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CSK beat DC by 80 runs | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals, Highlights And Cricket Score 50th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: May 01, 2019 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
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Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Highlights And Cricket Score 50th Match - T20 Commentary
180 to win. Delhi or Chennai? The run chase begins soon...
Faf du Plessis is caught down for a chat with Lisa Sthalekar. He starts off by saying that it was important for Chennai to scrap it out at the start like the way they did because they have recently lost a lot of wickets in the Powerplay. He mentions that he and Raina did not worry about how many runs they got in the first six overs as they had a lot of hitters at the back end. Du Plessis informs us that they were just looking to set a platform for the guys later on to come and play freely. When asked about the pitch and conditions, he states that it was a bit of a struggle at the start and it was not easy to take toll of the Powerplay overs. He feels that early wickets could really help when they come to bowl. Talking about the total, he admits that it is a very good score if the conditions remain like this without much dew as the spinners could play a huge role then. Signs off by hoping that he can cap off the night with a few catches.
A mixed bowling bag from Delhi. They started nicely but then could not quite stem the run flow. Jagadeesha Suchith was highly effective upfront and finished with figures of 4-0-28-2 but the others suffered. Curiously, Amit Mishra did not bowl his full quota of overs in spite of conceding just 16 in his 3. Should he have been tried in the death overs where 91 were hammered?
First, Dhoni played second fiddle in a 43-run stand with Jadeja, scoring only 18 but after Jaddu got out, the skipper exploded. He was on 18 from 14 when Morris slipped in a high full toss - a beamer. From then, Dhoni's last few balls read - 6, 1, 0, 2, 4, 1, 6, 6 - 26 from his last 8. How many times have we seen the Chennai skipper hit a six on the final ball of an innings or match?
As mentioned in the previous text, Chennai got off to a sluggish start, losing Watson for a 9-ball duck but the 83-run stand between Raina and du Plessis brought them on track. However, with 2 wickets in the space of 9 balls, Delhi threatened to bounce back, only to be thwarted by King Midas himself.
4 overs - 7/1 - last 16 - 172/3! 91/2 in the last 6! Chennai, Chennai, Chennai, somehow, a way to score is found out by thy. There might be dew around but this is a tremendous score posted by the home side.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. SIX! Two sixes on the last 2 balls and Chennai almost touch 180! A poor ball to finish, short and around off, Dhoni pulls it over deep backward square leg. Shikhar Dhawan at the ropes leaps, tries for an ungainly catch but the ball is well over! CHENNAI FINISH ON 179/4!
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. SIX! THWACK! A short ball, outside off, Dhoni pulls it right from the meat of the bat and clobbers it over mid-wicket!
Trent Boult to Ambati Rayudu. WIDE! Bowls it wide outside off, Rayudu looks to drive but misses it. Rayudu steals a bye and takes a quick single. Pant behind the stumps has an underarm shy at the striker's end but misses, Dhoni would have still probably been in though. Boult looks a little hard done by there.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. Short delivery on middle, Dhoni looks to pull but does not get of the middle of the bat. It goes towards mid-wicket where Boult runs and stops it. The batsmen take a run.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. FOUR! The helicopter... does not fly but buzzes over. Still good enough. What power. Full and almost in the blockhole, Dhoni tries to bring out the helicopter shot but is not quite able to get underneath the ball. Still, with whatever part that he is able to get, Mahi smashes it straight back over the bowler and the ball runs down to the long on boundary.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. On a length on middle, Dhoni lofts it over mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. Full and outside off, Dhoni looks to go big but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the keeper.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. Gets away with a loose delivery. Full toss outside off, Dhoni drives it straight but straight to sweeper cover. Just a single but 18 have come from the over - 70 from the last 5.
FREE HIT COMING UP!
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. NO BALL, SIX! Dew, complains Morris to his captain. A high full toss, clearly slipping out of the hand, Dhoni is in no control and his bottom hand comes off the bat as he looks to pull. It flies over short fine leg and even clears the ropes!
Chris Morris to Ambati Rayudu. 150 up for Chennai. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Full on middle, Rayudu looks to go over mid on but gets a top edge. It goes towards mid on where it lands safely in no man's land. The batsmen take a run.
Chris Morris to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Another slower ball, short in length, Rayudu pulls it over mid-wicket. Jagadeesha Suchith runs to his right from deep mid-wicket and slides awkwardly but misses the ball.
Ambati Rayudu walks out to bat next.
Chris Morris to Ravindra Jadeja. OUT! Another stunning catch and Morris has his first! A length ball around off, slower in pace, Jadeja looks to slog but gets a top edge. Morris himself calls for it, running to his left and takes a brilliant catch. A decent 10-ball 25 cameo from Jaddu.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. Full toss outside off, Dhoni smashes it through covers for a single.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Unlucky for Morris. He goes full and fast and Dhoni swings hard. But the ball goes off the inner half of the bat and escapes between short fine leg and backward square leg! The stand is now worth 42 from 20 balls.
Trent Boult to Ravindra Jadeja. SIX! THUMP! 14, 14, 10, 14 - this is how the last 4 overs have fared. Another slower ball from Boult, full and outside off, but Jadeja picks it. Gets underneath the same and hammers the bones out of this one, clobbering it over long on! Jadeja has moved to 25 from 9 balls, in a stand of 38!
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. Good short delivery from Trent Boult. Bowls short of a length delivery on leg, Dhoni pulls it towards short fine leg where Amit Mishra does well to stop it with a dive. The batsmen take a run.
Trent Boult to Ravindra Jadeja. Full on middle, Jadeja drives it to long on for a run.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. Short delivery on leg, Dhoni pulls it towards short fine leg and takes a quick single.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. TOP EDGE, FOUR! Chennai are getting the runs now. A slower delivery, but short with fine leg up? All the best. Dhoni looks to pull but is early. However, the ball takes the top edge and goes over short fine leg!
Trent Boult to Ravindra Jadeja. Short of a length delivery, Jadeja pulls it through mid-wicket. First they take the single and suddenly Jadeja wants the second but Dhoni does the right thing in sending him back.
Trent Boult is back on. 2-0-2-0 so far.
Chris Morris to Ravindra Jadeja. Full and outside off, Jadeja drives it to long off for a run. 38 runs have come from the last three overs.
Chris Morris to Ravindra Jadeja. FOUR! Cheeky from Jadeja! Third man was up and the ball was on a length outside off. 'Sir' just opened the face of his bat at the last moment and guided it past short third man!
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. Full on middle, Dhoni drives it to long on for a run.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Poor bowling. Short and asks for trouble. Gets plenty of it. It is almost waist high and Dhoni has zero trouble in swivelling and pulling it behind square leg.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. On a good length on off, Dhoni plays it back towards Morris.
Chris Morris to MS Dhoni. Morris bowls it on a good length and outside off, Dhoni looks to go for a big shot but misses it.
Chris Morris returns. 2-0-19-0 as of now.
Axar Patel to Ravindra Jadeja. FOUR! Off the edge! Lucky for Jadeja. He jumps down the track and swings hard but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. It takes the outside edge and flies over Rishabh Pant's gloves to the third man fence. 28 from the last 2 overs!
Axar Patel to Ravindra Jadeja. DROPPED, SIX! Ordinary effort from Rutherford. Was he thinking about the ropes behind? Full and outside off, Jadeja gets down and mows the slog sweep. It is not a clean hit and Sherfane Rutherford has a chance running to his right from deep backward square leg. However, strangely, he looks to parry the ball away, instead of catching it, perhaps fearing that he might cross the rope. But the ball bursts through his hands and lands beyond the boundary!
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Short on off, Dhoni makes room and cuts it towards covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Ravindra Jadeja. Flighted delivery on leg, Jadeja tucks it towards square leg for a run.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Tossed up on middle, Dhoni punches it to long on for a run.
Axar Patel to Ravindra Jadeja. Floated delivery on leg, Jadeja flicks it towards square leg for a single.
Strategic break! Right then, Chennai have just lost the set batsman in Raina just after he got to his half-ton and that means two relatively new batsmen in the middle. That gives Delhi a good chance to slow down things a bit here and restrict the hosts. Dhoni and co. though would have other ideas. Which side will be happier at the end of the last five overs?
Jagadeesha Suchith to MS Dhoni. Tossed up on leg, Dhoni goes on the back foot and plays it back towards the bowler. Suchith finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-28-2. 14 runs have come from the over and a crucial wicket of Suresh Raina.
Suprise, surprise! Ravindra Jadeja walks out at number 5! Maybe to combat the slow left-arms and the leg-spinner.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. OUT! Dhawan takes a blinder! Boy, the Gabbar is roaring at the Chepauk. That too, with a smile. Tossed up outside off, lack of pace, Raina comes down the track and looks to swing hard but is done in by the lack of pace. He is not to the pitch of the ball but gets a leading edge. Initially, it seems like it will land safely but Dhawan runs back from point, keeps his eyes on the ball and then dives backward. Eventually, he takes it with his right hand and then falls on the ground. Gets up with a smile. Two quick wickets for Delhi. Is this where the game turns? Fine knock from the southpaw.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. Short and outside off, Raina cuts it to point.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. SIX! He leaps, he flies and ALMOST gets it! Trent Boult, take a bow. What a superlative effort. Full and outside off, Raina comes down the track and swings it over wide long on. It seems it is clearing the ropes but Boult races to his left, sticks his left hand out, leaps but the ball bursts through his hand and lands beyond the ropes. Boult smiles as his fielders applaud his effort. 100 UP FOR CHENNAI. Another 60 on the cards from here?
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. FOUR! FIFTY FOR RAINA! 37th in the League but 50th IN T20S! Is he back in form? Full and outside off, Raina comes down the track and smashes it straight back over the bowler for a boundary down the ground! Will we now see the aggressive side of Suresh?
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Full and outside off, Raina gets down and drags a sweep wide of mid-wicket.
Jagadeesha Suchith to bowl now.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Flighted delivery on off, Dhoni plays it back towards the bowler where Axar Patel does well to stop it with his left.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery from Axar Patel. Tossed up just outside off, Dhoni looks to drive but misses it due to the turn on this one. Pant whips off the bails in a flash.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. Short delivery, Raina pulls it through mid-wicket for just a single.
MS Dhoni walks out to bat amidst a huge roar from the Chepauk crowd!
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. OUT! Taken in the deep! The 83-run stand is broken and Faf is out of here. A wicket at the perfect time for Delhi. Faf and Raina were accelerating and this will put some sort of a halt to Chennai's hitting. Tossed up outside off, this is with a bit of less pace. 85.6 kph. Du Plessis comes down the track again and looks to go inside out but this time, he is not quite to the pitch of the ball. It hits the bottom of the bat and goes towards long off. It is actually a good catch but Dhawan has to cover some ground running sideways and then back. Eventually, he takes it and does a 'thigh-slap' towards the crowd.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. SIX! 'CATCH IT WITH A DIVE!' screams Simon Doull on air, to Lisa Sthalekar. That landed right in front of the commentary box. Full and outside off, du Plessis comes down the track and sends it flying down the ground!
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. On middle and off, pushed back to the bowler.
Axar Patel is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. On a length on off, du Plessis plays it towards point for a run. 12 runs come off this over, a good one for the hosts!
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. Short delivery, Raina pulls it through mid-wicket for just a single.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. Full on middle, du Plessis flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. SIX! THUMP! There comes the first six of the innings and for the first time tonight, the run rate goes above 6! A length ball outside off, Faf du Plessis backs away to the leg side, spots the change in pace and smacks it over extra cover! Faf moves to 31 from 36 balls and this stand is now picking up - 74 from 55 deliveries.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Faf looks to play at that but misses it.
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. Short delivery, Raina pulls it through square leg for a run.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. Full on leg, du Plessis looks to flick but gets it off his pads. It goes towards mid-wicket for a single. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Another rare boundary. Full and down the leg side, Raina gets down and sweeps it over a leaping Chris Morris at short fine leg. The South African leapt to his right but in vain.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Tossed up on off, Faf hits it over covers for a run. Shikhar Dhawan has to run a long way to his right and there is ample opportunity for the second but Raina is happy with one. Faf is not happy with his partner. He wanted the second...
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Floated delivery on off, Faf blocks it off his back foot.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Great stop by Colin Ingram. Floated on middle, du Plessis plays a sweep through mid-wicket. Colin Ingram in the deep puts in a dive and does well to stop it. He saves two runs for the team. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Tossed up on off, Raina drives it through mid off for a run.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Full and outside off, Raina drives it to covers.
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. Full on middle, Raina makes room and drives it through covers for a run.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. Great stop by Shikhar Dhawan. Short and outside off, du Plessis cuts it towards point where Dhawan does well to stop it with a dive to his right. The batsmen still pick up a single.
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. On a length on middle, Raina flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. WIDE! Bowls a short delivery wide outside off, Raina lets it go.
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. Full on leg, Raina flicks it towards fine leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Sherfane Rutherford to Faf du Plessis. On a length on middle, du Plessis flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Sherfane Rutherford to Suresh Raina. 50 partnership comes up between Suresh Raina and Faf du Plessis. They might now look to accelerate. Short delivery on leg, Raina nudges it towards square leg for a run.
Sherfane Rutherford into the attack now.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Full on off, Faf drives it to covers.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Flighted delivery on middle, Raina flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Floated delivery outside leg, Raina looks to sweep but misses it and gets hit on the pads. Mishra appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. An easy decision for the umpire as it was pitching outside leg.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Short and outside off, du Plessis cuts it towards point for a run.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Tossed up outside off, du Plessis drives it to covers.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Full on off, Raina drives it through mid off for a single.
STRATEGIC BREAK. So 7 from the first 4 overs - 43 from the last 5. Some sort of a recovery from Chennai. They are slowly trying to score freely but not entirely. Delhi might want to break this stand as quickly as possible, else the projected score of 125 might just swell to 150-plus.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. On a good length on off, du Plessis keeps it out.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! 50 up for Chennai. Morris is leaking runs here. A short ball, down the leg side, Faf swivels and pulls it to the fine leg fence! 1.5-0-19-0 so far for the South African all-rounder.
Chris Morris to Suresh Raina. Full and outside off, Raina drives it through point for a run.
Chris Morris to Suresh Raina. On a length on off, Raina plays it to covers.
Chris Morris to Suresh Raina. FOUR! THRASH! Raina is looking in solid touch so far. 29 from 17 so far. A length ball, around middle, Raina backs away and then hammers it straight back over the bowler's head. Mid on has no chance.
Chris Morris to Suresh Raina. Good ball from Chris Morris. On a good length on middle, Raina blocks it off his back foot.
Chris Morris returns. 1-0-10-0 so far.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for one more.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. That is a beauty. What a difference it makes when you slow down the speed. Mishra gives this plenty of flight, outside off, Faf looks to punch but is comprehensively beaten.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Full and fired around leg stump, pushed towards long on for a run.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, punched off the back foot for one.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
Amit Mishra to bowl now.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. Floated on middle and leg, Raina flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Faf du Plessis. Full on off, du Plessis drives it towards mid off for a run.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. Floated on off, Raina plays it towards point for a single.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. BEATEN! Tossed up just outside off, Raina looks to guide but misses it.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. IN THE AIR... SAFE! Flirting with danger, is Suresh. Comes down the track, does Raina, has a massive hoick, is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and gets a leading edge. The ball goes high in the air but luckily for the batsman, it evades Prithvi Shaw running back from point! Two runs taken.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. FOUR! CARESSED! Welcome into the attack, mate! Full and outside off, plenty of flight, Raina leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!
Jagadeesha Suchith is back on. 2-0-5-1 so far.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. Flicks this wide of mid on for a single. 20 from the final 2 overs of Powerplay, Chennai are 27/1. A sedate start.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Off balance but gets runs! Full and fired down the leg side, Raina gets down to sweep, loses balance but manages to get it past short fine leg for another boundary!
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. FOUR! A rare boundary. Not that bad a ball, fractionally short in length, but that is enough for Raina. He picks it up in a trice, goes back and punches it between cover and point.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. Drags it from well outside off and swipes it through mid-wicket for a single.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. Comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball. Mistimes it back to the bowler.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, punched towards cover.
Axar Patel to bowl as well.
Chris Morris to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Risky shot from Suresh Raina. Bowls it on a length and outside off, Raina looks to play away from the body but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary. 10 runs have come from the over. A much-needed over for Chennai.
Chris Morris to Suresh Raina. On a good length on off, Raina blocks it well.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. On a length on middle, Faf flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, du Plessis looks to go after it but misses it.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. On a good length on leg, du Plessis looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. Morris appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head. Probably it would have missed the leg stump. The ball rolls towards cover and Faf wants the single initially. Looking at that, Raina responds and almost comes halfway down the track. But then, the fielder comes charging in from cover and du Plessis stops. Raina has to stop as well, then reverse and run again. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Raina seemed to be in though.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! First boundary of the match and it releases the pressure for Chennai. Poor delivery from Morris. Full toss on leg, du Plessis flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.
Chris Morris to Faf du Plessis. On a good length on leg, du Plessis looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.
Chris Morris to bowl now.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. Floated on off, Raina guides it to short third man. 4 runs and a wicket have come from the over.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Faf du Plessis. Tossed up on middle, du Plessis easily flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Suresh Raina. Flighted delivery on middle, Raina tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Faf du Plessis. Tossed up on middle, du Plessis flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Suresh Raina walks out to bat at number 3.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Shane Watson. OUT! Straight to the man! There is only one man in the vast real estate on the leg side. And Watson has demonstrated excellent coaching skills with this catching practice drill. Short and outside off, Watto rocks back and pulls it away but the ball does not come on to the bat that well, nor does it bounce much. Hence, there is not much elevation either. It goes flat and straight to Axar Patel at deep mid-wicket who is waiting for it patiently. So the choke works. Chennai could not buy a run but Delhi have bought a wicket.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Faf du Plessis. Fired down the leg side, following the batsman, du Plessis makes room to the leg side and punches it wide of long on. He wants the second but Watson is happy with the single.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. BEATEN! Watson is beaten twice here. Again on a good length and outside off, Shane looks to defend but misses it due to the seam movement on this one. Just 3 runs have come from the first three overs. This is great stuff from Delhi.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Watson looks to defend but misses it due to the away movement on this one.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Full and outside off, Watson leans and drives it through the covers. Jagadeesha Suchith dives to his left and makes a wonderful stop.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. RUN OUT MISSED! Watson was gone for all money. Full on leg, du Plessis works it through mid-wicket. Watson is hesitant for the single as he does not know where the ball is, with Boult in his way. But eventually, Faf pushes him into it. Prithvi Shaw charges to his right from mid on and goes for a direct hit at the keeper's end but misses it. Replays show that Watson was a goner.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. On a length around middle, du Plessis comes down the track, trying to make his own pace but is cramped for room. Fends it to the leg side.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, barely comes onto the bat, Faf looks to punch but is early into the shot. Gets a bottom edge towards cover.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Shane Watson. That delivery hurried onto him. Floated on leg, Watson looks to defend but gets hit low on the pads. Good start from Suchith as well.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Shane Watson. Floated on middle, Watson blocks it off his back foot.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Shane Watson. Short on off, Watson makes room and cuts it to point.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Shane Watson. Flighted delivery on leg, Watson looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Faf du Plessis. Around middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Jagadeesha Suchith to Faf du Plessis. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Jagadeesha Suchith to bowl from the other end.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. A good start from Boult. Just a run from the opening over.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Around middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, Faf looks to drive but misses. Boult looks to appeal but then bails out.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Outside off, this time Faf pushes it towards point, sets off for a single but is sent back.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Full and outside off, nice cover drive but straight to short extra cover.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. A good nut to start. On a length outside off, holding its shape slightly, Faf plays inside the line, looks to defend but then attempts to take the bat away. So shall we call it a play and a miss? Or did he know what he was doing?
We are all set to begin here in Chennai! Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis are the two openers for the home side while Trent Boult has the new ball in hand for Delhi. Let's play!
Chennai XI - Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis (IN FOR MURALI VIJAY), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C/WK) (IN FOR DHRUV SHOREY), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja (IN FOR MITCHELL SANTNER), Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir.
Delhi XI - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Colin Ingram, Sherfane Rutherford, Axar Patel, Jagadeesha Suchith (IN FOR SANDEEP LAMICHHANE), Chris Morris (IN FOR ISHANT SHARMA), Amit Mishra, Trent Boult (IN FOR KAGISO RABADA).
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni feels that there is chance of less dew tonight as there is a lot of cloud cover. Mentions that they were looking to bat first anyway. Tells us that he is not 100 percent fit but he has learnt that is the case with most players playing international cricket. Informs us that there is a bit of weakness but no fever for last couple of days. He jokes that it might be a worry for the opposition if he coughs on them. Says that they have a number of changes that is with himself, Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja coming into replace Murali Vijay, Mitchell Santner and Dhruv Shorey.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer hopes for dew in the second innings. He states that they have 3 spinners and the wicket is dry right now so they would like to make best use of it. Informs us that their changes are Trent Boult and Jagadeesha Sucith coming in for Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma. Tells us that it is the issue of a stiff back with Rabada while a problematic ankle is troubling Ishant.
TOSS - Delhi win the toss and elect to bowl first.
PITCH REPORT - Graeme Swann with the pitch report tells us there is not a blade of grass on the surface, and that it looks absolutely bald with a lot of cracks all the way. He feels that the spinners will rule the roost. He informs us that the surface is rock hard. Swann mentions that the ball hitting the crack will turn big as the ball will grip. Reckons it is a typical Chennai wicket. Signs off by saying that the captain winning the toss would like to bat first and that if one scores 150-160, the spinners should come into play and the side defending should win 9 times out of 10.
It is Match 50 of the Indian T20 League between Chennai and Delhi in Chennai. Hello and a warm welcome to everyone. Both the teams would want to win this game to stay in the top two of the points table. MS Dhoni who missed the last game due to fever might play today's game if he recovers and it will be a major boost for them. On the other hand, Delhi would like to take revenge of the first match which they played against them in Delhi. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw will be the key players for them to give them a great start. The pitch will be on the slower side as the pitch starts turning from the first innings and sometimes gets worse in the second innings. What is in store for us? Stay tuned for the pitch report and the toss.
Right then! 6th consecutive win for Chennai over Delhi at Chepauk. Delhi's loss here means that Mumbai have a chance to go second, if they beat Hyderabad at the Wankhede on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Join us for that game. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
VICTORIOUS CHENNAI SKIPPER, MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI, HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. We have to wait for a while as the crowd is keeping on cheering. MS says that the crowd will stop eventually cheering because they have to listen to what he has to say. On batting in the last over, 'Thala' states that his idea in the final over is simple - See the ball, hit the ball. When asked why he made Rayudu run off a wide in the final over, he says that it was a pitch where it was easier for the set batsman to hit. Also slyly says that Rishabh Pant not taking the gloves off gave him an extra few seconds. While bowling in the second innings, Dhoni observes that there was not much dew and that meant that the spinners had extra help. Adds that there was no help initially but in the final parts of the game, the ball gripped really well. On Tahir's celebration, MSD says that he and Watson do not run to him as it is quite taxing to run to different parts of the ground. On his stumping, Dhoni says that tennis-ball cricket has helped him a lot but stresses that basics come first and then get to the advanced level. Adds that there can be a lot of mistakes if one tries to get to the advanced level directly. Feels really special to be called Thala everywhere down south, reckoning that the whole lot of supporters are incredible.
Ravindra Jadeja is up for a chat now. The all-rounder says that the wicket was turning and he was bowling in good areas. On Tahir, Jaddu says that he has been fantastic throughout the season, taking wickets when needed. Praises the trio of himself, Tahir and Harbhajan. Stresses that more effort needs to be put on bowling and skills basically at the nets. Describes Dhoni as Genius in one word. Adds that there is still one more game to go and wants to continue the winning momentum. Stresses that everyone is in good form, looking to take one game at a time.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer, says that the margin of defeat might affect them really badly, especially their net run rate. He feels that the way they batted was unacceptable. Reckons it was an amazing start by his bowlers in the Powerplay and they should have not let it slip away from there and should have curtailed Chennai, also mentioning that a 170-plus score was surely not par on that surface. He thinks that they started their batting also strongly but could not continue. Now he admits they have to come back better in the next game. When asked how he felt when he was stumped for the first time in 59 innings, Iyer praises MS Dhoni for his lightning stumping and that he was amazed when he got out. The Delhi captain feels that Rabada is an amazing bowler at the death and was definitely missed in this game but he had a slipped back and hence needed rest. Shreyas signs off by saying that they hope to be in the top 2 definitely, and would love to give his home fans some cheer for the last home game.
Sensational bowling display from the home side. The spinners spun their web through Delhi while Chahar had an off night. Bravo was okay in his 3-over spell. Probably, the middle order could have stood firm and applied themselves a bit more.
It was a slow, turning track on which Chennai rocketed to 179. Then, at 52/1 in the 6th over, it looked Delhi were making a fist of the run chase. But then, on came the spinners and that changed the game. Imran Tahir and Ravindra Jadeja - 6.2-0-21-7 combined! The visitors were given no space to breathe and once Dhawan departed, the team just crumbled like a house of cards. Captain Shreyas Iyer tried hanging around but with wickets falling all around him, he could do nothing much. Just 2 men managed double figures in the innings.
A massacre. 52/1 at one stage but then 99 all out. What a massive collapse - 9/47 in 86 balls. Chennai topple Delhi at the top and what is interesting is - the net run rates of both teams have swapped as to what they were before this match!
Imran Tahir to Amit Mishra. OUT! Caught behind! CHENNAI WIN BY 80 RUNS! Tahir gets 4 and the Men in Yellow are roaring. Tossed up outside off, Mishra looks to defend but the ball takes a thin outside edge and Dhoni does the rest. 2 stumpings and 1 catch to go with his unbeaten 44 earlier in the evening.
Imran Tahir to Amit Mishra. Tossed up outside off, Mishra looks to steer it to third man but is beaten by the big turn.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. Excellent yorker and kept out well! On the base of off stump, Mishra jams out towards the left of the bowler. A single taken.
Dwayne Bravo to Trent Boult. Boult has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. Mishra has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. FOUR! Oh no, Jadeja's effort in the deep goes in vain. A full toss on middle, Mishra whips it away towards deep square leg. Jadeja from deep mid-wicket runs and tries to keep it in unsuccessfully though.
Trent Boult is the number 11 batsman.
Dwayne Bravo to Jagadeesha Suchith. OUT! Run out! Watson making up for his zero with the bat on the field. He took a brilliant catch earlier and now an excellent direct hit. A length ball on off, Suchith pushes the ball towards the left of Watson at point. The batsmen have an indecision in the middle of the wicket and that extra second means Suchith will end up being short due to the direct hit.
Run out appeal! Direct hit from Watson at the bowler's end and the umpire has taken it upstairs. Suchith does not look too confident.
Dwayne Bravo to Jagadeesha Suchith. Bowled really full outside off, Suchith tries to drive but fails to put bat on ball.
Imran Tahir to Jagadeesha Suchith. A flighted googly outside off, Suchith comes ahead to defend but gets a thick outside edge that runs along the ground for a single towards short third man.
Imran Tahir to Jagadeesha Suchith. Pushes this flighted ball back to the bowler.
Imran Tahir to Jagadeesha Suchith. Short ball outside off and turning away, the southpaw defends the ball by standing in the crease.
Imran Tahir to Jagadeesha Suchith. Googly! Suchith does not pick it and ends up missing his drive by a huge gap.
Imran Tahir to Amit Mishra. Flighted ball on off, Mishra wristily pushes the ball towards long on for a run.
Imran Tahir to Jagadeesha Suchith. Flatter one on the pads, played fine on the leg side for a single by Suchith.
Strategic break! At the last strategic break, we had mentioned that this part of the game which Dhoni loves the most and we have seen why yet again! Delhi have lost 4 wickets since then and are in danger of conceding this game by a huge margin, which could end up affecting their net run rate massively and dent their hopes for finishing in the top 2 places. Chennai would love to pick the remaining two wickets as soon as possible and improve their own NRR. The match though surely looks like a done deal. Meanwhile, Imran Tahir is back into the attack.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. Length ball on middle, Mishra pats the ball towards short mid on where the mid-wicket fielder comes running and stops it. Dot ball again, 3 runs off the over.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. Excellent ball. A yorker wide outside off, Mishra misses the ball as he tries to jam it towards the off side.
Dwayne Bravo to Jagadeesha Suchith. Flicked away to deep square leg as this ball is on the pads. A single is taken.
Dwayne Bravo to Jagadeesha Suchith. Punched really well but straight to cover this time.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. Slower full toss on middle and off, Mishra adjusts really late and flicks the ball to square leg for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Jagadeesha Suchith. A length ball outside off, Suchith looks to punch it through covers but gets an outside edge that runs to third man for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to bowl now.
Harbhajan Singh to Amit Mishra. Full and outside off, Mishra looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the body. Just a run in his final over and Bhajji finishes off with figures of 4-0-28-1.
Harbhajan Singh to Amit Mishra. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Harbhajan Singh to Jagadeesha Suchith. Outside off, short in length, Suchith looks to cut but gets a top edge. It lands wide of point and the batsmen take a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Jagadeesha Suchith. Outside off, JS pushes it towards point and sets off for a single but is then sent back. A run out was on offer...
Harbhajan Singh to Jagadeesha Suchith. Outside off, Jagadeesha looks to cut but misses.
Harbhajan Singh to Jagadeesha Suchith. Full and outside off, Suchith lunges to defend but the ball spins away to beat the outside edge.
Amit Mishra is the new man in while Harbhajan Singh returns to finish his quota of overs. 3-0-27-1 so far.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. OUT! How wrong can I be? This man is a wizard and is faster than light. Shreyas Iyer is the man to walk back now and it would not be too off the mark to say that Delhi's final hope too vanishes with him. A flatter one on off, grips and there is quick turn which beats the outside edge of the Delhi skipper. Dhoni again collects and whips off the bails. And once more, the back foot is in the air as the replays come on. The big screen flashes out and Chepauk is bustling! Delhi have quite superbly slumped from 52-1 to 85-8! 2 runs and 2 wickets off this over from Jadeja, it has been his night!
Another stumping appeal! This one looks safe though...
Ravindra Jadeja to Jagadeesha Suchith. Really full and quick outside off, punched to deep cover for a single.
Jagadeesha Suchith walks out to bat now.
Ravindra Jadeja to Chris Morris. OUT! That's what flashes on the big screen. Dhoni is lightning quick and you do not lift your foot against him. Morris is a goner, a first-ball duck for him. A flatter one outside off and turns sharply to beat the outside edge of Morris as he looks to defend. He though ends up lifting his back foot and Dhoni whips off the bails in a flash. The replays roll on and lo and behold, the foot is in the air. 7 down!
Howzzaaat? Shouts Dhoni. Has Morris left his ground? Is he stumped? Referred upstairs... MS looks confident and when he does... it is normally...
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Pushed wide to the left of the bowler for a single down the ground.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Another flatter one on middle, Shreyas comes ahead to defend but the ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Flatter on middle, punched to cover by Iyer.
Chris Morris is the new batsman in. Also, Ravindra Jadeja is back into the attack.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. OUT! Tahir has another! The sixth one departs. A flighted googly outside off, Rutherford looks to go big but gets a leading edge on that one. The ball flies to backward point and the catch is easily taken by Deepak Chahar there. Delhi in shambles and Shreyas Iyer watches from the other end helplessly.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. A really full one on middle, dug out back to the bowler.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. Good placement and running! A flighted ball on the pads, Sherfane Rutherford flicks it off the pads. The ball goes through mid-wicket and the batsmen come back for two.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. Flatter and full on the pads, Rutherford flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket.
Sherfane Rutherford is the new batsman in.
Imran Tahir to Axar Patel. OUT! What a catch by Watson! That was travelling. Tahir is off on the run again but that was Watto's wicket more than anyone else's. Flighted ball wide outside off, Axar reaches out to drive the ball but gets a thick edge. The ball flies towards slip and the burly Aussie does really well to react quickly, get his hands in front of his face and hold on at an awkward height. Yet another batsman departs without partnering their skipper.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Flatter one outside off, played through point for a single.
Imran Tahir comes back on. He has figures of 1-0-6-1.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on off, Iyer plays it towards covers for a run. At the halfway mark, the visitors are 80/4 and Delhi need 100 runs in 60 balls to win the match.
Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel. Flighted delivery on middle, Patel flicks it towards square leg for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Full on off, Iyer drives it towards wide mid off for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel. Tossed up on leg, Patel flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Slower through the air outside off, Iyer punches the ball to long off for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Flatter and full on the pads, Shreyas pushes it towards mid-wicket.
Strategic break! Delhi started beautifully but have lost quick wickets and find themselves in dire need of rebuilding the innings. Their score is still pretty good but they cannot afford to lose any more wickets and will want skipper, Shreyas Iyer to play a big knock here. That said, Chennai on the other hand, will want the spinners to keep chipping away with wickets and quick, tight overs so that the pressure rises on the chasing side. This is Dhoni's favorite portion of the match, playing with spinners, which is coming up. Can Delhi stay afloat through it or will the home side make merry?
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Length delivery outside off, Patel plays it to point. 8 runs have come from Bravo's first over.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. Full on middle, Iyer drives it to long on. The batsmen cross ends.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Fuller again on off, Patel drives it towards mid off. Faf du Plessis charges from that position and on the run, fields and even has a shy at the bowler's end. Misses but Axar was well in.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. Full on middle, Iyer drives it towards mid on for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Bravo bowls it on a length on middle, Patel looks to flick but gets a top edge. It goes towards square leg and lands safely in no man's land. Jadeja collects it on a bounce. The batsmen take a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. FOUR! Excellent placement! A really full length ball wide outside off, almost yorker length. Axar gets bat on that by stretching out. He angles it away wide of point and beats third man easily. Good start to the over for the away side.
Dwayne Bravo is brought on.
Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel. Tossed up delivery on middle, Patel flicks it towards square leg for a run. What an over from Jadeja, just 2 runs and a wicket off it in the end.
Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel. Flighted delivery on middle, Patel blocks it off his front foot.
Axar Patel is the new batsman in.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Ingram. OUT! Umpire's call it is! Ingram has to depart now and Chennai are all over Delhi like a rash. A flatter one outside off, Jadeja turns it a long way and raps the southpaw on his pads as he misses his defensive push. There is an appeal and the finger goes up! Colin wants a review but it does not save him as the ball just clips the top of leg stump. Delhi stuttering now.
Review time! Ingram has been adjudged LBW here but Ingram wants a referral. He asks his skipper and then goes upstairs. Height and maybe the turn are the only factors that can save him. Let's see...
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Ingram. Flighted delivery on middle, Ingram defends it off his back foot.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on off, Iyer drives it through mid off for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Jadeja starts with a full delivery on off, Iyer drives it to covers.
Ravindra Jadeja is now on.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Full delivery on off, Iyer drives it through mid off for a run. 6 runs from Tahir's first over and a crucial wicket of Rishabh Pant.
Imran Tahir to Colin Ingram. Floated delivery on off, Ingram drives it to long off for a single.
Imran Tahir to Colin Ingram. Flighted delivery outside off, Ingram leaves it alone.
Imran Tahir to Colin Ingram. Tossed up on off, Ingram drives it to covers.
Colin Ingram is the new batsman in.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. OUT! Gone next ball! Tahir is off on his run. A flighted one outside off again, Pant goes to repeat the shot, looks for even better. He though ends up hitting the ball straight to Bravo at long off. Huge wicket, Pant can change the game on his own but the wily old fox has got him. Chennai on the charge now, 3 wickets down are Delhi.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Welcome to the attack, Tahir! A flighted ball outside off, Pant drives this ferociously. Finds the gap wide of long off and the ropes as well.
Imran Tahir is into the attack.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Flighted delivery on middle, Iyer flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs. That is excellent running by the batsmen. It was Pant's call, must say good spotting. Delhi are 59/2 after Powerplay. At the same stage, Chennai were 27/1 after 6 overs.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! Misfield and the ball races away to the fence. A flatter one wide outside off from over the wicket by Harbhajan, Iyer rocks back and cuts it. Bravo at point should have really stopped that one but lets it through and ends up conceding 4 runs.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. Tossed up on middle, Pant flicks it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a single.
Rishabh Pant is the new batsman in.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. OUT! Harbhajan gets his man! The stumps are rattled. An off spinner floated on middle and slightly turning away. This one was slower than the balls Dhawan had received in the previous over. The batsman though in an attempt to sweep the ball ends up playing early and misses the ball completely. He finds his middle and off stump out of position. A huge breakthrough this for Chennai, even Dhoni knows it and shows his delight with a slight fist punch. This is also Harbhajan's 22nd wicket against Delhi, the joint-highest by any bowler against the franchise.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Floated delivery on middle, Iyer flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Flighted delivery on middle, Iyer flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. On a good length on middle, Dhawan taps it towards the off side and takes a quick run. 15 runs have come from the over, a huge one for the away side.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! Deft! A back of a length outside off, Shreyas Iyer hangs back before ramping the ball over where slip would have been. It reaches the boundary. Excellent presence of mind from the batsman.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. On a length on middle, Dhawan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. In the air slightly but well away from the mid-wicket fielder. Short of a length on middle and leg, Dhawan looks to pull it away but mistimes the ball. It goes to the left of mid-wicket. Couple of runs taken.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Pushed off the back foot to deep cover for a single this time by the skipper.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. SIX! Iyer into the act now! A length ball from Chahar on off, Shreyas lifts the ball over wide long off. The ball keeps travelling and ends up just outside the rope. Great beginning to the over for Delhi.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Flighted delivery on middle, Dhawan blocks it off his back foot. 13 runs off this over!
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! That has just kept running away from the fielder at long off who thought he had it covered all the while. A flighted ball outside off, Dhawan drives this to the left of cover. He places and times it beautifully. Du Plessis at long off cannot come around in time to stop it. Second boundary off the over.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on middle, Iyer drives it towards mid on for a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Floated delivery on leg, Dhawan comes down the track and flicks it towards square leg for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. SIX! That is a smart shot! And it goes all the way. Dhawan was running down the track, Harbhajan bowls this flat wide outside off. The ball even turns away a bit but Dhawan though reaches out for the ball and connects really well. The ball ends up in the stands at long on.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. A length ball on middle, punched to the long on region. Single taken as the skipper gives the strike to his partner.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Short ball outside off, Dhawan cuts fiercely. Harbhajan at cover dives and half-stops the ball. Two runs are taken.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas punches this ball off the back foot towards cover and gets to the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Overthrow! A gentle tap on the off side by Iyer, he sets off for a run. The point fielder runs in and has a shy at the bowler's end. There is no one backing up and hence the batsmen get an extra run.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! Crunched! A length ball outside off, Shreyas has punched that off the back foot and found the gap through covers. No stopping that!
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Fuller length ball on middle and leg, Iyer flicks it away with a wristy shot but straight to mid-wicket.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan living dangerously here. A flatter one on middle, he looks to cut but gets an inside edge on that which goes fine down the leg side. Single taken.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. That was a massive chance! A flighted ball on middle, Dhawan comes down the track and looks to hit it over mid-wicket. The ball did not have the elevation and Rayudu out there almost caught that ball. He gets a finger tip and slows down the ball. The batsmen pick up two in the end.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Slower through the air on middle, Iyer looks to flick this one and gets a leading edge as he closes the bat face too early. The ball goes to mid off and the batsmen pick up a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Run out chance! Missed! A slower ball on middle, Dhawan drives towards the mid on fielder and sets off for a run. Jadhav there picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Dhawan would have had his heart in the mouth for a bit there.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan has played the reverse sweep this time to this flatter ball on the pads but he once more fails to find the gap.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Flatter and on top of off stump, Dhawan cuts this ball really late. The ball goes to backward point.
Harbhajan Singh to bowl from the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! The skipper is off the mark in style. A length ball, but straying on the pads of Iyer. Shreyas eases it fine on the leg side and picks up a boundary. 8 runs and a wicket off the first over.
Shreyas Iyer is the new batsman in.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. OUT! First time Shaw gets width. His eyes light up and he slashes. But unfortunately, he slashes straight to Raina at cover! A length ball wide outside off, Prithvi looks to cut this ball but fails to keep the ball down. Raina at the edge of the circle has his eyes on the ball which was travelling quite fast but makes no mistake as he takes a tumbling catch. It is his 100th catch in the League! The first ball outside off stump gets a wicket for Chahar. The Chennai crowd is up in a roar!
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. This surely seems to be a plan. A length ball on top of middle and leg. Shaw defensively pushes it towards mid on.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Another one too straight, almost on leg stump line. Shaw drives really well but finds the mid on fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! Another one on the pads, fuller this time and dispatched! Deepak has not found his line here and concedes a boundary as this full ball on the pads is easy pickings for someone of Shaw's caliber. He whips it away through the right of mid-wicket. Boundary to get Delhi going!
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Ooh! First ball is uppishly pushed towards mid-wicket. A length ball on the pads, Prithvi tried to push it through mid-wicket but was early into the shot. The ball goes uppishly towards the fielder but lands in front of him.
We are back for the chase! Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan are out in the middle for Delhi. Deepak Chahar will open the bowling for Chennai as usual. The hosts are favorites with this score on the board, can the visitors pull off a heist? Let's find out...