| 0.0 : ... MATCH DAY ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to everyone for the coverage of Qualifier 1 between Delhi and Chennai in Dubai. It's been a blockbuster season so far, full of fun and drama, and we're expecting the climax to be equally exciting. Eight teams have been trimmed down to four and the top two are going to lock horns this evening. There's nothing much to differentiate between the two teams and let's hope for a close contest. So, pick your favourite and enjoy the ride. |
| Chennai are following an unwanted 3-match losing streak and that's the most common point mentioned in the build-up to this game. That's true but one can't really judge Chennai's form based on the last few games. They're the 3-time champions and the point worth remembering is that Chennai unlock their beast mode in the playoffs. Hence it's needless to read too much into their last three defeats. As Dhoni had said, they need to fine-tune a few areas before the playoffs and expect them to do that i |
| Over the years, Delhi were criticized for being inconsistent and often were the punching bags for other teams. Things though have changed drastically in the last few editions. They finished third in 2019, second in 2020 and are the table-toppers in the ongoing season. The graph of Delhi has steadily gone up and their aim this time would be to go the distance and taste glory. Against Chennai, they're on a roll, winning the last four matches, and it's no mean feat to achieve. Another stat though s |
| 7/10 - Dubai has been a venue for the chasers in this edition. Seven teams have won batting second in the last ten night games and dew often plays a factor. Toss is going to be crucial! |
| Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa and Matthew Hayden are the pitch inspectors for the evening. The former starts by informing that the square boundaries are shorter on one side and longer on the other. Hayden reckons that this surface is looking better than the one where Delhi faced Bangalore in the last league match. Mentions that there is less grass and it is dry. Reckons that the cracks haven't come into play because this is only the third time that this pitch is being used. Adds that 160 is th |
| TOSS - Both the captains are out in the middle. Pant flips the coin and Dhoni calls correctly. Chennai have elected to BOWL first. |
| Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood. |
| Delhi (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Tom Curran (In for Ripal Patel), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan. |
| MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai, says that in whatever games they have played so far at this venue, they feel it helps the bowlers as it stops a bit initially but adds that it no way eases out a lot and it is still a tough wicket with no exact pattern. About the mentality to play the playoffs, MS Dhoni replies that they try to keep things simple irrespective of whether it is a playoff match or any other one and adds that they just try to analyze where they can improve. Informs that Chennai are |
| Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they have batted first enough to be able to go out and set a target but if given the choice, he would have bowled first as well. Admits that he is a bit nervous. He mentions that there is one change in the XI with Tom Curran coming in for Ripal Patel. Adds that when you play one team again and again and get a few wins on the trot, it helps your confidence but they cannot take this match lightly. |
| 0.1 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Starts with a slightly short delivery, around off and moving away, Shaw punches from the back foot but finds the fielder at cover-point. |
| 0.2 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Back of a length, on middle, Shaw stays back and wrists it in front of square leg for a run. Delhi are underway. |
| 0.0 : We are ready for play. The umpires stride out to the middle followed by the players of Chennai. Out come the openers for Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Deepak Chahar has the new ball in hand. Here we go... Hang on, Deepak probably loses his run-up and pulls out. Take 2! |
| 0.3 : Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, On a good length, around middle and off, Dhawan sticks back inside the crease and plays it down towards backward point. |
| 0.4 : Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Chahar goes very full and wide outside off and gets away with a bad ball. Dhawan drives square of the wicket but finds the point fielder. |
| 0.5 : Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan is off the mark now! Chahar delivers it on a length around middle, Dhawan eases it towards square leg and scampers across to the other end. |
| 0.6 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, 3 runs from the opening over! Around off on a length, Shaw turns inside the crease and works it to deep mid-wicket. There is a fielder manning that region and hence only a run. |
| 1.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Josh Hazlewood is quite straight with his line first up, on a length, Prithvi Shaw flicks it on the leg side but finds the fielder inside the ring at mid-wicket. |
| 0.6 : Josh Hazlewood to steam in from the other end. |
| 1.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Big shot attempted but it's not in the gap. Back of a length and outside off, at 144 kph, Prithvi Shaw tries to pull but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid-wicket. |
| 1.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Off the top edge! A 141 kph short delivery outside off, Prithvi Shaw again tries to pull from the back foot but this time it grabs the top edge and flies behind the keeper for a boundary. |
| 1.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Josh Hazlewood hits the deck hard and clocks 132.9 kph, it's on a length around off and Shaw drops it with gentle hands towards mid-wicket. They pinch a quick single. |
| 1.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, It's served on a good length, around middle at 139.6 kph, Dhawan walks across the stumps and nudges it behind square leg for a single. |
| 2.1 : Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Slower and short around off at 118.7 kph, Dhawan hangs back and taps it down to cover-point for a run. A nice approach, Dhawan will accumulate runs and Shaw will attack. |
| 1.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, SIX! Another edgy shot and this one has gone the distance. Short and around leg, angling down at 132 clicks, Prithvi Shaw swivels to pull but top-edges it behind the keeper for a biggie. Nothing wrong in the over from Josh Hazlewood but still he has conceded 12 runs. |
| 2.2 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Prithvi Shaw is the master of edges this evening. Back of a length, around off, Prithvi Shaw stays back to smash it over the leg side but drags it off the inner edge past short fine leg. Another boundary. |
| 2.3 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Sweetly timed. This one is right from the middle of the bat. Fractionally short and around off, Prithvi Shaw rocks on the back foot and punches it through point for a boundary. |
| 2.4 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Chahar pitches it up and around off, Shaw plays a mistimed on drive to mid on. |
| 2.5 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Boundaries are flowing from the bat of Shaw. The line from Chahar is quite ordinary. It's on a length around middle and leg, at 118 kph, Shaw glances it behind square leg and beats the chasing short fine leg fielder. |
| 2.6 : Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Very poor from Chahar. Offers width outside off, short in length, Shaw latches onto it and whacks it through backward point for yet another boundary. 17 from the over and Delhi are off to a flying start in Qualifier 1. |
| 3.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan joins the fun. Fuller in length and on middle, Shikhar walks down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 3.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Josh Hazlewood responds with a wicket, a big scalp for Chennai as Dhawan departs. Hazlewood shows that the Test-match length can work in T20s as well. Puts it on a good length around off, gets it to nip away a shade at 144.7 kph, Dhawan is caught on the back foot as he tries to push it through the line. A thick outside edge gets generated and Dhoni does the rest behind the wickets. |
| 3.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, On a length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it with an angled bat to point. |
| 3.2 : Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat at number 3. A slip in place. |
| 3.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Full and around off, angling in at 140.4 kph, Iyer defends it back to the bowler. |
| 3.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Pitches it up and outside off, Shreyas drives it through the line. The cover fielder misses it as he dives but Faf du Plessis has it covered, after running across to his left from mid off. |
| 3.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Bowls it on a length and in the line of the stumps, Iyers steps back to make room but pushes it towards point. Great over from Josh Hazlewood, 4 runs and a wicket from it. |
| 4.1 : Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, SIX! Prithvi Shaw has nailed it! A touch short in length outside off, Shaw attacks it with all his might and dismisses it all the way over deep mid-wicket. Prithvi Shaw will continue to play his shots, that's his role. |
| Here comes the first change in bowling. Shardul Thakur comes in to replace Deepak Chahar. |
| 4.2 : Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, On a length around middle, Shaw closes the face of his bat and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single. |
| 4.3 : Shardul Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Fantastic stop by Ravindra Jadeja! Short in length and wide outside off, Iyer cracks it off his back foot to backward point. Jadeja dives across to his right and takes the pace off the ball. He parries it to point and they cross for a run. |
| 4.4 : Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! Fuller and wider outside off, Shaw chases but misses. |
| 4.5 : Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, SIX! Dismissed with a straight bat. Quality strike from the young man. Fuller and around off, Prithvi Shaw shows tremendous bat speed as he launches it behind the bowler for a biggie. 50 up! |
| 4.6 : Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, PUT DOWN! A very tough chance but MS Dhoni would be disappointed with himself. Slower delivery, short and wide outside off, Shaw tries to play the ramp shot but it takes the toe end of the bat and flies behind. Dhoni dives across to his right but only manages to get his fingertips on it. He deflects it to short third man. Has stopped a certain boundary. |
| 5.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Shortish and on middle, worked on the leg side but not in the gap. |
| 5.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Chance of a run out, missed. Angling into the batsman, Shreyas helps it off his pads to square leg and looks for a run. He is mid-way down the track but is sent back. Iyer slips a bit as he turns but reaches safely as Moeen misses his shy at the striker's end. |
| 5.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! Second wicket for Josh Hazlewood as Shreyas Iyer is CAUGHT! Another delivery is angled on middle and leg at 136.8 kph, sliding down further, Shreyas Iyer tries to flick but closes the face of his bat early. The leading edge flies towards covers, Ruturaj Gaikwad moves across to his right from point, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes the skier safely. |
| 5.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Fuller and outside off, Shaw drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a single. |
| 5.3 : Axar Patel has been promoted up the order and comes in at number 4. |
| 5.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Axar Patel, On a length around middle, played out from the crease to the leg side. |
| 5.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Axar Patel, Around middle and off, on a length, Patel works it to mid-wicket but not in the gap. Another excellent over from the Aussie. Just 1 run and a wicket from it. At the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 51/2. |
| 6.1 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Flatter ball, angling on the pads. Prithvi Shaw works it to short fine leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Ravindra Jadeja comes on to bowl now. |
| 6.2 : Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Quicker delivery, outside off, at 93.4 kph. Axar Patel works it to long off for one. |
| 6.3 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Tad short from Ravindra Jadeja, outside off. Prithvi Shaw nudges it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 6.4 : Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, FOUR! Full and wide, outside off. Axar Patel slices that one over point. Dwayne Bravo runs to his left to stop the ball but misfields and allows the ball to go over the ropes. A boundary. |
| 6.5 : Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Flatter delivery, on middle. Axar Patel tries to work it on the leg side. He gets a leading edge to cover-point and the batters pick up a single. |
| 6.6 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, On middle, Prithvi Shaw tucks it to mid-wicket for a run. |
| 7.1 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Loopy ball, on middle. Prithvi Shaw defends it to mid-wicket off the front foot. |
| 6.6 : Spin from both ends as Moeen Ali is brought into the attack now. |
| 7.2 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw pushes the ball towards covers for a single. |
| 7.3 : Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Flighted delivery, around off. Axar Patel works it down to long off for another single. |
| 7.4 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Full and on off, Prithvi Shaw knocks it back to the bowler. |
| 7.5 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Flighted ball, on off. Prithvi Shaw eases it towards long on for a run. |
| 7.6 : Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Slower through the air, on middle. Axar Patel stays deep in the crease and works it through mid-wicket for a single. A tidy over from Moeen Ali. Only 4 runs from it. |
| 8.1 : Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Outside off, Axar Patel punches it down to long on for a single. |
| 8.2 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Finds the gap! Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw sits deep in his crease and carves it through backward point for a boundary. He reaches his fifty as well. What an attacking display it has been from the youngster so far! |
| 8.3 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja again bowls it short, outside off. Prithvi Shaw cuts it but chops it straight to short third man. |
| 8.4 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Beautifully played! Very full and on the stumps, Prithvi Shaw gets down on one knee and belts that one between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 8.5 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Slower delivery, on middle. Prithvi Shaw works it to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 8.6 : Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Full and around off, Axar Patel pushes it back to the bowler. 10 from this over. |
| Strategic Time-Out! Wow! It has been a fascinating first nine overs here. Prithvi Shaw looked edgy at the start but has brought up a classy half-century and has kept Delhi on the front foot. For Chennai, it has been Josh Hazlewood who has been the star, as he has sent two experienced batters back in the hut. Will Shaw keep up the good work or will the spinners of Chennai make some inroads? |
| 9.1 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw goes back and drops the ball on the leg side for a single. |
| 9.2 : Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Floats it up, on middle. Axar Patel smashes it off the back foot towards long on for a single. |
| 9.3 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Fuller, on middle. Prithvi Shaw eases it down to long on for a run. |
| 9.4 : Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, OUT! CAUGHT! Moeen Ali gets the breakthrough. The idea of promoting Axar Patel up the order doesn't work. Moeen Ali drops the ball short and outside off, Axar Patel goes on the back foot and tries to pull. The ball though goes off the top edge towards long on. The substitute fielder, Mitchell Santner, settles himself under it and grabs the ball without any fuss. |
| 9.5 : Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Tosses it up, on middle. Prithvi Shaw knocks it down to long on for a single. |
| 9.4 : The skipper, Rishabh Pant comes in at number 5. |
| 9.6 : Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Risky run! Slower and outside off, Rishabh Pant pushes it towards covers for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had the ball hit the stumps, Rishabh Pant was a goner! |
| 10.1 : Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on off. Rishabh Pant works it to long on. He crosses ends. |
| 10.2 : Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, OUT! TAKEN! You cannot keep Ravindra Jadeja out of the game, can you? He always delivers for his team, be it with the ball, bat, or in the field. This time he bags a wicket and removes the dangerous Prithvi Shaw. Jadeja tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw makes room for himself and plays an inside-out shot. He gets enough contact but just not enough to clear the ropes. Faf du Plessis at long off runs to his left and completes the catch with a perfectly-ti |
| 10.3 : Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Short and outside off. Rishabh Pant pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 10.4 : Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Fraction short yet again, outside off. Rishabh Pant cuts it towards sweeper cover for one. |
| 10.2 : Shimron Hetmyer comes in to bat with Delhi on the back foot. |
| 10.5 : Ravindra Jadeja to Shimron Hetmyer, Plenty of confusion between the batters but no harm done in the end! Full and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it in front of square leg and crosses for a run. Moeen Ali there misfields and then throws the ball in the middle of the pitch. Both the batters think for the second run as the backup fielder misfields this time but ultimately they decide against taking any risk. After all the drama, it's just one run added to Delhi's total. |
| 10.6 : Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant nudges it on the leg side for a single. Top over from Jadeja! |
| 11.1 : Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Full and on middle, pushed down to long on for a run. |
| 11.2 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Short and on off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it to mid-wicket for one. |
| 11.3 : Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Short and outside off, Rishabh Pant pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 11.4 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 11.5 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Tosses it up, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drives the ball down the ground to wide long off for another couple of runs. |
| 11.6 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer plays it straight to extra cover on this occasion. Another tidy over from the offie. |
| 12.1 : Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, on middle and leg. Rishabh Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 12.2 : Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Short ball, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer mistimes his pull to deep square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Deepak Chahar (2-0-20-0) has been brought back into the attack. |
| 12.3 : Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, on off. Rishabh Pant tucks it to mid-wicket. Deepak Chahar quickly runs to that side and collects the ball. Keeps it down to a single. |
| 12.4 : Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Attempted short ball, way too outside off. Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone. Wided. |
| Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Fuller in length, on off. Shimron Hetmyer defends it to mid-wicket. |
| 12.5 : Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Short of a length, on middle and staying low. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it towards deep square leg. He rotates the strike by picking up a single. |
| 12.6 : Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant taps it towards backward point for a single. A good comeback over from Deepak Chahar. |
| 13.1 : Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, On middle and Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. Jadeja runs across to his left in the deep and fires in a rocket throw to the keeper. Pant wanted one more run but Shimron Hetmyer showed his back. |
| 13.2 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! Bang! This is dragged down from Moeen Ali. Shimron Hetmyer rocks back and gets enough power on it to clear the mid-wicket fence and it's a welcome biggie for Delhi. 100 up! |
| 13.3 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Flatter delivery, on off, Shimron eases it down to long off for a single. |
| 13.4 : Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, On the pads and Pant goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square leg for a single. |
| 13.5 : Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Sliding down the leg side and this is flicked to deep backward square leg for another one. |
| 13.6 : Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! A quicker delivery fired in down the leg side. Pant misses the flick and a wide is signalled by the umpire. |
| Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Slowed up and on off. Pant defends it out. 11 off the over, a good one for Delhi. 4-0-27-1, despite an expensive last over, Moeen finishes with brilliant figures. |
| 14.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, on middle and leg, asking Shimron Hetmyer to hit towards the longer side of the ground. Hetmyer swings it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : Dwayne Bravo is introduced into the attack. |
| 14.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, In the slot, on off. Pant can't get under it and hits it straight to mid off. |
| 14.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, On the pads and this is tucked away to deep square leg for one. |
| 14.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Seam up from Bravo and it's very full, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer opens the face of the bat and guides it to the third man fence. |
| 14.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Slower delivery, just 102.5 kph and on leg stump. Hetmyer blocks it out. |
| 14.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, around off. Hetmyer caresses it through cover-point for a run. |
| 15.1 : Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Thakur bangs in a short one on middle, a bit too high. Wided. |
| 0.0 : Shardul Thakur comes back on. |
| 15.1 : Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, on middle and leg. Hetmyer swings across the line but mistimes it to wide long on. They get a single. |
| 15.2 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, SIX! How has that gone the distance? A full toss, on off. Rishabh Pant looks to fetch it and whack it across but his one hand comes off the bat. The ball still goes high and handsome over the cow corner fence. Unreal! |
| 15.3 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Short and wide, Pant throws his bat at it and picks up a brace as the ball races towards deep backward point. |
| 15.4 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, Pant crunches it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 15.5 : Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, Thakur hits the length hard and Hetmyer looks to pull. The ball hurries onto him a bit and Hetmyer inside edges it towards short mid-wicket. They scamper through for a run. |
| 15.6 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! Thakur doesn't want to bowl into Pant's arc and understandably goes full and wide. This is just outside the tramline though. Pant leaves. Wided. |
| Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Thakur does get it full and wide this time but inside the guideline. Pant squeezes it to deep point for a single. 14 off the over. |
| Strategic Time-Out! Chennai bowled reasonably well in the last few overs but now Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer are looking to attack more. This pair is set and Delhi would be hoping for some fireworks at the death. How many runs can they add more to Delhi's total from here on? |
| 16.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Bravo sees Pant advancing and fires in a full and wide one. Pant manages to reach it and gets it through cover-point. They take a single. |
| 16.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Seam up from Bravo and this is short and wide. Shimron Hetmyer stands his ground and pulls it powerfully to the cow corner fence. The 50-run stand comes up! |
| 16.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full, on off. Hetmyer pushes it down to long off for a single. Good batting, rotating the strike right after the boundary. |
| 16.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Bravo gets in the yorker at leg stump. Pant gets a bit squared up as he looks to flick. The ball goes off the leading edge towards short third man. Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and saves a certain boundary. One run taken. |
| 16.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Pushed well wide outside off and this one is outside the tramline. Wided. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Full and straight, Hetmyer forces it through extra cover for a single. |
| 16.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! A streaky boundary for Rishabh Pant. Fullish ball, outside off. Pant throws his bat at it as he looks to go over covers. Pant gets a thick outside edge and it flies wide of Dhoni for a boundary at third man. |
| 17.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Full, on off. Shimron Hetmyer has nailed this one right back over the bowler's head for yet another boundary. Delhi are in ascendancy now! |
| 17.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Shimron Hetmyer, Full again, outside off. Hetmyer gets it through cover-point for a single. |
| 0.0 : Josh Hazlewood (3-0-17-2) comes back into the attack. |
| 17.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! A length ball, on off and around 142 kph. Rishabh Pant just whips it and the ball races to the left of the long on fielder, into the fence. 150 comes up! |
| 17.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Pant tries to be cheeky but misses. Outside off and Pant looks to reverse-scoop it over the keeper's head but fails to connect. |
| 17.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Aerial but safe! Full and wide from Hazlewood. Pant throws his bat at it but doesn't time it perfectly. The ball drops in no man's land at sweeper cover. The fielder cuts it off, keeping it to a couple. |
| 17.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Very full, on off. Pant bunts it out on the off side and sets off for a quick run. 12 off the over, 39 in the last three. |
| 18.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! That is a poor delivery from Dwayne Bravo. This is pushed way outside the off stump line and Pant leaves it alone. Wided. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, SIX! Another one-handed shot. Bravo looks for the blockhole but misses and Rishabh Pant takes full advantage. Pant gets enough on it yet again and the ball just sails over the long off fence. Maximum. |
| 18.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Where has the bat gone? Pant has lost the bat completely but gets the connection alright. The bat flies to the leg side, the ball gets lofted to deep cover. Deepak Chahar tries his best to catch it in the deep, by diving forward, but it falls marginally short. Chahar does well to prevent the boundary. Â Only a run in the end. |
| 18.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Just over. On off and Hetmyer just manages to clear Moeen Ali at mid off with his lofted shot. They race back for the second as the fielder cuts it off around the wide long off fence. |
| 18.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! CAUGHT! Dwayne Bravo has his man but probably the damage is already done. Bravo bangs in a short one, on off and angling across the left-hander. Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and looks to pull on the leg side. He ends up skying it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Ravindra Jadeja settles under it and takes a fine catch. Shimron Hetmyer has to depart after stitching a crucial partnership. |
| Tom Curran is the next batsman in. |
| 18.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Fullish ball, on off and at just 99.8 kph. Pant heaves it down to long off for a single. |
| 18.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Tom Curran, Brilliant yorker from Bravo, right on the money. Tom Curran can't do much about it apart from digging it out. As we say, it all happens in the 19th over. 11 runs and a wicket from it. |
| 19.1 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Pant couldn't make up his mind in time as to which shot to play. A slower delivery, around off. Pant looks to lap it over the keeper but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 19.2 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, Thakur gets it perfectly well inside the tramline. Pant can't get to it and it's another dot ball. |
| 18.6 : Shardul Thakur to bowl the final over. |
| 19.3 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Third dot on the trot in the final over! Very full, around off and Pant thumps it to covers but finds the fielder inside the circle. |
| 19.4 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Edgy boundary but Pant won't mind as he moves to 47 with that. Very full and outside off. Pant looks to crunch it through covers but gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball racesaway to the fine leg fence. |
| 19.5 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Another full and wide one, Pant creams it towards sweeper cover and Faf du Plessis is a bit sluggish in getting to it. This allows Pant to come back for the second with ease. |
| 19.6 : Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Excellent bowling! Very full, on middle and Pant can't get under it. He drills it down the ground to long on and they race back for the second. The skipper gets his fifty as well in the end. Delhi finish with 172/5! |
| Not a desired finish in the last over but still, Delhi have posted a very strong total on the board. Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer were brilliant during their partnership and helped Delhi in recovering from a precarious situation. Chennai would be a shade disappointed as they had Delhi under the pump but couldn't maintain the pressure for long. |
| It was the Prithvi Shaw show for Delhi at the start. The young man started by playing a few edgy shots but soon got into his zone. He plundered some boundaries and provided Delhi with a brisk start. The problem though was that he was the lone one scoring runs as the rest either struggled or got out. Eventually, Shaw also was caught in the 11th over and the runs dried up as the Chennai spinners choked the flow of runs. The pair of Hetmyer and Pant though got together after that and injected some |
| Right then, Chennai need 173 to get a straight entry into the final. They have firepower in their batting but they depend too much on the top two. Their middle order has been shaky and Delhi have the arsenal in their bowling attack to take them down. Should be a riveting chase. Stay tuned... |
| ... THE RUN CHASE ... |
| Josh Hazlewood (4-0-29-2) comes up for a quick chat. The Aussie says that the score is just about par. Feels that the ball was sliding well and batting got a bit easier towards the end. Mentions that it's just about mixing up your lengths and pre-empt what the batters try to do. States that the dew is setting in and thus, the wicket should get better to bat on. Jokingly says that he hopes he doesn't get to bat. |
| 0.1 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai are away! Anrich Nortje begins with a shortish delivery just outside off, at 145 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it down to third man and opens his account. |
| 0.2 : Anrich Nortje to Faf du Plessis, A brisk run and Faf du Plessis also gets off the mark. Fuller and on middle, at 147.6 kph, du Plessis stays deep inside the crease and bunts it towards mid on for a run. |
| 0.3 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Full and sharp, around leg, it's nudged down to fine leg for a single. |
| 0.4 : Robin Uthappa is called early into action. He is in at number 3. |
| 0.6 : Avesh Khan to steam in from the other end. |
| 0.4 : Anrich Nortje to Faf du Plessis, OUT! STUMPS SHATTERED! That's a snorter from Anrich Nortje, at 147.5 kph. He hurls it in the line of the stumps, du Plessis stays rooted inside the crease as he attempts to work it on the leg side. The ball lands, skids on at a brisk pace, beats the inside half of his bat and cannons onto the stumps. Anrich Nortje is all pumped up, a perfect start for Delhi! |
| 0.5 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! A confidence-boosting boundary for Robin Uthappa. Full and around off, at 148.8 kph, Uthappa leans into the drive and plays a sublime shot through covers for a boundary. |
| 0.6 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, At 142.9 kph, Nortje fires it in on middle, fuller in length, Robin pushes it with gentle hands to mid-wicket and picks up a run. Eventful first over from Anrich Nortje! |
| 1.1 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, Wide! Full but down the leg side, Uthappa tries to flick but misses. |
| Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! Deft! A touch short in length and outside off, Robin Uthappa stays on the back foot and at the last moment, he guides it fine down to third man for a boundary. |
| 1.2 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, Full and around off, Uthappa blocks it strongly to covers. |
| 1.3 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, On a length, around middle and leg, Robin tries to work it on the leg side but misses. It goes off his pads to mid-wicket and they cross for a leg bye. |
| 1.4 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mishit! Fullish and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his feet but yorks himself. He digs it out from the toe end of his bat to mid off. |
| 1.5 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Slower one, full and outside off at 122 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad is deceived a bit as the bat turns in his hands. It takes the inner edge and dribbles to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 1.6 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, Angling in around off, on a fuller length, Uthappa pushes it with soft hands to mid on and pinches a single. 8 from the over! |
| 2.1 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, On target, full and around off at 147.7 kph, Uthappa pushes it down to mid off and shouts 'wait in' and then no. |
| 2.2 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, A length ball, around middle and leg at 146.8 kph, Uthappa picks it off his pads and tucks it through square leg for a couple of runs. He is looking a lot better in this innings. |
| 2.3 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, Well played! On a length and around off at 140.1 kph, Robin opens the face of his bat and guides it to third man for a single. |
| 2.4 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Short and wide outside off at 144 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad is not trying to pull so far, just stays back and deflects it down to third man for one. |
| 2.5 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, Spears in a full ball around off at 147.6 kph, Uthappa is forward as he flicks it on the leg side. Finds short mid-wicket. |
| 2.6 : Anrich Nortje to Robin Uthappa, Beaten on this occasion. Sharp delivery again, short and outside off at 141.9 kph, Robin Uthappa camps back and tries to play the upper-cut but misses. Two excellent overs from Anrich Nortje! |
| An early change in the bowling as Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack now. |
| 3.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, SIX! Gaikwad was quiet for too long and decides to cut loose. A touch short and around off, at 139 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad advances down the track and towers it over the bowler's head for a biggie. He has knocked the stitches out of this one, with no respect whatsoever for a world-class bowler. |
| 3.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shortish and outside off, guided down to third man for a single. Sensible. |
| 3.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Robin Uthappa, Full and around off, angling in with extra bounce, Uthappa pushes it defensively to covers. It's in the gap and they cross. |
| 3.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Outside off, Gaikwad again uses the pace of the bowler and runs it down to third man for a single. |
| 3.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! Easy pickings! Very full and around leg at 145 clicks, Uthappa moves his back foot across and clips it neatly wide of short fine leg for a boundary. |
| 3.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Robin Uthappa, Back of a length, close to off, Uthappa eases himself on the back foot and dabs it to third man for one. 14 from Rabada's first. |
| 4.1 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, Flighted and full on off, Robin pushes it straight to extra cover. |
| 0.0 : Axar Patel comes into the attack now. |
| 4.2 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, Drags his length short and delivers it on middle, Uthappa goes back to pull but fails to pick the gap on the leg side. |
| 4.3 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, Three dots now. Fuller and on off, it's driven back to the bowler. |
| 4.4 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, Quicker through the air, short and on middle, Uthappa pulls it to the left of short fine leg for a single. |
| 4.5 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! Ruturaj Gaikwad gets one away! Floated one, full and around leg, Gaikwad steps back to make room and lofts it nonchalantly over cover-point for a boundary. |
| 4.6 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tossed up around middle, Gaikwad walks down the track and turns it off his pads. Finds square leg. Fine first over by Patel. |
| 5.1 : Avesh Khan (1-0-7-0) comes back into the attack. |
| Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, Clever slower one, at 119 clicks and outside off, Uthappa tries to slog it across the line but is early into his shot. |
| 5.2 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, SIX! This one has been dismissed. Fuller in length, around off at 137 clicks, Uthappa gets on the front foot and smokes it over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 5.3 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! Uthappa is looking in the mood. So refreshing to watch him bat in full flow. Slower delivery, full and around off, Robin picks it up and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 5.4 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, Back of a length, outside off, Robin tries to guide it past short third man but misses. He was looking to play the field there as that fielder was brought up after the boundary ball. |
| 5.5 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, SIX! Robin is on fire! Khan delivers it on a length and outside off at 133.4 kph, Uthappa stands tall, holds his shape nicely and bludgeons it down the ground over long on. |
| 5.6 : Avesh Khan to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! Robin Uthappa has arrived for Chennai! What a shot and what a knock from him thus far. Full and outside off, Robin attacks the room and rifles it over mid off. 20 from the over, Chennai have raced to 59/1 at the end of the Powerplay. 114 needed off 84 balls. |
| 6.1 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Angled into the pads and Ruturaj Gaikwad can't get it away. |
| 6.2 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Slowed up, on off and Gaikwad caresses it towards cover for a quick single. Tom Curran misfields and they get through easily. |
| 6.3 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, Dragged down, on middle and Robin Uthappa will be disappointed. Uthappa pulls it hard but straight to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 6.4 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Gaikwad uses his feet and eases it down to long on for another one. |
| 6.5 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, Flatter delivery, on middle. Uthappa goes on the back foot and pushes it down the ground for a single. |
| 6.6 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shortish ball, drifting onto the pads. Gaikwad tucks it behind the corner on the leg side and picks up a run. Axar Patel sneaks in another quiet over, just 5 from it. |
| 7.1 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Curran starts off with a length ball, well outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad swats it away towards deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 7.2 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, Nicely played. Length again, around off and Uthappa just guides it to third man for a single. |
| 7.3 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Curran hits the length hard and bowls it on the off stump line. Gaikwad looks to pull but mistimes it to deep square leg. They get another single. |
| 7.4 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, Slower one at around 107 clicks, bowled from the back of the hand. This is on a length, outside off and deceives Robin Uthappa completely. |
| 7.5 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, On middle and Uthappa works it through mid-wicket. They look for two but settle for the single in the end. |
| 7.6 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Slightly fuller and wider, Gaikwad dabs it down to short third man but can't get it past Kagiso Rabada over there. |
| 0.0 : Strategic Time-Out! A much-needed one for Delhi indeed. The players will now be able to take a breather. Such was an entertaining Powerplay from Chennai. Robin Uthappa just took off and didn't look back. He has powered Chennai to a brisk start and they will look to continue the momentum. Delhi would hope to get an early breakthrough after the break and put brakes on Chennai's innings. Tom Curran to bowl now. He is wearing a black armband as today is the death anniversary of his father. |
| 8.1 : Ravichandran Ashwin to operate now. |
| Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, Sliding into the pads at 92.1 kph. Uthappa chips it towards long on for a single. |
| 8.2 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ruturaj Gaikwad almost walks past that one, cleverly bowled by Ashwin. Gaikwad steps out and Ashwin bowls it a little bit wider and slower. Gaikwad gets a leading edge towards covers and picks up a run. |
| 8.3 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, Slightly dragged down, on middle. Robin Uthappa rocks back and pulls it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket and gets a single. |
| 8.4 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Slowed up, on the pads. Gaikwad just nudges it with soft hands towards the mid-wicket region and they race back for the second. Good running. |
| 8.5 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Ruturaj Gaikwad, On the pads again and Gaikwad just dabs it down on the leg side for a single. |
| 8.6 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, Flatter one, on middle and leg. Uthappa flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for another one. |
| 9.1 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, A length ball, on off. Uthappa pushes it down to long on for a run. Both Gaikwad and Uthappa look comfortable out there and are just looking to keep the scoreboard ticking. |
| 9.2 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shortish delivery, on middle. Gaikwad heaves it down to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 9.3 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, Length again, this time around off. Uthappa opens the face of his blade and guides it down to third man for another one. |
| 9.4 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shortish ball, well outside off stump. Gaikwad fetches it and taps it straight to point. |
| 9.5 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Good looking shot for one. On top of off and swatted away to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 9.6 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, FIFTY! Slower delivery, well outside off and at 106.7 kph. Robin Uthappa slashes at it and gets it through cover for a couple. Brings up his fifty, off just 35 balls and what an impact he has had on this game so far! 92 needed more at the halfway mark. |
| 10.1 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Fired in, on middle and leg. Gaikwad wrists it through mid-wicket for a couple. Good running yet again. |
| 0.0 : Axar Patel (2-0-10-0) comes back into the attack. |
| 10.2 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, SIX! Just over! Nicely flighted, and slower through the air. Ruturaj Gaikwad reaches for it and lifts it just over Kagiso Rabada at the long on fence for a biggie. |
| 10.3 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! Patel goes full and straight now, Gaikwad swings through the line and thumps it back over the bowler's head for another boundary. That's straight as an arrow, no chance for the fielders in the deep. |
| 10.4 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, A touch short and wide, Gaikwad taps it to cover-point. |
| 10.5 : Axar Patel to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Flatter delivery, on middle. Gaikwad works it on the leg side and picks up a run. |
| 10.6 : Axar Patel to Robin Uthappa, A slider from Axar Patel, on middle. Robin Uthappa looks to flick but misses and the ball crashes into the pads. 13 off the over. 79 runs are required off 54 balls. |
| 11.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rabada gets it right in the blockhole at 142.4 kph. Ruturaj Gaikwad keeps it out. |
| 0.0 : Kagiso Rabada is brought back into the attack. He replaces Tom Curran. |
| 11.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shortish ball, outside off. Gaikwad makes room and carves it over backward point. Hetmyer runs across from the point fence and the batters go for the third run. They make it comfortably, brilliant running and Pant seems a bit annoyed with the fielding. |
| 11.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Robin Uthappa, A low full toss at 140 kph, Uthappa is early into the shot and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket. |
| 11.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Robin Uthappa, Full and around off, Uthappa pushes it to the right of the bowler. Rabada dives in but can't cut it off. They get a single. |
| 11.3 : Robin Uthappa is down on the ground. Seems to have hurt his hamstring while taking off for the third run on the second ball of this ongoing over. The physio is out, having a look. He is up on his feet now. We are set to resume. |
| 11.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, A short ball, well outside off. Gaikwad looks to fetch this one and pull it away but ends up completely missing it. |
| 11.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rabada rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it at 118 kph. This is around off and Gaikwad steers it to third man for a single. A good comeback over from Kagiso. |
| 12.1 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nopes. Gaikwad stays focused. This one is drifting onto the pads, Gaikwad works it in front of square on the leg side for a run. |
| 12.2 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! Cheeky from Robin Uthappa and he is just keeping up the ante. Flatter one, on middle and Uthappa reverse-heaves it over short third man for a boundary. |
| 12.3 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, FOUR! Clean as a whistle! Ashwin tosses this one up and Robin Uthappa just dances down the track and hammers it over the bowler's head. This is dead straight and the fielders in the deep have no chance. |
| 0.0 : Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on. He pulls out before delivering the ball at the end moment. Did that last time also and Ruturaj had responded by pulling back. Will he do that again? |
| 12.4 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, A touch shorter, on off. Uthappa goes on the back foot and cuts it behind point for a single. |
| 12.5 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ashwin bowls this one from behind the crease and lands it on middle. This one skids on and Gaikwad caresses it towards covers for a run. |
| 12.6 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa, This one is again bowled from behind the bowling crease and on off. Uthappa eases it down to long off for one. It's Nelson for 1 and Chennai require 62 runs off 42 balls. |
| 13.1 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, Fuller in length, outside off. Robin Uthappa looks to heave it away. The ball goes off the inside edge to short fine leg for a single. Avesh Khan has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Robin would have been a goner. |
| 13.2 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Length ball, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad drives the ball to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 0.0 : Strategic Time-Out! So, the equation is 62 from the last 7 overs and looking at how Robin Uthappa and Ruturaj Gaikwad are playing, Chennai should be able to chase it down without much fuss. Delhi, on the other hand, desperately need wickets if they want to keep the game alive. Tom Curran (2-0-10-0) comes back into the attack. |
| 13.3 : Tom Curran to Robin Uthappa, OUT! TAKEN! Tom Curran gets the breakthrough. Bangs in short and on middle, Robin Uthappa has an enormous swipe at it. The ball goes off the splice towards long on. Shreyas Iyer is stationed over there and he does take the catch. Axar Patel though comes running across to his left from deep mid-wicket and breezes past Shreyas Iyer. They do not collide but that makes Iyer lose his balance. Good presence of mind is shown by Shreyas though. He immediately tosse |
| 13.4 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Slower delivery, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad guides it to the third man region for a couple of runs. |
| 13.3 : Shardul Thakur has been propelled up the order and comes in at number 4. |
| 13.5 : Tom Curran to Ruturaj Gaikwad, A full toss, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it to mid-wicket for one. |
| 13.3 : Is that caught cleanly? The third umpire is called in action and he is now checking if Shreyas Iyer touched the rope or go over it with the ball in hand. The replay confirms that it's all good and OUT is what we can see on the big screen. |
| 13.6 : Tom Curran to Shardul Thakur, WIDE! Slower delivery, way too outside off. Shardul Thakur fails to reach and the umpire calls it a wide. |
| Tom Curran to Shardul Thakur, OUT! CAUGHT! Same bowler, same fielder. Tom Curran bowls a length ball, outside off. Shardul Thakur has a massive swing at it. He is too early though and the ball gets the height but not the distance. Shreyas Iyer at long on runs to his right and takes the simplest of catches. Two wickets in quick succession for Delhi. |
| 14.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Ambati Rayudu, Good-length ball, on off. Ambati Rayudu defends it towards covers. |
| 14.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Ambati Rayudu, Way outside off, Ambati Rayudu guides it to backward point. |
| 0.0 : Ambati Rayudu is the new man in. Kagiso Rabada (2-0-19-0) is brought back into the attack. |
| 14.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Ambati Rayudu, Full and on leg, Ambati Rayudu comes down the track and drives it to long on for a single. |
| 14.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, OUT! RUN OUT! What's happening out there? Suddenly, Chennai lose their fourth wicket in no time. What a turnaround from Delhi! Short of a length, on leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. The batters decide to go for the second run. Shreyas Iyer is on fire in the field. He attacks the ball in the deep, running in from long on and fires in a rocket throw to the bowler. Rabada collects, loses his balance a bit but still manages to t |
| 14.3 : Is that a run out? The umpires have gone upstairs and the replay shows that Ambati Rayudu is well short. OUT is the signal. |
| 14.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Very full, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad eases it down to long on for a single. |
| 14.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Moeen Ali, Mix-up but this time no harm is done. Short and wide outside off, Moeen lofts it over point and takes a single. He wants the second run also but is sent back. The throw comes to the bowler's end but it's too wide. Moeen returns home safely. |
| Moeen Ali is the new man in. |
| 15.1 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, Short of a length, on leg. Moeen Ali glances it to fine leg for a single. |
| 15.2 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Back of a length, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad goes deep in the crease and dabs it down to third man for a single. |
| 0.0 : Anrich Nortje (2-0-12-1) is back into the attack. |
| 15.3 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, Full and on the pads, Moeen Ali flicks it to mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, This time Moeen Ali whips it off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 15.5 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, FOUR! This will release some pressure! Short ball, on middle. Moeen Ali pulls it to deep mid-wicket. He fetches himself a boundary with that pull. |
| 15.6 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, Good comeback from Anrich Nortje! Bowls it full, very full, on middle. Moeen Ali jams his bat down in time. |
| 16.1 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Short of a length, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it over mid-wicket off the back foot for one. |
| 0.0 : Avesh Khan (2-0-27-0) is back into the attack. |
| 16.2 : Avesh Khan to Moeen Ali, A full toss outside off, Moeen Ali slashes it to deep point. He crosses ends. |
| 16.3 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Short of a length, outside off. Pulled to long on for one. Singles won't bother Delhi at this stage. |
| 16.4 : Avesh Khan to Moeen Ali, Fuller in length, wide outside off. Moeen Ali steers it to deep backward point for a single. 4 singles off the over so far. |
| 16.5 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! Poor ball from Avesh Khan. Bowls a full toss on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad shuffles across and clips the ball neatly between fine leg and deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 16.6 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Another full toss on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad heaves it to deep mid-wicket. He retains the strike by picking up a single. 35 needed from 18 balls. |
| 17.1 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! Gaikwad is the man for Chennai. Anrich Nortje starts with a full ball, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes it just wide of mid off. Shimron Hetmyer dives to his right but couldn't gather the ball. The ball races away to the long off fence. 400 runs in the UAE leg for Ruturaj Gaikwad. |
| 17.2 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Short of a length, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to slog it across the line but gets beaten. |
| 17.3 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Well executed yorker from Anrich Nortje, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad digs it out towards long on for a run. |
| 17.4 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, In the air, but safe! Short ball, on middle. Moeen Ali mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. Axar Patel runs ahead to take the catch but doesn't attack much and the ball lands just short of him. A single. |
| 17.5 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! Class, that's the word! Anrich Nortje sees Ruturaj Gaikwad charging down the track and bowls a full toss, outside off, in search of the wide yorker. Ruturaj Gaikwad slices it over backward point for a boundary. 600 runs in the season for Gaikwad! |
| 17.6 : Anrich Nortje to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Short of a length, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad swings across the line. The ball goes off the outside edge to third man for a single. 11 from the over, 24 needed off 12 balls. Anrich Nortje has bowled out now. |
| 18.1 : Avesh Khan to Ruturaj Gaikwad, OUT! TAKEN! Avesh Khan gets rid of the big fish and what a time to pick up a wicket. He bowls a low full toss outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad swings his bat hard. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. Axar Patel runs to his left and dives at full pace to take a fantastic catch. Ruturaj Gaikwad walks off the field after an impressive knock. |
| 0.0 : Who will bowl the penultimate over? It's going to be Avesh Khan (3-0-36-0). |
| 18.2 : Avesh Khan to Moeen Ali, FOUR! Well played by Moeen! A low full toss outside off, Moeen latches onto it with an angled bat and lofts it clinically over point for a boundary. |
| 18.3 : Avesh Khan to Moeen Ali, Full and outside off. Moeen Ali steers it to deep point for a single. |
| 18.4 : Avesh Khan to MS Dhoni, Lovely slower ball, outside off, at 123.4 kph. MS Dhoni goes for the pull shot but is beaten by the lack of pace. |
| 0.0 : MS Dhoni comes ahead of Ravindra Jadeja. Maybe, to maintain the left-right combination. |
| 18.5 : Avesh Khan to MS Dhoni, SIX! Vintage Dhoni! What a cracking shot, the crowd has gone bonkers! Short in length and around off, MS hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over wide long on for a maximum. |
| 18.6 : Avesh Khan to MS Dhoni, Slower ball again, outside off, at 123 kph. MS Dhoni has a swing across the line but misses. 13 needed from the final over. |
| 19.1 : Tom Curran to Moeen Ali, OUT! CAUGHT! The game still hangs in the balance. Tom Curran bowls a short-of-a-length delivery, on middle. Moeen Ali pulls it straight down the throat of the deep square leg fielder. Kagiso Rabada is stationed over there and he does not make any mistake. Tom Curran is pumped up. |
| 18.6 : Tom Curran has been given the responsibility to bowl the final over. |
| 19.2 : Tom Curran to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Wonderful from MS Dhoni! Short of a length, outside off. MS Dhoni jumps on his toes and whacks it over extra cover to collect a boundary. 9 needed off 4! |
| 19.1 : Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. But it will be Dhoni on strike. 13 needed off 5 balls. |
| 19.3 : Tom Curran to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Streaky but Chennai will take it with both hands. Length ball, outside off. MS Dhoni throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball goes off the inside edge, past the stumps, to fine leg for a boundary. 5 needed off 3! |
| 19.4 : Tom Curran to MS Dhoni, WIDE! Pressure, pressure, pressure! Curran goes full, but way too outside off. Maybe he wants to stay away from MS Dhoni's arc. He will have to reload again though. |
| Tom Curran to MS Dhoni, FOUR! MS Dhoni finishes things off in style. You have heard that before, haven't you? Curran bowls a shortish ball, on middle. MS Dhoni waits deep in the crease and clubs it past deep mid-wicket to seal the deal. CHENNAI WIN BY 4 WICKETS! |
| Right then, Chennai have booked their place in the final but Delhi are not out yet. They will unlock the benefits of finishing in the top two and will get a second bite at the cherry in Qualifier 2. But before that, we have Eliminator coming up on Monday between Bangalore and Kolkata. The action will begin at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers! |
| VINTAGE DHONI! Cometh the hour, cometh the Legend! 24 needed off 11 balls when MS arrived at the crease, Delhi were smelling blood after removing Ruturaj Gaikwad but Dhoni's whirlwind 6-ball 18 has taken Chennai into the final of the Indian T20 League 2021 - this is the ninth time they will be contesting for the coveted trophy. |
| What a sensational chase! A target of 173 against a well-oiled bowling unit of Delhi was never going to be easy. That became even tougher after losing the in-form Faf du Plessis cheaply. But this game was all about turning the clock back. Before Dhoni's cracking cameo, it was Robin Uthappa who set the stage on fire. Replacing Faf at the crease, he went berserk from the word go. Robin timed his shots beautifully and played some extraordinary shots. His presence allowed Ruturaj Gaikwad to settle |
| A couple of wickets fell in the 14th over which included the wicket of Robin Uthappa and that made the chase very interesting. A few wickets tumbled more, giving a sniff to Delhi and they started to claw their way back into the game. The departure of another set batsman in Ruturaj Gaikwad threw the game wide open but MS Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and took the chase by the scruff of its neck. 'Thala' as he is fondly called settled all the nerves in the camp with his calm p |
| Earlier in the match, it was a strong batting show by Delhi to put 172 on the board. Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant stroked fifties while the partnership between Pant and Shimron Hetmyer injected the momentum into Delhi's innings. It was a good finish from Delhi but they didn't get the desired result in the final over. Maybe, that cost them in the end. |
| Presentation time... |
| Man of the Match is Ruturaj Gaikwad! He says that they have to go through just normal routines. Mentions that every game is a new challenge and one has to start fresh every time. Informs that the Powerplay was a crucial stage and the wicket was holding up a bit. Tells that it was very easy to bat with Robin Uthappa. Adds that Dhoni encourages him a lot and he is looking to learn as much as possible from him. |
| Robin Uthappa comes up for a chat. Says that he is feeling very grateful and is happy to contribute. Informs that it's his son's fourth birthday and this knock is for him. Mentions that they knew they needed a good start and he just played on merit. Informs that there is nothing to worry about his injury, probably it's just a niggle and should be fine by the final. Tells that he just tries to focus on his routines and is very grateful that he could contribute tonight. Adds that this franchise is |
| Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi, says that it's very disappointing and it's hard to describe how they are feeling and all they can do is rectify their mistakes. Adds that the bowlers were bowling well throughout, especially Tom Curran, and that is why he was given the responsibility in the final over. Mentions that the score on the board was decent but the Chennai batters got off to a flier and that made the difference. Adds that they will learn from their mistakes and hopefully go on to win |
| MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai, starts by talking about his own innings. Says that it was a crucial knock, he felt it would be tough and wanted the batsmen to bat deep. Adds that as far as his knock is concerned, it was all about 'Watch the ball, hit the ball'. MS admits that he has not done enough this season so it was good to get that out of the system. On the move to promote Shardul Thakur, Dhoni replies that they are one side that hasn't done that often. Says that they even have Chahar w |
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