Delhi Capitals scored 191/5 in 20 overs, where as Chennai Super Kings scored 171/6 in 20 overs.
So, finally Delhi Capitals beat Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs.
Powered by half-centuries from David Warner and Rishabh Pant, supported by impressive bowling spells from Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar, Delhi Capitals clinched their inaugural victory of IPL 2024, dealing Chennai Super Kings their first defeat of the season.
The hosts sealed a 20-run triumph in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
Shaw-Warner justify their reputation
David Warner and Prithvi Shaw, touted as one of the most formidable opening pairs in the IPL, didn’t quite live up to expectations last season, resulting in Shaw’s exclusion from the team’s initial two games this season.
However, upon his return, the duo showcased precisely why they strike fear into opponents’ hearts.
Despite a shaky start, they swiftly found their rhythm, launching an assault on the CSK bowlers.
Warner took charge against Deepak Chahar in the fifth over, dispatching his slower delivery over the square fence and then punishing his low full toss and bouncer for boundaries.
Shaw joined the onslaught, smashing a trio of boundaries against Mustafizur Rahman in the final over of the powerplay, propelling the team to 62 for no loss – their highest powerplay score this season.
Even as the fielding restrictions relaxed, the pair continued their onslaught, particularly targeting Ravindra Jadeja, plundering 24 runs off the left-arm spinner’s first two overs.
By the ninth over, Warner notched his 62nd IPL half-century with a flick towards mid-wicket.
By the end of the ninth over, DC found themselves in a commanding position at 91 for no loss.
Pathirana’s pivotal contribution
While trying to keep Prithvi Shaw in check, Matheesha Pathirana’s first over saw a couple of wides, but amidst the onslaught, he delivered an impressive performance.
However, the turning point of the innings arrived when he snatched a sensational, one-handed diving catch at short third man to dismiss Warner, whose reverse scoop backfired.
Then, in the 15th over, after conceding a boundary, he swiftly dismantled Mitchell Marsh and Tristan Stubbs with precise yorkers within three balls.
Between Pathirana’s impactful overs, Shaw’s departure came as he edged behind while attempting a cut against Jadeja, marking MS Dhoni’s milestone as the first wicketkeeper to claim 300 catches in T20s.
Tushar Deshpande and Chahar tightened the screws with a couple of economical overs while Jadeja remained under assault.
By the conclusion of Pathirana’s second over, DC found themselves at 134 for 4.
CSK managed to wrestle back momentum, thanks to Pathirana’s brilliance with the ball and in the field, leaving DC with a new batsman alongside Rishabh Pant, who was struggling to find his rhythm.
Pant launches a counteroffensive
Until the conclusion of the 17th over, Pant struggled to connect cleanly with the ball.
Despite a couple of boundaries, he crawled along at a run-a-ball pace with just 23 runs.
Then, in a sudden resurgence, he rediscovered his form.
He started by dispatching a short delivery from Mustafizur for a boundary, followed by a one-handed flick for a six off a full delivery a few balls later.
Continuing the onslaught against Pathirana in the subsequent over, he dismantled the bowler with a six and two boundaries off consecutive deliveries before miscuing a yorker to the long-off fielder, who snatched a brilliant catch.
Nevertheless, his late surge not only propelled him to his first half-century upon returning to the IPL but also propelled DC to a formidable total of 191 for 5.
CSK’s early setback
Khaleel Ahmed’s skillful display of swing bowling under favorable conditions saw Delhi Capitals striking early, claiming two crucial wickets.
The conducive pitch offered both seam movement and uneven bounce, aiding DC’s opening bowling duo.
Ruturaj Gaikwad nicked one behind to the wicketkeeper in the initial over, while Rachin Ravindra’s arduous innings ended with a top-edge to mid-off in the third over.
Ahmed, the left-arm pacer, conceded a mere nine runs in his three-over spell during the powerplay, limiting CSK to 32 for 2.
CSK stage a comeback but DC maintain dominance
Daryl Mitchell and Ajinkya Rahane orchestrated a resilient fightback for CSK, forging a 68-run partnership off 45 balls.
Despite their initially sluggish start against the mounting required rate, they both managed to clear the ropes with a six each off Rasikh Salam in the 10th over, sparking hopes of a momentum shift.
However, Mitchell’s dismissal followed shortly after with a mistimed loft off Axar Patel in the succeeding over.
Rahane endeavored to sustain CSK’s revival alongside Shivam Dube, but with the latter struggling to find his timing on the big shots, DC maintained their grip on the proceedings.
In the 14th over, Mukesh Kumar struck swiftly, removing Rahane and Sameer Rizvi in rapid succession, further denting CSK’s resurgence.
Dhoni and Jadeja’s valiant effort falls short
As Mukesh returned for his second over, Dube’s attempt to flat bat a slower delivery resulted in a straightforward catch for the long-off fielder.
When Dhoni stepped in, with 72 runs required off just 23 balls, the challenge appeared insurmountable for CSK.
Nevertheless, a barrage of boundaries from Dhoni, making his competitive batting comeback after nearly a year, coupled with Jadeja’s contributions, narrowed the equation down to 46 runs off the final two overs.
However, it was Mukesh who delivered the decisive blow, sealing the fate of the contest.
Throughout the game, DC bowlers had consistently targeted the wide line outside the off-stump towards the longer boundary.
Mukesh maintained this strategy, bowling full and wide, conceding a mere five runs in the penultimate over, dashing CSK’s hopes.
Despite Anrich Nortje’s struggle in the final over, conceding two sixes and two boundaries, Dhoni’s late surge, scoring an unbeaten 37 off just 16 balls, CSK fell short by 20 runs, unable to chase down DC’s total.
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