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CSK beat DC by 6 wickets | Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, Highlights And Cricket Score 5th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: Mar 26, 2019 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
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Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings Highlights And Cricket Score 5th Match - T20 Commentary
Join us for the second half of this game in a short while. It will be an interesting one for sure. Chennai will have their work cut out. Don't go anywhere...
Dwayne Bravo with an interview alongside Kevin Pietersen, he begins by saying that the wicket is two-paced and change of pace is crucial as a bowler. Feels that the Powerplay is important and the chase will not be a walk in the park, but if they bat well, they can win. Dwayne mentions that he bowls late in the game because of the team combination. He adds that there is no specific favourite suit and he loves both batting and bowling. Signs off by saying that they should get the points here as long as they bat smartly.
Dhawan did score a fifty, but it didn't come quick enough, and more importantly, he lost his wicket at a crucial time, which was the crucial moment in this innings. Had he stuck till the end, things might have been much different, come the end of the 20 overs. One more crucial factor was that the hosts lost 4 wickets in the space of 12 balls, which really hampered the momentum Pant had given them. Now, despite all this, the chase isn't going to be easy by any means, as the wicket is only going to get slower and slower. The Powerplay will be crucial, so let's see how both teams go.
Outstanding comeback from Chennai. The average score at this venue is 163, so it's safe to say this is a below par total from Delhi. They would be a little disappointed with this, especially after opting to bat. They got off to a decent start, and had solid partnerships after that too, but never got going due to the slow nature of the pitch and wickets falling at regular intervals. Pant was threatening to go ballistic again but Bravo took control of things in the second half of the innings and ended with three wickets in his kitty.
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. Full delivery aiming the base of off stump, Tewatia sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. DELHI FINISH ON 147/6!
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. Tries to be innovative but fails to execute his shot. Full and slow, well outside off, Tewatia moves a long way across to paddle it fine down the leg side. Misses it altogether.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Back of a length outside off, Axar slices it down to third man aerially. It goes on the bounce to the fielder as the batsmen cross over.
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. Short ball and it's been pulled away on the leg side. A run is collected.
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. FOUR! Poor ball and it's been put away. A loopy full toss on the stumps, Tewatia moves across and paddles it past the diving Shane Watson at short fine leg. After the ball is past him, there's no stopping it.
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. Length delivery around off, Tewatia slaps this past the bowler, down the ground towards long on. The batsmen take two runs.
Shardul Thakur to Axar Patel. FOUR! He cannot finish well. A boundary to end the over. It's too straight, on the leg stump, Patel pulls it fine down the leg side and finds the fence with ease. This is the first boundary since the 15th over.
Shardul Thakur to Rahul Tewatia. Another single. Just 4 conceded so far, good one from Thakur. It's pulled down to fine leg. Can he finish well?
Shardul Thakur to Axar Patel. Angling in on leg stump, Patel looks to play it on the leg side but it goes off his thigh pad. A leg bye taken.
Shardul Thakur to Rahul Tewatia. Slightly ahead of a length, on off stump, Tewatia makes room and hits this hard. Straight to mid off though who is at the edge of the ring. The batsmen manage to steal a single.
Shardul Thakur to Axar Patel. Moves inside the line of this one and wrists it through square leg. One run to the total.
Shardul Thakur to Axar Patel. Length delivery quite close to off, Patel gets an inside edge back onto his pads.
Shardul Thakur is called back on.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Back of a length outside off, cut hard just wide of point for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. Short of good length on off stump, pulled through the gap on the leg side for one run.
Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tewatia. Serves it outside the line of off stump, Tewatia can't get bat on ball.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Flicks this full ball to deep square leg and gets to the other end.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Outside off on a good length, Patel plays and misses.
Rahul Tewatia is the new man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Shikhar Dhawan. OUT! 3-fer for Bravo. He's got the key man for the home side. It needed Dhawan to be there till the end, this isn't good for them. Full and just outside off from around the wicket, Shikhar moves across and tries to loft it over the leg side. It goes off the top edge though and skies towards square leg. Thakur out in the deep settles under the ball and takes a good catch. Four wickets have fallen in the last 12 balls for Delhi. Their innings is crumbling here.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Full and it's swept through the leg side. One run to end the over.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Fifty up for Shikhar Dhawan! 33rd in this League. It's taken some time for it to come, but it's come, and he's the key now for Delhi if they are to get to a decent score. He pulls it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second.
Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel. Full on the stumps, Patel plays it through towards wide long on for a single.
Axar Patel to bat next.
Ravindra Jadeja to Keemo Paul. OUT! Bowled 'em! A little bit of turn, a little bit of pace and Keemo Paul departs without making any case. Landed on off, it spins away slightly with some pace. Paul backs away a little to push it away on the off side but gets beaten by those two factors. He's beaten past the outside edge and the stumps behind are disturbed.
Ravindra Jadeja to Keemo Paul. Quick and flat outside off, kept out off the back foot.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Some flight on this, Dhawan steps out to this and slogs it through wide mid on for one.
Ravindra Jadeja returns to the attack.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. Play and a miss. Back of a length outside off, Paul looks to swipe this through mid-wicket but it goes under his bat. End of a superb over from Bravo.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. Big shout for a leg before but the impact is outside off. Good call from the umpire. Paul walks across to this length ball and wears it on the pads. Chennai think of the DRS, but Dhoni decides against it.
Keemo Paul walks out next.
Dwayne Bravo to Colin Ingram. OUT! Ingram's extremely short stay has come to an end. Double strike from Dwayne Bravo. Full and just outside off, Ingram smashes this to the covers but can't keep it down. Hands a straightforward catch to Suresh Raina at extra cover and he takes a sharp catch there.
Dwayne Bravo to Colin Ingram. Off the mark instantly. Full delivery and it's drilled down to long on for a couple of runs.
Strategic break. Also, Colin Ingram is the next batsman in.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. OUT! GONE! Bravo with a big wicket. Rishabh Pant is out of here before he was able to unleash himself like last time. Good captaincy and good bowling from Dhoni and Bravo. A length ball angling in on middle and off, Pant moves across a bit and plays the pick up shot over square leg, one of his favourite areas. There is a man out there. Thakur moves to his right from backward square leg and takes a good catch diving low. Chennai will rejoice, they know how dangerous Pant can be, especially towards the end of the innings.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. Wide! Angles it down the leg side, wide signalled by the umpire.
Dwayne Bravo to Shikhar Dhawan. Back of a length, angling in on middle and leg, it's pulled in front of square leg for a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. SIX! What power from Rishabh Pant. Wow. He may be little in size, but he surely packs a punch. A bit short around off, Pant smokes it over wide long off and clears the leaping fielder comfortably.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. Wide! Big swing from Pant. Misses the ball though. It spins a long way away, across the tramline, wide signalled.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Steps out of the crease and places it through covers for a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. Turning away from outside off, slightly shorter in length, Pant slaps the cut to sweeper cover for one run.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Goes down the ground. Smacks it through to long on and gets off strike.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Short, quick and outside off, Shikhar mistimes the punch shot a bit square on the off side.
Harbhajan Singh is back on.
Dwayne Bravo to Shikhar Dhawan. Short delivery on leg, Dhawan pulls it towards square leg for a run. Expensive over from Dwayne Bravo. 17 runs have come from the over.
Dwayne Bravo to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Full toss on middle, Dhawan drives it past the bowler through mid on for a boundary.
Dwayne Bravo to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! 100 up for Delhi. Second boundary of the over. Amazing shot from Shikhar. Short and outside off, Dhawan cuts it through point for a boundary.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. IN THE AIR AND SAFE! Short of a length delivery, Pant goes across and pulls it over mid-wicket. It lands in no man's land. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. Length delivery on middle, Pant nudges it towards square leg. The batsmen get two runs.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side, Pant looks to flick but misses it.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! On a good length and outside off, Pant looks to guide it but gets an outside edge. He though opens the face of the bat and makes sure it goes wide of Dhoni towards third man for a boundary.
Dwayne Bravo introduced into the attack.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant. Flighted delivery on leg, Pant nudges it towards mid-wicket for a run. 11 runs have come from the over. Productive over for Delhi.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant. Floated on middle, Pant flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the stumps at the keeper's end but misses it. The batsmen get two runs. Good running between the wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Floated on off, Dhawan guides it towards third man for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant. Short again on off, Pant cuts it towards point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Cracking shot from Rishabh Pant. Short and outside off, Pant makes room and slaps it through covers for a boundary. Harbhajan did not have a chance there.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant. Short and outside off, Pant makes room and cuts it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. Floated on off, Dhawan plays it back towards the bowler. 10 runs and a wicket from this one. Eventful over from Imran Tahir.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Tossed up on middle, Pant flicks it towards square leg and gets off the mark.
Rishabh Pant walks in next to bat.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. OUT! GONE! Tahir gets the breakthrough. This is clever bowling. The ball's been skidding through the innings so far, so he bowls it quick and on the stumps. Iyer backs away to cut it down to third man but is caught on the pads first. Big appeal and the umpire's finger follows. The Delhi skipper departs.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. A single this time. It's slogged through mid-wicket for a run.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Shikhar Dhawan. It was a much-needed one. Flighted delivery on middle, Dhawan plays a slog sweep through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Terrific shot from Shikhar Dhawan. Good use of the feet from him. Floated on off, Dhawan comes down the track and smashes it past the bowler through mid off for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Beauty of a delivery. Floated just outside off, Iyer looks to defend but gets beaten on this one due to the turn on this one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. On middle, Dhawan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on middle, Shreyas flicks it through square leg for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. On the pads, Iyer flicks it towards square leg for two.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Floated on middle, Iyer defends it off the front foot.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Flighted delivery outside off, Dhawan looks to sweep but gets hit on the front pad. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a run. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. Floated outside off, Shikhar comes down the track and drives it through mid off for a single. Big over for Delhi. 10 runs have come from it.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. Bowls a googly outside off, Dhawan looks to sweep but misses it due to the turn on this one.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Full on leg, Iyer flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. SIX! That's big! He's hit that a loooooonnnngggggg way! Tossed right up there, outside off, Iyer's eyes light up when he sees this. He stands his ground and launches it deep into the long off stands. This is the first maximum of the innings. And also, it is the longest time taken in a match this season for one to come.
Imran Tahir to Shikhar Dhawan. Flighted delivery on leg, Dhawan flicks it towards square leg for a single.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Bowls a quicker delivery on middle, Iyer tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Strategic break. Pretty even at this point. Delhi have been scoring at a steady rate, but not too fast. Chennai have got rid of Shaw and another wicket or two at this stage could swing things in their favour. Let's see how the next phase plays out. Also, Imran Tahir is into the attack.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Stays behind for this one and pushes it defensively on the off side.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. Shorter and flatter outside off, Dhawan looks to play the reverse paddle but is caught on the thigh pad.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Quicker and flatter outside off, patted to point for one more.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shikhar Dhawan. A mistimed shot. Dhawan charges out and plays the pull off the inner half to mid-wicket. Gets a single for doing so.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Quick single. Iyer pushes it towards point and takes off. The throw comes in at the bowler's end, the bails are off but it's not because of the ball. Harbhajan knocks them off with his hands before the ball comes to him. So no harm done.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Not out! Survives by a fraction of a second... that close. Phew! Dhoni once again lightning quick behind the stumps. Spinning away from around off, fuller in length, Iyer comes forward to defend but is beaten past the outside edge. His back leg drags out in the process and Dhoni wastes no time in taking the bails off. It's taken upstairs and replays show the Delhi skipper just about makes it back in.
And he makes things happen immediately. A stumping appeal against Shreyas Iyer is referred upstairs. Let's see what happens here. Looks close.
Ravindra Jadeja brought on to have a go with the ball.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Takes the aerial route and almost pays the price. Big boundaries out there. Iyer comes out and lofts it over mid-wicket. Rayudu out in the deep runs in, dives but the ball falls short. He does well, however, to stop it from going past him. Single to end the over.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Full and quick outside off, blocked with soft hands on the off side.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Full and fast outside off, pushed towards the point region for a brisk run.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Iyer walks down the track, sees the ball turning down the leg side, so he works it to square leg and crosses over. The 50 comes up for Delhi.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Shortish and outside off, it's cut away through cover-point for one.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. A bit slower through the air, slight turn away, Shikhar steps out and pushes it to the man at cover.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Full delivery attacking the base of off stump, the Delhi captain opens the face and dabs it to point.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. In line of the stumps, the opener brings his wrists into play and whips it behind square leg. Easy run taken by the batsmen.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Plays this very late. Waits for it to come to him before opening the face and running it down to third man for one.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Back of a length quite close to off, Dhawan slaps the cut through towards sweeper cover. One run to the total.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Skidding off once more, a length ball outside off, Iyer punches it from inside the crease through the covers and jogs across to the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Short ball banged in, Dhawan jumps out and slices it over point. There is a man in the deep, so the batsmen will only get one run.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Full and straight, played back to the bowler. That's the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 43/1.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Looped up on off stump, Iyer is well forward in defense.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Full outside off, driven to the covers. Raina dives to his left but still can't stop it. A single is collected.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! He's premeditated that. Excellent shot. Knew it would be short again, so positioned himself for the reverse paddle and placed it through short third man for a boundary.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan backs away to this shorter ball and forces the punch towards the covers again.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Quick and short around off, Shikhar punches it towards covers off the back foot.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Good running. Dhawan taps this in front of cover and both batsmen take off quickly. As a result, they manage to complete the run with ease.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Shaping away, a length ball outside off, Dhawan offers a solid punch but straight to the cover-point fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Shreyas Iyer. Iyer wastes no time in getting off the mark. Uses the angle into him and nudges it through the vacant square leg area for a single.
Shreyas Iyer walks in at no.3.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. OUT! Chahar strikes! Just the wicket Chennai needed. Seeing Shaw make room, the pacer follows him with a back of a length ball. Shaw looks to heave it over mid-wicket, but mistimes it to Watson who comes in and takes a simple catch. The breakthrough has come at a good time for the visitors. They can make further inroads from here and get on top.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Bowls it on the hips, Shikhar easily glances it down to fine leg and changes ends.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Makes good connection but can't get the placement right. Plays this on the up and smacks it, straight to extra cover though.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Quicker and flatter on middle and leg, Dhawan punches it to mid on and takes the fielder on. Beats the throw and completes the single with ease.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Spinning away from around off, it's cut to the point fielder.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Switches to around the wicket for the left-hander and pitches it too full. Dhawan gets low and plays a beautiful sweep shot. The timing and placement are too good as it finds its way to the square leg fence.
Harbhajan Singh to Prithvi Shaw. Prithvi swings but mistimes it as it goes off the inner half on the leg side. The batsmen take a quick run.
Harbhajan Singh to Prithvi Shaw. Wide! Down the leg side, wide signalled by the umpire.
Harbhajan Singh to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! Shaw taking the attack to Harbhajan here, taking full advantage of the Powerplay. Seeing it flighted up, Shaw dances out and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
Harbhajan Singh to Prithvi Shaw. Full and darted on leg, Shaw works it off his pads to square leg. Dot ball.
Harbhajan Singh is into the attack now.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Coming back in off the deck, worked in front of square leg but it's too close to the fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan fails to connect with another one. On a length and outside off, keeps a little low, the southpaw fails to put bat on it.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Play and a miss! Dhawan gives the charge to this back of a length delivery, looking to smash it over the off side, but misses it altogether.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Full this time, on the off stick, Shikhar drives but finds the man at extra cover.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Marginally fuller than a length, around off, it's cracked straight to the cover fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan plays his first ball of the game after two overs and gets a boundary immediately, even if it is in a streaky manner. Length delivery shaping away from around off, Dhawan hangs his bat out and it goes off the edge down to third man.
Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! Three in a row. An expensive over from Thakur, 12 off it. Shaw plays a deft shot this time. Waits for this length ball and runs it down to third man. It's a quick outfield, even Chahar in the deep can't stop it by moving to his left.
Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! Goes down the ground this time. Back-to-back boundaries for Prithvi Shaw. Just behind a length outside off, Shaw plays this on the up and lofts it over mid on to find the fence.
Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! Slower ball and it's picked up early by Shaw. It's bowled on a length, the opener swings across the line after standing his ground and then whacks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw. Solid in defense. Shardul attacks the stumps, Prithvi brings a straight bat down in defense.
Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw. The ball is skidding off the surface here. Does so again now. Thakur targets the top of off stump with a length ball, Shaw mistimes the cut towards point.
Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw. Good length ball on middle and leg, nudged to the leg side. No run taken.
Shardul Thakur will bowl from the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Off the inner half. Just short, Shaw plays it on the leg side and keeps strike with a single. 8 off the first over.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Fullish delivery on the pads, the right-hander works it through the mid-wicket region. Big gap out there, so the batsmen come back for the second.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Skids off the deck a bit, a length ball on off, a firm punch is offered towards the covers.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! That's a fine shot from Prithvi Shaw. A confident hit. Back of a length on middle and leg, he moves inside the line and pulls it hard through square leg for a boundary.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Wide! Goes down the leg side this time, Prithvi tries to flick it fine but misses. Wide called.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. In the air but it falls safely. A little too straight in line from Chahar, Shaw looks to work it on the leg side but closes the face early and the ball pops off the leading edge. Falls short of mid on.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Good length delivery shaping away from around off, Shaw stays inside the crease and taps it down on the off side.
We are ready to begin. The umpires make their way out to the middle, followed by the Chennai team and the two Delhi openers - Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Deepak Chahar to bowl the first over. Here we go...
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, says they were looking to bowl first only. States that they are unsure of the nature of the wicket so want to see how it plays out. Adds that the surface is a bit tacky, so that also comes into play. Ends by mentioning that their side is unchanged.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer, says that they are looking to score around 170-180. Adds that the wicket gets slow in the second half at this venue. Informs that they have one change as Amit Mishra comes in for Trent Boult.
TOSS - Delhi have won the toss and elect to bat first.
PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar is our expert with the pitch report and starts off by saying the conditions are pleasant around. He feels that the surface lacks any grass and is harder than normally how it is here. Comparing the bounce with the Wankhede stadium, he says that it is slightly lower here at the Kotla hence the batsmen as well as the bowlers have to make adjustments according to what shots to play and where to bowl respectively. He informs us that the most amount of turn in the League's history has been found at this very ground. Reckons the toss does not matter much and that the team winning the coin flip might slightly side towards chasing.
Welcome to the fifth game of the Indian T20 League. We are in the capital of the country and will witness Delhi host Dhoni's Chennai this evening. Both teams started off the tournament on a perfect note by bagging 2 points each, albeit in different ways. Delhi posted a 200-plus score and defended it, whereas the away side skittled out Bangalore for just 70 before chasing it down easily. The Kotla awaits... Young, enthusiastic blood versus the experienced, calm heads! Who is going to trump who? The action is not far away, the pitch report and the toss before that though...
So, we're done with this one, but we move on to the next. On Wednesday, 27th March, Kolkata welcome Punjab to Eden Gardens. The action starts at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Do join in for that. Goodbye and take care!
Man of the Match, Shane Watson, says the surface was better than the one in Chennai. Is happy he was able to score some runs tonight. States that he was suffering from a few niggling injuries, so is happy he's fit and able to contribute to the team. Ends by saying that he's delighted to be back in the Indian T20 League, in the Chennai camp, as he loves the positivity around.
Chennai captain, MS Dhoni, says it looks okay as of now (on the team composition). Adds that the wicket was slow but they knew the dew would come into play later on. Credits his bowlers for restricting Delhi to just 147. Continues to say that they have covered all the areas, are preparing well, and also mentions that he rues the loss of Lungi Ngidi. Honestly accepts that they're not a very good fielding side as there are quite a few older players, but they are adjusting well in other areas which is a big positive for them. Emphasizes that death bowling is an area they want to work on, so is looking forward to working on it in the nets.
Kedar Jadhav is caught for a chat. He says that the wicket was a little bit on the slower side, so it's difficult to know how to go about your work. States that he feels disappointed that he couldn't finish things off with the bat, but stresses the chase was always in control, so there was no cause for worry. Reckons that everyone knows what's to be done out there and if their batsmen bat the entire 20 overs, they feel confident of getting over the line. On retaining the title, he says it's too early and they just want to take it one game at a time.
Delhi captain, Shreyas Iyer, says that for a new batsman the pitch was really tough to get going. Mentions that he's usually good against spin, but found it difficult and even cites Rishabh Pant's difficulty in scoring freely as an indicator of this tricky surface. Informs that the slow nature of the pitch was the reason he decided to bat first. Continues saying that if they had done better in the Powerplay with the ball, maybe things would have turned out different. States that there are still positives to take, so they will focus on them and take it forward in the next game.
Delhi needed to start off well, and even if that didn't happen, at the very least capitalized on the advantageous moments. You'd have thought that moment would have come after Raina's wicket, but the Chennai middle order kept a sensible head over their shoulders and saw their side home. Earlier in the day, Delhi were going along well, but in a period where they lost 4 wickets in 12 balls, proved to be the pivotal reason in their downfall. They posted a total on the board which eventually didn't prove to be enough.
So a comfortable-ish end for Chennai as they bag their second win of the season in as many games. Chasing a target of 148 was never going to be any trouble for them. After Watson's start and Raina's brisk knock, the game was more or less sealed. The rest to follow didn't have to do much, just keep the scoreboard ticking and get over the line. Barring Rabada's final over, there was never any sign of nerves or trouble in the Chennai camp.
Kagiso Rabada to Dwayne Bravo. FOUR! There it is! Bravo manages to get bat on it and sends the ball to the boundary line. CHENNAI WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Dwayne moves inside the line of this back of a length delivery and whips it through backward square leg stylishly.
Kagiso Rabada to Dwayne Bravo. Third dot in a row. Hurled further outside off, Bravo looks to cut and misses once more. Pressure building. Dhoni has a word with Dwayne. Probably just telling him to tap and run.
Kagiso Rabada to Dwayne Bravo. Dot ball. Ooohhh... Short of a good length outside off, Bravo looks to cut this through the off side but fails to connect. Some extra bounce and zip once again for Rabada.
Dwayne Bravo walks in next.
Kagiso Rabada to Kedar Jadhav. OUT! Oh... a wicket for Rabada off the first ball. Interesting. A loose delivery outside off, some extra bounce. Jadhav goes after it and pokes at it. Gets a faint nick behind and the keeper does the rest. Still very much Chennai's game, for now.
Kagiso Rabada to bowl the final over.
Amit Mishra to MS Dhoni. Quick, short and flat on middle, MSD goes back and works it straight to short mid-wicket.
Amit Mishra to MS Dhoni. SIX! Dhoni tees up and that's more or less the game for Chennai. The skipper goes downtown. Clears his front leg as it's tossed right up and smokes it straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum. Just 2 needed now off 7 balls.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Jadhav too goes down the ground, finds long on and takes one.
Amit Mishra to MS Dhoni. Quicker through the air, outside off, Dhoni stays back and hits it aerially to long off, on the bounce, for a run.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. A lot of air on this as it's pitched outside off, full in length, Jadhav drags this as he places it through mid-wicket. Wide long on moves across to his right and keeps the batsmen to just the one.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Quick and flat just outside off, Jadhav punches it back to the bowler. A dot ball to begin things.
Amit Mishra comes back on to bowl.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Good running. Short of a good length outside off, MSD punches it through the covers. Runs the first one hard and is able to come back for the second as a result. 11 needed to win off 12 balls.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Can't give a batsman of his quality that much room. Paul serves it on a length outside off and Dhoni cuts it fiercely through the covers, beating the man in the deep.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Full and wide outside off, Dhoni lets it go once again. This time, however, the ball stays inside the tramline. No wide given.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Wide! Hurled too far outside off, across the tramline, Dhoni lets it go. Wide called by the umpire.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Jadhav drives this full delivery a little square through cover-point. One more run to the total.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Outside off, played to point for a single.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. An unnecessary run conceded. Short and wide outside off, Dhoni cuts it to Axar Patel at short third man. He moves to his left, collects and throws it at the striker's end, even after Jadhav has made it in. Misses and the batsmen take an extra run.
Keemo Paul is back on.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Nopes, not a maiden! Axar drags his length short on off and Dhoni drags his pull shot down to long on for a single.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Advances down the track and forces it back to the bowler. Five dots. Maiden?
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Quicker and shorter on off, punched again but not in the gap. The extra cover fielder did the fielding.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. A back foot punch to a short ball but he finds the cover fielder. 23 needed off 21 balls.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Walks forward to a full ball and flicks it straight to mid-wicket. Two dots. Dhoni is taking this deep.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Bowls it flat and short on off, MS cuts it but finds the point fielder.
Strategic break. Easy going for Chennai, 23 more needed off 24 balls and unless something extraordinary happens like yesterday's game, the visiting team is taking all the three points.
Kagiso Rabada to MS Dhoni. Yet another short ball, this time it's around off at 142 kph and Dhoni rides the bounce before pulling it to deep square leg for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to MS Dhoni. A good bouncer around middle and leg at 145 kph, Dhoni allows it go to the keeper. Nothing from the square leg umpire.
Kagiso Rabada to Kedar Jadhav. A slower short ball around off, at 118 kph, Kedar pulls it down to long on for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to MS Dhoni. Back of a length ball on off at 142.8 kph, Dhoni is on the back foot on his one leg as he strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Kedar Jadhav. On a length around off, Jadhav stays back and chops it down to third man for one.
Kagiso Rabada to MS Dhoni. Short and wide outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it and cuts it through point for a single.
Kagiso Rabada returns into the attack. Is it too late or the South African speedster can still do some magic? He has troubled MSD in the past with his pace.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Picks up a single off the last ball. Dhoni gets back and eases it to covers for a run. 28 needed off 30 balls.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Four dots now! Shortish and on off, Dhoni punches but finds the cover fielder this time.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Arm ball on middle, skidding in, MSD keeps it out off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Quicker, flatter and shorter on off, Dhoni goes back to cut but finds the short third man fielder.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Leans forward and pushes a full ball to covers.
Axar Patel to Kedar Jadhav. Width on offer outside off, it's run down to third man for a run.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Nothing much from a Free Hit... Drags a full length ball down to long on for a run.
Free Hit time...
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Oversteps and bowls it on a length around off, Kedar blocks from the crease. Called a no ball.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. PUT DOWN! A real tough one but you need to take those at this level. Short in length at 121.6 kph, Jadhav fetches it from outside off and plays a cracking pull shot across the line. Dhawan at mid-wicket times his jump well but fails to catch it over his head. They take a brace.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Chance of a run out! Back of a length ball on off, Dhoni stays back and punches it towards backward point. Jadhav wants a run and rushes out but MSD sends him back. Axar fires his throw at the bowler's end but misses and now they cross for an overthrow. The replays show that Kedar was safely in.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Uses his wrists this time and works a length ball in front of square leg for a run.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Action replay of the previous delivery. A little bit of width outside off, slower in pace, Jadhav tries to guide it down to third man but gets a bottom edge behind to the keeper.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. The batsman gets a bottom edge! The keeper gathers it on the bounce.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Leans forward and pushes it to covers. 7 from the last two overs. Slow going but there is really no need to go hard.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Skidding down the leg side, Dhoni fails to put bat on ball and is hit on the thigh pad.
Axar Patel to Kedar Jadhav. The batsman has played the paddle sweep fine down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Axar Patel to Kedar Jadhav. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Not out! Waste of time and technology, Jadhav is well in, by a big margin too. A tossed up ball around off, Dhoni eases it off his front foot to covers and rushes across to the other end. The fielder fires in the throw and Pant breaks the stumps. It's taken upstairs but to no use.
Appeal for a run out! No real conviction in the appeal but still it has been referred upstairs...
Axar Patel to MS Dhoni. Starts with a flatter and shorter delivery outside off, Dhoni slaps it to sweeper cover where Rabada misfields and they pick the second run.
Axar Patel is back on.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. A back foot punch this time right through the gap between covers and point for a single. 40 needed off 48 balls, in no hurry these two. They have planned many chases together for India in the recent past. Certainly know how it's done.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Slower one, on a length and staying low, Dhoni pushes it out from the crease to extra cover.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Bangs in a short ball again, this one is straighter in line and Jadhav pulls it down to fine leg for one.
Keemo Paul to Kedar Jadhav. Deceived completely! Short delivery, wide outside off, Kedar picks it late and ends up offering no shot to it.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Angling down the leg side, on a length, Dhoni flicks it through square leg for a single.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Edgy! A slower one, short and outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it and inside edges it past his stumps to short fine leg.
Keemo Paul introduced into the bowling attack.
Amit Mishra to MS Dhoni. Short and flat around off, Dhoni goes back and slaps it to long on. One run to end the over.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Quicker and on the stumps, it goes off the inside edge down towards short fine leg and the batsmen take a single.
Amit Mishra to MS Dhoni. Tossed up on the stumps, Dhoni looks to flick but it goes off the pads on the leg side. A quick leg bye is stolen.
Amit Mishra to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Streaky runs as MS Dhoni gets off the mark. Short and outside off, Dhoni goes back to cut but it goes off the edge and past short third man, all the way to the boundary line.
MS Dhoni to be the next batsman in for Chennai.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. OUT! Raina is gone! Mishra using all his experience and bringing it into play. Raina was looking so good, got out against the run of play. He doesn't pick up the wrong 'un as he backs away to push it on the off side. The ball takes the edge and Pant behind takes a sharp catch. The visitors need 50 to win in 58 balls.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Leans ahead and wrists it against the spin fine down the leg side. Easy single for Kedar.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. In the air but safe! It's floated up, Jadhav kneels down to sweep it away but gets it away off the top edge towards short fine leg. Iyer from first slip runs after it but can't get under it. Single taken.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. Sliding in on leg stump, keeps going down with the angle, catches Jadhav on the pads as he tries to put bat on ball.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. FOUR! Deft. Jadhav plays this late. Waits for it and then opens the face of the bat to run it past short third man. Finds the fence without any trouble.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. Quick, full and flat outside off, Jadhav plays it out off the front foot.
Rahul Tewatia to Suresh Raina. Goes with the spin and wrists it towards mid on. The batsmen cross over.
Rahul Tewatia to Suresh Raina. SIX! Connects with it this time. What. A. Hit. The moment he sees the flight on this one, Suresh Raina jumps out and smokes it high and handsome over the mid-wicket boundary for half a dozen.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. A bit quicker through the air, around off, Kedar Jadhav blocks it with the full face of the bat.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Looks to go big but isn't able to nail his shot. Tossed up, it's in the slot for Raina, he gets low to bring out the big slog sweep but it goes off the inner half on the leg side. A single is taken.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Extremely full on leg, it's turned off the pads behind square leg. Another run collected.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Spinning in a touch after landing outside off, Raina waits for it, opens the face and runs it down to third man. Single to the total.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Short and wide outside off, turning away, Jadhav cuts it towards sweeper cover and jogs across to the other end.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Full and on the stumps, worked away on the leg side.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. Flights it right up there, around off, the right-hander flicks it in front of square leg for a single.
Rahul Tewatia to Suresh Raina. Goes on straight as it's bowled just outside off, Raina helps it through the mid-wicket region for one more.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. Works this away on the leg side and gets to the other end.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. The quicker one on the stumps, Kedar shifts on the back foot again before blocking it out.
Rahul Tewatia to Kedar Jadhav. FOUR! A half-tracker in line of the stumps, Jadhav rocks onto the back foot, has a lot of time as he pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Rahul Tewatia to Suresh Raina. Tossed up leg break outside off, Raina leans ahead and eases it to long off for a run.
Rahul Tewatia to bowl now.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. An lbw appeal from Mishra but it's sliding down. Bowls the flipper on leg and Jadhav misses his defense. The line was a little too straight. 15 runs and a wicket off this one, an eventful over to say the least.
Amit Mishra to Kedar Jadhav. Quick, flat and on the stumps, Jadhav stays on the back foot and plays it back to the bowler.
Strategic break signalled by the umpire. Also, Kedar Jadhav is the next batsman in.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. OUT! Mishra does have the last laugh. A bit sloppy from Watson though, not the kind of delivery he'd have wanted to get out on. Tossed up leg break well outside off, he looks to go big downtown but the ball spins away and goes across the tramline. The batsman's back leg drags out and Pant, seeing this, whips the bails off quickly. It's taken upstairs and replays show Watson is gone for all money. Wide signalled, but Delhi won't care. Chennai need 75 runs to win in 80 balls.
A stumping appeal. Pant looks confident. Is Watson gone? Could be a big moment in the game.
We're getting a replacement ball in. After Watson hit the last one a long way away, it hasn't come back.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. SIX! Second of the over. A poor delivery from Mishra. It's a slow track, the shorter ones will be put away without doubt. Watson rocks back to this one and muscles the heave deep into the mid-wicket stands. With this, the 50-run stand comes up.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. Quicker one on off, Shane tries to play but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. SIX! BANG! Watto takes the attack to the leggie and gets maximum runs. Steps out to this floated ball and smokes it straight back, hitting the sightscreen. A clean hit.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. Tossed up on middle and leg, Watson gets low and sweeps it fine down the leg side, beating short fine leg. Two runs to the total.
Amit Mishra comes on to bowl.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Dot ball to end the over. Watson works it square on the leg side for one. That's the end of the Powerplay. Delhi were 43/1, while Chennai are 58/1. The visitors well ahead at the moment.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Full and straight, attacking the stumps, Watson brings a straight blade down in defense.
Kagiso Rabada to Suresh Raina. Full ball on the pads again, flicked to the man at deep backward square leg. Just a single this time.
Kagiso Rabada to Suresh Raina. Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, it's pushed to the cover region.
Kagiso Rabada to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Around the wicket to Raina and the southpaw gets another boundary. He's playing the shorter balls well here. Too straight in line, he uses the angle into him and works it through backward square leg for a boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Coming back in on middle and leg, Watson flicks it on the leg side for a run.
Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Make that three in a row. The 50 is up for Chennai. This is just clubbed. What a hit. Length ball on off, Raina slogs it through the mid-wicket area to end the over in style. Massive over for Chennai, 18 runs have come off it.
Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. Short and some width on offer outside off, Raina stays leg side and carves it over point. No stopping that one, hit too well.
Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina. FOUR! All about the timing that one. Terrific shot from Suresh Raina. He once again moves inside the line of this back of a length delivery, gets on top of the bounce and helps the pull through square leg for a boundary.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Cutting back in from a good length, on middle and leg, Watson works it off the pads to square leg for a quick single.
Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina. Back of a length around leg, Raina comes down the track and mistimes the slog over the bowler's head. Single taken.
Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina. FOUR LEG BYES! That's gone fine. Raina moves inside the line as it's landed on a back of a length on middle, looks to flick but it goes off the thigh pad and across the fine leg fence.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. SIX! Typical fast bowler's response but Watson has seen enough of this in his career. A bouncer on middle, Watson just uses the pace and even though he top-edges his pull, he will pick up a maximum. Almost 146 clicks, and the ball carries all the way over fine leg. 10 runs off the over after 4 dot balls to start with.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. FOUR! That is not what Delhi would have wanted! After 4 dot balls, Rabada strays down the leg side and sprays this on Watson's strong area. The batsman glances it really fine and manages to get the pressure off!
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Ouch! Off the glove, that must have hurt! A short of a length ball aimed at the batsman's body. Watson looks to push it towards square leg but the ball rises towards the handle and catches Watson on his glove before he can react. Drops safely to the off side though.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Good ball! In the blockhole at 148.1 clicks! Watson gets his bat down in time and keeps it out towards mid on. 3 dot balls.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Short of a length on middle, Shane Watson defends after getting on his toes.
Kagiso Rabada to Shane Watson. Really full and pacy! 146.7 kph! Watson keeps it out with a good defensive stroke though.
Kagiso Rabada is into the attack.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Watson works this length ball to deep mid-wicket and picks up a run to end the over and keep strike.
Ishant Sharma to Suresh Raina. Off the mark straightaway! Fuller one outside off, Raina pushes it to the left of mid off and gets to the other end.
Suresh Raina is the new batsman in.
Ishant Sharma to Ambati Rayudu. OUT! The first one falls! Rayudu has been bounced out here, Ishant with some fiery pace and bounce. A short ball at 141.2 clicks, bowled at the batsman's chest. Rayudu looks to pull but is too late into the shot. The ball gets really big on him and all he can do is to lob the ball high off the bat to Shreyas Iyer who comes in from mid off and takes a simple catch. Delhi get the breakthrough they would have desperately wanted early on!
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Tight run but Rayudu is inside. A length ball on top of off stump, Watson drops the ball on the surface and sets off for a single. Rayudu responds and gets inside on time as Ishant runs to the ball and picks it up before hitting the stumps. Good running that but good agility from Sharma as well.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. FOUR! Terrific shot from Shane Watson. Full length delivery on middle, Watson flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Short and outside off, Watson looks to pull but gets a bottom edge on this one. It goes to covers.
Axar Patel to Ambati Rayudu. Shorter and quicker on middle, Rayudu stands tall and defends it onto the surface.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. Quick single! A fuller ball on off, Watson pushes it to mid on and sets off for a quick single. Slight confusion out there but the batsmen make it in easily in the end.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. Huge turn! A flighted ball on off, Watson looks to come on the front foot and slog the ball but it grips off the surface and turns big to beat the bat. Delhi will love that sight.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. FOUR! Second of the over! Too short from Axar, Watson rocks back, waits for the ball and pulls it away through the vacant mid-wicket region. No chance for the fielder in the deep to come around, the placement is good.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. This one is a tad fuller and on middle, defended off the front foot to cover.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. FOUR! Axar is welcomed with a booming punch off Watto's bat. Bowled flatter outside off, Watson powerfully punches it away through the off side and pierces the gap. No stopping those!
Axar Patel to bowl from the other end.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. On a length outside off, Watson guides it down to third man for a single to end the over. He retains strike.
Ishant Sharma to Ambati Rayudu. DROPPED! Has that carried? Yes, it has and Rayudu has been dropped early in the innings. A length ball outside off, looks like Rayudu wanted to run it down to third man but a thick outside edge sees the ball carry to the left of Dhawan at first slip, albeit very low. Shikhar gets his left hand to the ball but cannot hold on. The ball runs to third man for a single. Could prove to be a huge let-off!
Ishant Sharma to Ambati Rayudu. Better from Ishant. A length ball and closer to the off stump. Rayudu stands tall and defends it onto the surface.
Ishant Sharma to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Bahubali start for Rayudu! Fullish outside off and Ambati leans into the drive. Manages to find the gap on the offside. The ball races away through covers and finds the fence. Imperious timing!
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Slightly farther outside off, this time Watson cuts it away to third man for a single. Chennai and he are off the mark.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Starts off with a ball on the money on a length outside off, Watson pushes it towards extra cover, feeling the ball on bat.
We are back for the chase. Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu, the openers for Chennai. The Delhi side is in a huddle before they head to their fielding positions. 147 to defend, Ishant Sharma with the new ball in hand. Let's play!!!