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Delhi vs Chennai Live Commentary, Match 5, Indian Premier League, 2019, March 26, 2019

DC 147/6 (20)
Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets
CSK 150/4 (19.4)
Match over
Delhi Capitals Inning Chennai Super Kings Inning
0.0 : Welcome to the fifth game of the Indian T20 League. We are at the capital of the country and will witness Delhi host Dhoni's Chennai tonight. Both teams started off the tournament on the perfect note by bagging 2 points each albeit in different ways. Delhi posted a 200-plus score and defended it whereas the away side skittled out Bangalore for just 70 before chasing it down easily. Kotla awaits, young, enthusiastic blood versus the experienced, calm heads! Who is going to trump? Action is not fa
PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar is our expert with the pitch report and starts off by saying the conditions are pleasant around. He feels that the surface lacks any grass and is harder than normally how it is here. Comparing the bounce with the Wankhede stadium, he says that it is slightly lower here at the Kotla hence the batsmen as well as the bowlers have to make adjustments according to what shots to play and where to bowl respectively. He informs us that the most amount of turn in the Leagu
TOSS - Delhi have won the toss and elect to bat first.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer, says that they are looking to score around 170-180. Adds that the wicket gets slow in the second half at this venue. Informs that they have one change as Amit Mishra comes in for Trent Boult.
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, says they were looking to bowl first only. States that they are unsure of the nature of the wicket so want to see how it plays out. Adds that the surface is a bit tacky, so that also comes into play. Ends by mentioning that their side is unchanged.
We are ready to begin. The umpires make their way out to the middle, followed by the Chennai team and the two Delhi openers - Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Deepak Chahar to bowl the first over. Here we go...
0.1 : D Chahar to P Shaw, Good length delivery shaping away from around off, Shaw stays inside the crease and taps it down on the off side.
0.2 : D Chahar to P Shaw, In the air but it falls safely. A little too straight in line from Chahar, Shaw looks to work it on the leg side but closes the face early and the ball pops off the leading edge. Falls short of mid on.
0.3 : D Chahar to P Shaw, Wide! Goes down the leg side this time, Prithvi tries to flick it fine but misses. Wide called.
D Chahar to P Shaw, FOUR! That's a fine shot from Prithvi Shaw. A confident hit. Back of a length on middle and leg, he moves inside the line and pulls it hard through square leg for a boundary.
0.4 : D Chahar to P Shaw, Skids off the deck a bit, a length ball on off, a firm punch is offered towards the covers.
0.5 : D Chahar to P Shaw, Fullish delivery on the pads, the right-hander works it through the mid-wicket region. Big gap out there, so the batsmen come back for the second.
0.6 : D Chahar to P Shaw, Off the inner half. Just short, Shaw plays it on the leg side and keeps strike with a single. 8 off the first over.
Shardul Thakur will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : S Thakur to P Shaw, Good length ball on middle and leg, nudged to the leg side. No run taken.
1.2 : S Thakur to P Shaw, The ball is skidding off the surface here. Does so again now. Thakur targets the top of off stump with a length ball, Shaw mistimes the cut towards point.
1.3 : S Thakur to P Shaw, Solid in defense. Shardul attacks the stumps, Prithvi brings a straight bat down in defense.
1.4 : S Thakur to P Shaw, FOUR! Slower ball and it's picked up early by Shaw. It's bowled on a length, the opener swings across the line after standing his ground and then whacks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
1.5 : S Thakur to P Shaw, FOUR! Goes down the ground this time. Back-to-back boundaries for Prithvi Shaw. Just behind a length outside off, Shaw plays this on the up and lofts it over mid on to find the fence.
1.6 : S Thakur to P Shaw, FOUR! Three in a row. An expensive over from Thakur, 12 off it. Shaw plays a deft shot this time. Waits for this length ball and runs it down to third man. It's a quick outfield, even Chahar in the deep can't stop it by moving to his left.
2.1 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan plays his first ball of the game after two overs and gets a boundary immediately, even if it is in a streaky manner. Length delivery shaping away from around off, Dhawan hangs his bat out and it goes off the edge down to third man.
2.2 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Marginally fuller than a length, around off, it's cracked straight to the cover fielder.
2.3 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Full this time, on the off stick, Shikhar drives but finds the man at extra cover.
2.4 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Play and a miss! Dhawan gives the charge to this back of a length delivery, looking to smash it over the off side, but misses it altogether.
2.5 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Dhawan fails to connect with another one. On a length and outside off, keeps a little low, the southpaw fails to put bat on it.
2.6 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Coming back in off the deck, worked in front of square leg but it's too close to the fielder.
Harbhajan Singh is into the attack now.
3.1 : H Singh to P Shaw, Full and darted on leg, Shaw works it off his pads to square leg. Dot ball.
3.2 : H Singh to P Shaw, FOUR! Shaw taking the attack to Harbhajan here, taking full advantage of the Powerplay. Seeing it flighted up, Shaw dances out and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
3.3 : H Singh to P Shaw, Wide! Down the leg side, wide signalled by the umpire.
H Singh to P Shaw, Prithvi swings but mistimes it as it goes off the inner half on the leg side. The batsmen take a quick run.
3.4 : H Singh to S Dhawan, FOUR! Switches to around the wicket for the left-hander and pitches it too full. Dhawan gets low and plays a beautiful sweep shot. The timing and placement are too good as it finds its way to the square leg fence.
3.5 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Spinning away from around off, it's cut to the point fielder.
3.6 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Quicker and flatter on middle and leg, Dhawan punches it to mid on and takes the fielder on. Beats the throw and completes the single with ease.
4.1 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Makes good connection but can't get the placement right. Plays this on the up and smacks it, straight to extra cover though.
4.2 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Bowls it on the hips, Shikhar easily glances it down to fine leg and changes ends.
4.3 : D Chahar to P Shaw, OUT! Chahar strikes! Just the wicket Chennai needed. Seeing Shaw make room, the pacer follows him with a back of a length ball. Shaw looks to heave it over mid-wicket, but mistimes it to Watson who comes in and takes a simple catch. The breakthrough has come at a good time for the visitors. They can make further inroads from here and get on top.
Shreyas Iyer walks in at no.3.
4.4 : D Chahar to S Iyer, Iyer wastes no time in getting off the mark. Uses the angle into him and nudges it through the vacant square leg area for a single.
4.5 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Shaping away, a length ball outside off, Dhawan offers a solid punch but straight to the cover-point fielder.
4.6 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Good running. Dhawan taps this in front of cover and both batsmen take off quickly. As a result, they manage to complete the run with ease.
5.1 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Quick and short around off, Shikhar punches it towards covers off the back foot.
5.2 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Dhawan backs away to this shorter ball and forces the punch towards the covers again.
5.3 : H Singh to S Dhawan, FOUR! He's premeditated that. Excellent shot. Knew it would be short again, so positioned himself for the reverse paddle and placed it through short third man for a boundary.
5.4 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Full outside off, driven to the covers. Raina dives to his left but still can't stop it. A single is collected.
5.5 : H Singh to S Iyer, Looped up on off stump, Iyer is well forward in defense.
5.6 : H Singh to S Iyer, Full and straight, played back to the bowler. That's the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 43/1.
6.1 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Short ball banged in, Dhawan jumps out and slices it over point. There is a man in the deep, so the batsmen will only get one run.
6.2 : D Chahar to S Iyer, Skidding off once more, a length ball outside off, Iyer punches it from inside the crease through the covers and jogs across to the other end.
6.3 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, Back of a length quite close to off, Dhawan slaps the cut through towards sweeper cover. One run to the total.
6.4 : D Chahar to S Iyer, Plays this very late. Waits for it to come to him before opening the face and running it down to third man for one.
6.5 : D Chahar to S Dhawan, In line of the stumps, the opener brings his wrists into play and whips it behind square leg. Easy run taken by the batsmen.
6.6 : D Chahar to S Iyer, Full delivery attacking the base of off stump, the Delhi captain opens the face and dabs it to point.
7.1 : H Singh to S Dhawan, A bit slower through the air, slight turn away, Shikhar steps out and pushes it to the man at cover.
7.2 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Shortish and outside off, it's cut away through cover-point for one.
7.3 : H Singh to S Iyer, Iyer walks down the track, sees the ball turning down the leg side, so he works it to square leg and crosses over. The 50 comes up for Delhi.
7.4 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Full and fast outside off, pushed towards the point region for a brisk run.
7.5 : H Singh to S Iyer, Full and quick outside off, blocked with soft hands on the off side.
7.6 : H Singh to S Iyer, Takes the aerial route and almost pays the price. Big boundaries out there. Iyer comes out and lofts it over mid-wicket. Rayudu out in the deep runs in, dives but the ball falls short. He does well, however, to stop it from going past him. Single to end the over.
Ravindra Jadeja brought on to have a go with the ball.
And he makes things happen immediately. A stumping appeal against Shreyas Iyer is referred upstairs. Let's see what happens here. Looks close.
8.1 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, Not out! Survives by a fraction of a second... that close. Phew! Dhoni once again lightning quick behind the stumps. Spinning away from around off, fuller in length, Iyer comes forward to defend but is beaten past the outside edge. His back leg drags out in the process and Dhoni wastes no time in taking the bails off. It's taken upstairs and replays show the Delhi skipper just about makes it back in.
8.2 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, Quick single. Iyer pushes it towards point and takes off. The throw comes in at the bowler's end, the bails are off but it's not because of the ball. Harbhajan knocks them off with his hands before the ball comes to him. So no harm done.
8.3 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, A mistimed shot. Dhawan charges out and plays the pull off the inner half to mid-wicket. Gets a single for doing so.
8.4 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, Quicker and flatter outside off, patted to point for one more.
8.5 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Shorter and flatter outside off, Dhawan looks to play the reverse paddle but is caught on the thigh pad.
8.6 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Stays behind for this one and pushes it defensively on the off side.
Strategic break. Pretty even at this point. Delhi have been scoring at a steady rate, but not too fast. Chennai have got rid of Shaw and another wicket or two at this stage could swing things in their favour. Let's see how the next phase plays out. Also, Imran Tahir is into the attack.
9.1 : I Tahir to S Iyer, Bowls a quicker delivery on middle, Iyer tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
9.2 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Flighted delivery on leg, Dhawan flicks it towards square leg for a single.
9.3 : I Tahir to S Iyer, SIX! That's big! He's hit that a loooooonnnngggggg way! Tossed right up there, outside off, Iyer's eyes light up when he sees this. He stands his ground and launches it deep into the long off stands. This is the first maximum of the innings. And also, it is the longest time taken in a match this season for one to come.
9.4 : I Tahir to S Iyer, Full on leg, Iyer flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.
9.5 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Bowls a googly outside off, Dhawan looks to sweep but misses it due to the turn on this one.
9.6 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Floated outside off, Shikhar comes down the track and drives it through mid off for a single. Big over for Delhi. 10 runs have come from it.
10.1 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Flighted delivery outside off, Dhawan looks to sweep but gets hit on the front pad. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
10.2 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, Floated on middle, Iyer defends it off the front foot.
10.3 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, On the pads, Iyer flicks it towards square leg for a run.
10.4 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, Tossed up on middle, Shreyas flicks it through square leg for a single.
10.5 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, On middle, Dhawan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
10.6 : R Jadeja to S Iyer, Beauty of a delivery. Floated just outside off, Iyer looks to defend but gets beaten on this one due to the turn on this one.
11.1 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, FOUR! Terrific shot from Shikhar Dhawan. Good use of the feet from him. Floated on off, Dhawan comes down the track and smashes it past the bowler through mid off for a boundary.
11.2 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Shikhar Dhawan. It was a much-needed one. Flighted delivery on middle, Dhawan plays a slog sweep through mid-wicket for a boundary.
11.3 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, A single this time. It's slogged through mid-wicket for a run.
11.4 : I Tahir to S Iyer, OUT! GONE! Tahir gets the breakthrough. This is clever bowling. The ball's been skidding through the innings so far, so he bowls it quick and on the stumps. Iyer backs away to cut it down to third man but is caught on the pads first. Big appeal and the umpire's finger follows. The Delhi skipper departs. Replays later show us that the impact was umpire's call and had the finger stayed down, Iyer would have survived in the case of a review. Never mind now, the run-a-ball s
Rishabh Pant walks in next to bat.
11.5 : I Tahir to R Pant, Tossed up on middle, Pant flicks it towards square leg and gets off the mark.
11.6 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Floated on off, Dhawan plays it back towards the bowler. 10 runs and a wicket from this one. Eventful over from Imran Tahir.
12.1 : R Jadeja to R Pant, Short and outside off, Pant makes room and cuts it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple.
12.2 : R Jadeja to R Pant, FOUR! Cracking shot from Rishabh Pant. Short and outside off, Pant makes room and slaps it through covers for a boundary. Harbhajan did not have a chance there.
12.3 : R Jadeja to R Pant, Short again on off, Pant cuts it towards point for a single.
12.4 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Floated on off, Dhawan guides it towards third man for a run.
12.5 : R Jadeja to R Pant, Floated on middle, Pant flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the stumps at the keeper's end but misses it. The batsmen get two runs. Good running between the wickets.
12.6 : R Jadeja to R Pant, Flighted delivery on leg, Pant nudges it towards mid-wicket for a run. 11 runs have come from the over. Productive over for Delhi.
Dwayne Bravo introduced into the attack.
13.1 : D Bravo to R Pant, FOUR! On a good length and outside off, Pant looks to drive but gets an outside edge. He deliberately played that shot. It goes wide of Dhoni towards third man for a boundary.
13.2 : D Bravo to R Pant, WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Pant looks to flick but misses it.
D Bravo to R Pant, Length delivery on middle, Pant nudges it towards square leg. The batsmen get two runs.
13.3 : D Bravo to R Pant, IN THE AIR AND SAFE! Short of a length delivery, Pant goes across and pulls it over mid-wicket. It lands in no man's land. The batsmen pick up a couple.
13.4 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Amazing shot from Shikhar. Short and outside off, Dhawan cuts it through point for a boundary.
13.5 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Full toss on middle, Dhawan drives it past the bowler through mid on for a boundary.
13.6 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, Short delivery on leg, Dhawan pulls it towards square leg for a run. Expensive over from Dwayne Bravo. 17 runs have come from the over.
Harbhajan Singh is back on.
14.1 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Short, quick and outside off, Shikhar mistimes the punch shot a bit square on the off side.
14.2 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Goes down the ground. Smacks it through to long on and gets off strike.
14.3 : H Singh to R Pant, Turning away from outside off, slightly shorter in length, Pant slaps the cut to sweeper cover for one run.
14.4 : H Singh to S Dhawan, Steps out of the crease and places it through covers for a single.
14.5 : H Singh to R Pant, Wide! Big swing from Pant. Misses the ball though. It spins a long way away, across the tramline, wide signalled.
H Singh to R Pant, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
14.6 : H Singh to R Pant, SIX! What power from Rishabh Pant. Wow. He may be little in size, but he surely packs a punch. A bit short around off, Pant smokes it over wide long off and clears the leaping fielder comfortably.
15.1 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, Back of a length, angling in on middle and leg, it's pulled in front of square leg for a single.
15.2 : D Bravo to R Pant, Wide! Angles it down the leg side, wide signalled by the umpire.
D Bravo to R Pant, OUT! GONE! Bravo with a big wicket. Rishabh Pant is out of here before he was able to unleash himself like last time. Good captaincy and good bowling from Dhoni and Bravo. A length ball angling in on middle and off, Pant moves across a bit and plays the pick up shot over square leg, one of his favourite areas. There is a man out there. Thakur moves to his right from backward square leg and takes a good catch diving low. Chennai will rejoice, they know how dangerous Pant
Strategic break. Also, Colin Ingram is the next batsman in.
15.3 : D Bravo to C Ingram, Off the mark instantly. Full delivery and it's drilled down to long on for a couple of runs.
15.4 : D Bravo to C Ingram, OUT! Ingram's extremely short stay has come to an end. Double strike from Dwayne Bravo. Full and just outside off, Ingram smashes this to the covers but can't keep it down. Hands a straightforward catch to Suresh Raina at extra cover and he takes a sharp catch there.
Keemo Paul walks out next.
15.5 : D Bravo to K Paul, Big shout for a leg before but the impact is outside off. Good call from the umpire. Paul walks across to this length ball and wears it on the pads. Chennai think of the DRS, but Dhoni decides against it.
15.6 : D Bravo to K Paul, Play and a miss. Back of a length outside off, Paul looks to swipe this through mid-wicket but it goes under his bat. End of a superb over from Bravo.
Ravindra Jadeja returns to the attack.
16.1 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Some flight on this, Dhawan steps out to this and slogs it through wide mid on for one.
16.2 : R Jadeja to K Paul, Quick and flat outside off, kept out off the back foot.
16.3 : R Jadeja to K Paul, OUT! Bowled 'em! A little bit of turn, a little bit of pace and Keemo Paul departs without making any case. Landed on off, it spins away slightly with some pace. Paul backs away a little to push it away on the off side but gets beaten by those two factors. He's beaten past the outside edge and the stumps behind are disturbed.
Axar Patel to bat next.
16.4 : R Jadeja to A Patel, Full on the stumps, Patel plays it through towards wide long on for a single.
16.5 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Fifty up for Shikhar Dhawan! 33rd in this competition. It's taken some time for it to come, but it's come, and he's the key now for Delhi if they are to get to a decent score. He pulls it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second.
16.6 : R Jadeja to S Dhawan, Full and it's swept through the leg side. One run to end the over.
17.1 : D Bravo to S Dhawan, OUT! 3-fer for Bravo. He's got the key man for the home side. It needed Dhawan to be there till the end, this isn't good for them. Full and just outside off from around the wicket, Shikhar moves across and tries to loft it over the leg side. It goes off the top edge though and skies towards square leg. Thakur out in the deep settles under the ball and takes a good catch. Four wickets have fallen in the last 12 ball for Delhi. Their innings is crumbling here.
0.0 : Rahul Tewatia is the new man in.
17.2 : D Bravo to A Patel, Outside off on a good length, Patel plays and misses.
17.3 : D Bravo to A Patel, Flicks this full ball to deep square leg and gets to the other end.
17.4 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, Serves it outside the line of off stump, Tewatia can't get bat on ball.
17.5 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, Short of good length on off stump, pulled through the gap in the leg side for one run.
17.6 : D Bravo to A Patel, Back of a length outside off, cut hard just wide of point for a single.
Shardul Thakur is called back on.
18.1 : S Thakur to A Patel, Length delivery quite close to off, Patel gets an inside edge back onto his pads.
18.2 : S Thakur to A Patel, Moves inside the line of this one and wrists it through square leg. One run to the total.
18.3 : S Thakur to R Tewatia, Slightly ahead of a length, on off stump, Tewatia makes room and hits this hard. Straight to mid off though who is at the edge of the ring. The batsmen manage to steal a single.
18.4 : S Thakur to A Patel, Angling in on leg stump, Patel looks to play it on the leg side but it goes off his thigh pad. A leg bye taken.
18.5 : S Thakur to R Tewatia, Another single. Just 4 conceded so far, good one from Thakur. It's pulled down to fine leg. Can he finish well?
18.6 : S Thakur to A Patel, FOUR! He cannot finish well. A boundary to end the over. It's too straight, on the leg stump, Patel pulls it fine down the leg side and finds the fence with ease. This is the first boundary since the 15th over.
19.1 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, Length delivery around off, Tewatia slaps this past the bowler, down the ground towards long on. The batsmen take two runs.
19.2 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, FOUR! Poor ball and it's been put away. A loopy full toss on the stumps, Tewatia moves across and paddles it past the diving Shane Watson at short fine leg. After the ball is past him, there's no stopping it.
19.3 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, Short ball and it's been pulled away on the leg side. A run is collected.
19.4 : D Bravo to A Patel, Back of a length outside off, Axar slices it down to third man aerially. It goes on the bounce to the fielder as the batsmen cross over.
19.5 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, Tries to be innovative but fails to execute his shot. Full and slow, well outside off, Tewatia moves a long way across to paddle it fine down the leg side. Misses it altogether.
19.6 : D Bravo to R Tewatia, Full delivery aiming the base of off stump, Tewatia sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. DELHI FINISH ON 147/6!
Outstanding comeback from Chennai. The average score at this venue is 163, so it's safe to say this is a below par total from Delhi. They would be a little disappointed with this, especially after opting to bat. They got off to a decent start, and had solid partnerships after that too, but never got going due to the slow nature of the pitch and wickets falling at regular intervals. Pant was threatening to go ballistic again but Bravo took control of things in the second half of the innings and e
Dhawan did score a fifty, but it didn't come quick enough, and more importantly, he lost his wicket at a crucial time, which was the crucial moment in this innings. Had he stuck till the end, things might have been much different, come the end of the 20 overs. One more crucial factor was that the hosts lost 4 wickets in the space of 12 balls, which really hampered the momentum Pant had given them. Now, despite all this, the chase isn't going to be easy by any means, as the wicket is only going t
Dwayne Bravo with an interview alongside Kevin Pietersen, he begins by saying that the wicket is two-paced and change of pace is crucial as a bowler. Feels that the Powerplay is important and the chase will not be a walk in the park, but if they bat well, they can win. Dwayne mentions that he bowls late in the game because of the team combination. He adds that there is no specific favourite suit and he loves both batting and bowling. Signs off by saying that they should get the points here as lo
Join us for the second half of this game in a short while. It will be an interesting one for sure. Chennai will have their work cut out. Don't go anywhere...
0.0 : We are back for the chase. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu the openers for Chennai. The Delhi side is in a huddle before the head to their fielding positions. 147 to defend, Ishant Sharma with the new ball in hand. Let's play!!!
0.1 : I Sharma to S Watson, Starts off with a ball on the money on a length outside off, Watson pushes it towards extra cover, feeling the ball on bat.
0.2 : I Sharma to S Watson, Slightly farther outside off, this time Watson cuts it away to third man for a single. Chennai and he are off the mark.
0.3 : I Sharma to A Rayudu, FOUR! Bahubali start for Rayudu! Fullish outside off and Ambati leans into the drive. Manages to find the gap on the offside. The ball races away through covers and finds the fence. Imperious timing!
0.4 : I Sharma to A Rayudu, Better from Ishant. A length ball and closer to the off stump. Rayudu stands tall and defends it onto the surface.
0.5 : I Sharma to A Rayudu, DROPPED! Has that carried? Yes, it has and Rayudu has been dropped early in the innings. A length ball outside off, looks like Rayudu wanted to run it down to third man but a thick outside edge sees the ball carry to the left of Dhawan at first slip, albeit very low. Shikhar gets his left hand to the ball but cannot hold on. The ball runs to third man for a single. Could prove to be a huge let-off!
0.6 : I Sharma to S Watson, On a length outside off, Watson guides it down to third man for a single to end the over. He retains strike.
Axar Patel to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : A Patel to S Watson, FOUR! Axar is welcomes with a booming punch off Watto's bat. Bowled flatter outside off, Watson powerfully punches it away through the offside and pierces the gap. No stopping those!
1.2 : A Patel to S Watson, This one is a tad fuller and on middle, defended off the front foot to cover.
1.3 : A Patel to S Watson, FOUR! Second of the over! Too short from Axar, Watson rocks back, waits for the ball and pulls it away through the vacant mid-wicket region. No chance for the fielder in the deep to come around, the placement is good.
1.4 : A Patel to S Watson, Huge turn! A flighted ball on off, Watson looks to come on the front foot and slog the ball but it grips off the surface and turns big to beat the bat. Delhi will love that sight.
1.5 : A Patel to S Watson, Quick single! A fuller ball on off, Watson pushes it to mid on and sets off for a quick single. Slight confusion out there but the batsmen make it in easily in the end.
1.6 : A Patel to A Rayudu, Shorter and quicker on middle, Rayudu stands tall and defends it onto the surface.
2.1 : I Sharma to S Watson, Short and outside off, Watson looks to pull but gets a bottom edge on this one. It goes to covers.
2.2 : I Sharma to S Watson, FOUR! Terrific shot from Shane Watson. Full length delivery on middle, Watson flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
2.3 : I Sharma to S Watson, Tight run but Rayudu is inside. A length ball on top of off stump, Watson drops the ball on the surface and sets off for a single. Rayudu responds and gets inside on time as Ishant runs to the ball and picks it up before hitting the stumps. Good running that but good agility from Sharma as well.
2.4 : I Sharma to A Rayudu, OUT! The first one falls! Rayudu has been bounced out here, Ishant with some fiery pace and bounce. A short ball at 141.2 clicks, bowled at the batsman's chest. Rayudu looks to pull but is too late into the shot. The ball gets really big on him and all he can do is to lob the ball high off the bat to Shreyas Iyer who comes in from mid off and takes a simple catch. Delhi get the breakthrough they would have desperately wanted early on!
Suresh Raina is the new batsman in.
2.5 : I Sharma to S Raina, Off the mark straightaway! Fuller one outside off, Raina pushes it to the left of mid off and gets to the other end.
2.6 : I Sharma to S Watson, Watson works this length ball to deep mid-wicket and picks up a run to end the over and keep strike.
Kagiso Rabada is into the attack.
3.1 : K Rabada to S Watson, Really full and pacy! 146.7 kph! Watson keeps it out with a good defensive stroke though.
3.2 : K Rabada to S Watson, Short of a length on middle, Shane Watson defends after getting on his toes.
3.3 : K Rabada to S Watson, Good ball! In the blockhole at 148.1 clicks! Watson gets his bat down in time and keeps it out towards mid on. 3 dot balls.
3.4 : K Rabada to S Watson, Ouch! Off the glove, that must have hurt! A short of a length ball aimed at the batsman's body. Watson looks to push it towards square leg but the ball rises towards the handle and catches Watson on his glove before he can react. Drops safely to the off side though.
3.5 : K Rabada to S Watson, FOUR! That is not what Delhi would have wanted! After 4 dot balls, Rabada strays down the leg side and sprays this on Watson's strong area. The batsman glances it really fine and manages to get the pressure off!
3.6 : K Rabada to S Watson, SIX! Typical fast bowler's response but Watson has seen enough of this in his career. A bouncer on middle, Watson just uses the pace and even though he top-edges his pull, he will pick up a maximum. Almost 146 clicks, and the ball carries all the way over fine leg. 10 runs off the over after 4 dot balls to start with.
4.1 : I Sharma to S Raina, FOUR LEG BYES! That's gone fine. Raina moves inside the line as it's landed on a back of a length on middle, looks to flick but it goes off the thigh pad and across the fine leg fence.
4.2 : I Sharma to S Raina, Back of a length around leg, Raina comes down the track and mistimes the slog over the bowler's head. Single taken.
4.3 : I Sharma to S Watson, Cutting back in from a good length, on middle and leg, Watson works it off the pads to square leg for a quick single.
4.4 : I Sharma to S Raina, FOUR! All about the timing that one. Terrific shot from Suresh Raina. He once again moves inside the line of this back of a length delivery, gets on top of the bounce and helps the pull through square leg for a boundary.
4.5 : I Sharma to S Raina, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. Short and some width on offer outside off, Raina stays leg side and carves it over point. No stopping that one, hit too well.
4.6 : I Sharma to S Raina, FOUR! Make that three in a row. The 50 is up for Chennai. This is just clubbed. What a hit. Length ball on off, Raina slogs it through the mid-wicket area to end the over in style. Massive over for Chennai, 18 runs have come off it.
5.1 : K Rabada to S Watson, Coming back in on middle and leg, Watson flicks it on the leg side for a run.
5.2 : K Rabada to S Raina, FOUR! Around the wicket to Raina and the southpaw gets another boundary. He's playing the shorter balls well here. Too straight in line, he uses the angle into him and works it through backward square leg for a boundary.
5.3 : K Rabada to S Raina, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, it's pushed to the cover region.
5.4 : K Rabada to S Raina, Full ball on the pads again, flicked to the man at deep backward square leg. Just a single this time.
5.5 : K Rabada to S Watson, Full and straight, attacking the stumps, Watson brings a straight blade down in defense.
5.6 : K Rabada to S Watson, Dot ball to end the over. Watson works it square on the leg side for one. That's the end of the Powerplay. Delhi were 43/1, while Chennai are 58/1. The visitors well ahead at the moment.
Amit Mishra comes on to bowl.
6.1 : A Mishra to S Watson, Tossed up on middle and leg, Watson gets low and sweeps it fine down the leg side, beating short fine leg. Two runs to the total.
6.2 : A Mishra to S Watson, SIX! BANG! Watto takes the attack to the leggie and gets maximum runs. Steps out to this floated ball and smokes it straight back, hitting the sightscreen. A clean hit.
6.3 : A Mishra to S Watson, Quicker one on off, Shane tries to play but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
6.4 : A Mishra to S Watson, SIX! Second of the over. A poor delivery from Mishra. It's a slow track, the shorter ones will be put away without doubt. Watson rocks back to this one and muscles the heave deep into the mid-wicket stands. With this, the 50-run stand comes up.
We're getting a replacement ball in. After Watson hit the last one a long way away, it hasn't come back.
A stumping appeal. Pant looks confident. Is Watson gone? Could be a big moment in the game.
6.5 : A Mishra to S Watson, OUT! Mishra does have the last laugh. A bit sloppy from Watson though, not the kind of delivery he'd have wanted to get out on. Tossed up leg break well outside off, he looks to go big downtown but the ball spins away and goes across the tramline. The batsman's back leg drags out and Pant, seeing this, whips the bails off quickly. It's taken upstairs and replays show Watson is gone for all money. Wide signalled, but Delhi won't care. Chennai need 75 runs to win in 80 b
Strategic break signalled by the umpire. Also, Kedar Jadhav is the next batsman in.
A Mishra to K Jadhav, Quick, flat and on the stumps, Jadhav stays on the back foot and plays it back to the bowler.
6.6 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, An lbw appela from Mishra but it's sliding down. Bowls the flipper on leg and Jadhav misses his defense. The line was a little too straight. 15 runs and a wicket off this one, an eventful over to say the least.
Rahul Tewatia to bowl now.
7.1 : R Tewatia to S Raina, Tossed up leg break outside off, Raina leans ahead and eases it to long off for a run.
7.2 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, FOUR! A half-tracker in line of the stumps, Jadhav rocks onto the back foot, has a lot of time as he pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
7.3 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, The quicker one on the stumps, Kedar shifts on the back foot again before blocking it out.
7.4 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, Works this away on the leg side and gets to the other end.
7.5 : R Tewatia to S Raina, Goes on straight as it's bowled just outside off, Raina helps it through the mid-wicket region for one more.
7.6 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, Flights it right up there, around off, the right-hander flicks it in front of square leg for a single.
8.1 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Full and on the stumps, worked away on the leg side.
8.2 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Short and wide outside off, turning away, Jadhav cuts it towards sweeper cover and jogs across to the other end.
8.3 : A Mishra to S Raina, Spinning in a touch after landing outside off, Raina waits for it, opens the face and runs it down to third man. Single to the total.
8.4 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Extremely full on leg, it's turned off the pads behind square leg. Another run collected.
8.5 : A Mishra to S Raina, Looks to go big but isn't able to nail his shot. Tossed up, it's in the slot for Raina, he gets low to bring out the big slog sweep but it goes off the inner half on the leg side. A single is taken.
8.6 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, A bit quicker through the air, around off, Kedar Jadhav blocks it with the full face of the bat.
9.1 : R Tewatia to S Raina, SIX! Connects with it this time. What. A. Hit. The moment he sees the flight on this one, Suresh Raina jumps out and smokes it high and handsome over the mid-wicket boundary for half a dozen.
9.2 : R Tewatia to S Raina, Goes with the spin and wrists it towards mid on. The batsmen cross over.
9.3 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, Quick, full and flat outside off, Jadhav plays it out off the front foot.
9.4 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, FOUR! Deft. Jadhav plays this late. Waits for it and then opens the face of the bat to run it past short third man. Finds the fence without any trouble.
9.5 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, Sliding in on leg stump, keeps going down with the angle, catches Jadhav on the pads as he tries to put bat on ball.
9.6 : R Tewatia to K Jadhav, In the air but safe! It's floated up, Jadhav kneels down to sweep it away but gets it away off the top edge towards short fine leg. Iyer from first slip runs after it but can't get under it. Single taken.
10.1 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Leans ahead and wrists it against the spin fine down the leg side. Easy single for Kedar.
10.2 : A Mishra to S Raina, OUT! Raina is gone! Mishra using all his experience and bringing it into play. Raina was looking so good, got out against the run of play. He doesn't pick up the wrong 'un as he back away to push it on the off side. The ball takes the edge and Pant behind takes a sharp catch. The visitors need 50 to win in 58 balls.
MS Dhoni to be the next batsman in for Chennai.
10.3 : A Mishra to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Streaky runs as MS Dhoni gets off the mark. Short and outside off, Dhoni goes back to cut but it goes off the edge and past short third man, all the way to the boundary line.
10.4 : A Mishra to MS Dhoni, Tossed up on the stumps, Dhoni looks to flick but it goes off the pads on the leg side. A quick leg bye is stolen.
10.5 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Quicker and on the stumps, it goes off the inside edge down towards short fine leg and the batsmen take a single.
10.6 : A Mishra to MS Dhoni, Short and flat around off, Dhoni goes back and slaps it to long on. One run to end the over.
Keemo Paul introduced into the bowling attack.
11.1 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Edgy! A slower one, short and outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it and inside edges it past his stumps to short fine leg.
11.2 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Angling down the leg side, on a length, Dhoni flicks it through square leg for a single.
11.3 : K Paul to K Jadhav, Deceived completely! Short delivery, wide outside off, Kedar picks it late and ends up offering no shot to it.
11.4 : K Paul to K Jadhav, Bangs in a short ball again, this one is straighter in line and Jadhav pulls it down to fine leg for one.
11.5 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Slower one, on a length and staying low, Dhoni pushes it out from the crease to extra cover.
11.6 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, A back foot punch this time right through the gap between covers and point for a single. 40 needed off 48 runs, in no hurry these two. They have planned many chases together for India in the recent past. Certainly know how it's done.
Axar Patel is back on.
12.1 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Starts with a flatter and shorter delivery outside off, Dhoni slaps it to sweeper cover where Rabada misfields and they pick the second run.
0.0 : Appeal for a run out! No real conviction in the appeal but still it has been referred upstairs...
12.2 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Not out! Waste of time and technology, Jadhav is well in, by a big margin too. A tossed up ball around off, Dhoni eases it off his front foot to covers and rushes across to the other end. The fielder fires in the throw and Pant breaks the stumps. It's taken upstairs but to no use.
12.3 : A Patel to K Jadhav, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
12.4 : A Patel to K Jadhav, The batsman has played the paddle sweep fine down the leg side. They pick up a single.
12.5 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Skidding down the leg side, Dhoni fails to put bat on ball and is hit on the thigh pad.
12.6 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Leans forward and pushes it to covers. 7 from the last two overs. Slow going but there is really no need to go hard.
13.1 : K Paul to K Jadhav, The batsman gets a bottom edge! The keeper gathers it on the bounce.
13.2 : K Paul to K Jadhav, Action replay of the previous delivery. A little bit of width outside off, slower in pace, Jadhav tries to guide it down to third man but gets a bottom edge behind to the keeper.
13.3 : K Paul to K Jadhav, Uses his wrists this time and works a length ball in front of square leg for a run.
13.4 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Chance of a run out! Back of a length ball on off, Dhoni stays back and punches it towards backward point. Jadhav wants a run and rushes out but MSD sends him back. Axar fires his throw at the bowler's end but misses and now they cross for an overthrow. The replays show that Kedar was safely in.
13.5 : K Paul to K Jadhav, PUT DOWN! A real tough one but you need to take those at this level. Short in length at 121.6 kph, Jadhav fetches it from outside off and plays a cracking pull shot across the line. Dhawan at mid-wicket times his jump well but fails to catch it over his head. They take a brace.
13.6 : K Paul to K Jadhav, Oversteps and bowls it on a length around off, Kedar blocks from the crease. Called a no ball.
Free Hit time...
K Paul to K Jadhav, Nothing much from a Free Hit... Drags a full length ball down to long on for a run.
14.1 : A Patel to K Jadhav, Width on offer outside off, it's run down to third man for a run.
14.2 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Leans forward and pushes a full ball to covers.
14.3 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Quicker, flatter and shorter on off, Dhoni goes back to cut but finds the short third man fielder.
14.4 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Arm ball on middle, skidding in, MSD keeps it out off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.
14.5 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Four dots now! Shortish and on off, Dhoni punches but finds the cover fielder this time.
14.6 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Picks up a single off the last ball. Dhoni gets back and eases it to covers for a run. 28 needed off 30 balls.
Kagiso Rabada returns into the attack. Is it too late or the South African speedster can still do some magic? He has troubled MSD in the past with his pace.
15.1 : K Rabada to MS Dhoni, Short and wide outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it and cuts it through point for a single.
15.2 : K Rabada to K Jadhav, On a length around off, Jadhav stays back and chops it down to third man for one.
15.3 : K Rabada to MS Dhoni, Back of a length ball on off at 142.8 kph, Dhoni is on the back foot on his one leg as he strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
15.4 : K Rabada to K Jadhav, A slower short ball around off, at 118 kph, Kedar pulls it down to long on for a single.
15.5 : K Rabada to MS Dhoni, A good bouncer around middle and leg at 145 kph, Dhoni allows it go to the keeper. Nothing from the square leg umpire.
15.6 : K Rabada to MS Dhoni, Yet another short ball, this time it's around off at 142 kph and Dhoni rides the bounce before pulling it to deep square leg for a run.
Strategic break. Easy going for Chennai, 23 more needed off 24 balls and unless something extraordinary happens like yesterday's game, the visiting team is taking all the three points.
16.1 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Bowls it flat and short on off, MS cuts it but finds the point fielder.
16.2 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Walks forward to a full ball and flicks it straight to mid-wicket. Two dots. Dhoni is taking this deep.
16.3 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, A back foot punch to a short ball but he finds the cover fielder. 23 needed off 21 balls.
16.4 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Quicker and shorter on off, punched again but not in the gap. The extra cover fielder did the fielding.
16.5 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Advances down the track and forces it back to the bowler. Five dots. Maiden?
16.6 : A Patel to MS Dhoni, Nopes, not a maiden! Axar drags his length short on off and Dhoni drags his pull shot down to long on for a single.
Keemo Paul is back on.
17.1 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, An unnecessary run conceded. Short and wide outside off, Dhoni cuts it to Axar Patel at short third man. He moves to his left, collects and throws it at the striker's end, even after Jadhav has made it in. Misses and the batsmen take an extra run.
17.2 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Outside off, played to point for a single.
17.3 : K Paul to K Jadhav, Jadhav drives this full delivery a little square through cover-point. One more run to the total.
17.4 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Wide! Hurled too far outside off, across the tramline, Dhoni lets it go. Wide called by the umpire.
K Paul to MS Dhoni, Full and wide outside off, Dhoni lets it go once again. This time, however, the ball stays inside the tramline. No wide given.
17.5 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Can't give a batsman of his quality that much room. Paul serves it on a length outside off and Dhoni cuts it fiercely through the covers, beating the man in the deep.
17.6 : K Paul to MS Dhoni, Good running. Short of a good length outside off, MSD punches it through the covers. Runs the first one hard and is able to come back for the second as a result. 11 needed to win off 12 balls.
Amit Mishra comes back on to bowl.
18.1 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Quick and flat just outside off, Jadhav punches it back to the bowler. A dot ball to begin things.
18.2 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, A lot of air on this as it's pitched outside off, full in length, Jadhav drags this as he places it through mid-wicket. Wide long on moves across to his right and keeps the batsmen to just the one.
18.3 : A Mishra to MS Dhoni, Quicker through the air, outside off, Dhoni stays back and hits it aerially to long off, on the bounce, for a run.
18.4 : A Mishra to K Jadhav, Jadhav too goes down the ground, finds long on and takes one.
18.5 : A Mishra to MS Dhoni, SIX! Dhoni tees up and that's more or less the game for Chennai. The skipper goes downtown. Clears his front leg as it's tossed right up and smokes it straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum. Just 2 needed now off 7 balls.
18.6 : A Mishra to MS Dhoni, Quick, short and flat on middle, MSD goes back and works it straight to short mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to bowl the final over.
19.1 : K Rabada to K Jadhav, OUT! Oh... a wicket for Rabada off the first ball. Interesting. A loose delivery outside off, some extra bounce. Jadhav goes after it and pokes at it. Gets a faint nick behind and the keeper does the rest. Still very much Chennai's game, for now.
Dwayne Bravo walks in next.
19.2 : K Rabada to D Bravo, Dot ball. Ooohhh... Short of a good length outside off, Bravo looks to cut this through the off side but fails to connect. Some extra bounce and zip once again for Rabada.
19.3 : K Rabada to D Bravo, Third dot in a row. Hurled further outside off, Bravo looks to cut and misses once more. Pressure building. Dhoni has a word with Dwayne. Probably just telling him to tap and run.
19.4 : K Rabada to D Bravo, FOUR! There it is! Bravo manages to get bat on it and sends the ball to the boundary line. CHENNAI WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Dwayne moves inside the line of this back of a length delivery and whips it through backward square leg stylishly.
So a comfortable-ish end for Chennai as they bag their second win of the season in as many games. Chasing a target of 148 was never going to be any trouble for them. After Watson's start and Raina's brisk knock, the game was more or less sealed. The rest to follow didn't have to do much, just keep the scoreboard ticking and get over the line. Barring Rabada's final over, there was never any sign of nerves or trouble in the Chennai camp.
Delhi needed to start off well, and even if that didn't happen, at the very least capitalized on the advantageous moments. You'd have thought that moment would have come after Raina's wicket, but the Chennai middle order kept a sensible head over their shoulders and saw their side home. Earlier in the day, Delhi were going along well, but in a period where they lost 4 wickets in 12 balls, proved to be the pivotal reason in their downfall. They posted a total on the board which eventually didn't
Delhi captain, Shreyas Iyer, says that for a new batsman the pitch was really tough to get going. Mentions that he's usually good against spin, but found it difficult and even cites Rishabh Pant's difficulty in scoring freely as an indicator of this tricky surface. Informs that the slow nature of the pitch was the reason he decided to bat first. Continues saying that if they had done better in the Powerplay with the ball, maybe things would have turned out different. States that there are still
Kedar Jadhav is caught for a chat. He says that the wicket was a little bit on the slower side, so it's difficult to know how to go about your work. States that he feels disappointed that he couldn't finish things off with the bat, but stresses the chase was always in control, so there was no cause for worry. Reckons that everyone knows what's to be done out there and if their batsmen bat the entire 20 overs, they feel confident of getting over the line. On retaining the title, he says it's too
Chennai captain, MS Dhoni, says it looks okay as of now (on the team composition). Adds that the wicket was slow but they knew the dew would come into play later on. Credits his bowlers for restricting Delhi to just 147. Continues to say that they have covered all the areas, are preparing well, and also mentions that he rues the loss of Lungi Ngidi. Honestly accepts that they're not a very good fielding side as there are quite a few older players, but they are adjusting well in other areas which
Man of the Match, Shane Watson, says the surface was better than the one in Chennai. Is happy he was able to score some runs tonight. States that he was suffering from a few niggling injuries, so is happy he's fit and able to contribute to the team. Ends by saying that he's delighted to be back in the Indian T20 League, in the Chennai camp, as he loves the positivity around.
So, we're done with this one, but we move on to the next. On Wednesday, 27th March, Kolkata welcome Punjab to Eden Gardens. The action starts at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Do join in for that. Goodbye and take care!