DD beat CSK by 34 runs. (Source: BCCI)
Delhi Daredevils pulled off a massive upset in the Indian Premier League, 2018 after beating Chennai Super Kings by 34 runs on Friday evening. With the threat of an imminent storm passing away, pride was at stake for the Daredevils while a chance to finish atop the IPL points table beckoned the Super Kings. On a wicket which was on the drier side and showed signs of breaking up, MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to field first. Initially, the decision seemed a wise one as DD’s batting order failed to deliver once again. However, Harshal Patel and Vijay Shankar’s cameos towards the end lifted DD to 162/5 in 20 overs. 26 runs came off the last over bowled by DJ Bravo which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides. Chasing below par scores can be tricky on two-paced surfaces and CSK’s habit of taking run chases to the final overs proved fatal as none of the batsmen except Amabti Rayudu got going. DD’s bowlers were equally impressive with leg spinners- Amit Mishra, Sandeep Lamichhane taking pace of the ball and bagging wickets at regular intervals. Harshal Patel also rolled his arm over, picking up the key wicket of Ambati Rayudu to set up the win. Unfortunately for Delhi, this triumph counts for nothing. DD now has four wins in 13 matches while CSK suffered its fifth defeat in as many games.
In what was considered to be a dead rubber, DD would have hoped to entertain their fans with some fireworks but the only excitement which seemed forthcoming throughout their lackluster innings was from the DJ’s console blaring some of the famous Bollywood hit songs from 90’s.
Harshal Patel’s cameo (36 off 16) has allowed @DelhiDaredevils to come back into the game and they have posted a challenging 162/5. Can they defend this now? #DDvCSK #VIVOIPL
Details – https://t.co/1ZUDd5XKSx pic.twitter.com/Ytwf9lom8s
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2018
Daredevils’ approach of fielding just three overseas players- Trent Boult, Glenn Maxwell, and Sandeep Lamichhane backfired massively as an off-color Glen Maxwell continued his no-show, putting pressure on the young Indian contingent to deliver. An immaculate opening spell by Deepak Chahar put DD on the backfoot from the start. Opener Prithvi Shaw got a life in the third over of the match but fell in the next to Chahar. A labourious start resulted in 50 runs coming up in 7.4 overs.
Just when it seemed like DD were about to get a move on with Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant forging a 54-run stand, Lungi Ngidi gave the breakthrough by dismissing Iyer for 19. The middle-order batsmen were guilty of going for the glory shot from ball one without even getting their eye in and from 78/2 (10.3 overs), DD were suddenly floundering at 97/5 in 13.5 overs. Ravindra Jadeja, who was miserly with the ball, kept things tight at one end while Ngidi kept chipping away wickets from the other.
However, Ricky Ponting’s timely intervention and words of wisdom to the duo of Harshal Patel and Vijay Shankar in between the 14’th over helped to restore semblance in the middle. Together they went on to forge a match-winning partnership of 65 runs (32 balls ) for the 6th wicket to save Delhi the blushes. 26 runs off the final over as Patel hit 3 sixes and DD ended up with a fighting total of 162.
CSK have been one of the best batting sides in the tournament maintaining a run rate of 9.23 throughout their innings. However, openers Shane Watson and Amabti Rayudu struggled to get going as the bowlers deceived with them with subtle variations in line and length and pace. Only 22 runs came in the first five overs, as the asking run-rate climbed up at quick pace. Watson’s struggles at the crease was ended by Amit Mishra who dismissed him for 14 (23 balls). Inform batsman Rayudu kept the scoreboard ticking but fell after a 29-ball fifty.
Rayudu’s departure took a hit on the run-rate as the other batsmen simply could not get a move on. None of the batters were able to middle the ball and shot-making proved difficult with each passing over. With 69 required off the last five overs, the presence of MS Dhoni kept CSK in the hunt. But his dismissal was the final nail in the coffin as DD restricted their opponents to 128/6 to earn a morale boosting win.
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