni(18) failed to deliver. Form of skipper & Suresh Raina mystery of not playing, is becoming a big reason of concern for the yellow army. Once again Super Kings batting exposed ~ stumbled & crumbled !! CSK — 136/5
Delhi Capitals…..Openers & Finishers Did It !!
In the first half, Delhi bowlers did a brilliant job with the ball. All the bowlers were frugal, but the pick of the bowlers was “Axar Patel (18/2)”. Now, it was all upto the batsmen to finish the job. Both the openers — The pocket dynamite -Prithvi Shaw & Gabbar — Shikhar Dhawan gave an explosive start to the team. Runs were scored at a speed of knots. A blinder from “Faf Du Plessis” on the boundary ropes off Deepak Chahar gave the first break-through to Super Kings & Prithvi Shaw(18) was OUT !!
Looking at the situation, everyone was expecting skipper to walk in, but to everyone’s surprise — “Shreyas Iyer(2)” been promoted to play some aggressive cricket. But, this didn’t worked & Delhi Capitals lost two big wickets inside the power-play. But the good news is, Capitals were still scoring at 09 runs per over.
This was the time, when something exciting happened. Time for Dhoni’s men to strike through & comeback. A mediocre target & the way openers gave a platform to team, there was no need to panic. Super Kings knew this very well, they can win this contest by picking wickets only. Yellow army, created the panic in the Delhi camp. For no reason, batsmen start to play some wild shots & that kind of sniff Super Kings were looking for.
A player of Rishabh Pant() stature played an expensive shot & gifted his wicket. The following batsmen — Ripal Patel(18), Ravichandran Ashwin(2) & Axar Patel(5) followed the foot-prints of the captain & it was a procession. Now, there was a real panic in the Capitals camp. Chennai Super Kings, made a big hole in the Capitals mindset. Well, sending Ashwin ahead of Shimron Hetmyer was a prime example of it.
Thankfully Shimron Hetmyer(28*) had a calm head over his shoulders & played some sensible cricket, in company of Kagiso Rabada(4*). Without creating more adventures, eventually Delhi Capitals gets over the line in the very last over……just in snick of time. This was a real close encounter. Super Kings almost have created an upset. Another a thrilling contest !! DC — 139/7
Final Verdict
This was a battle of top two teams of the league, but looking at the batting performances of both the teams,it was disappointing. It was a bowlers show & it’s the warning bells for both the teams, just before heading to the “Playoffs”. There was pressure of Playoff qualifications, still batsmen were playing safe & shot selections too was poor.
Especially, middle order of both the teams has stumbles & crumbled in this match. Both the teams would like to address this issue & it’s better they do.
Delhi Capitals won this fixture & they also know, it’s not a convincing victory. Delhi boys, somehow managed to chase the ordinary target. A wicket here & there, and it was over for them. So, both the teams have a lot to ponder upon for upcoming games- leading to playoffs.
FINAL SCORE-LINE
CSK — 134/5 (20.0 Overs) || DC — 139/7 (19.4 Overs)
Player of The Match :- “Axar Patel”
Author: #SakshamWrites
