Squads:
Chennai Super Kings Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood, Suresh Raina, Imran Tahir, Jason Behrendorff, Krishnappa Gowtham, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Hari Nishanth, N Jagadeesan, KM Asif, Harishankar Reddy, Dominic Drakes, Bhagath Varma, Karn Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara
Delhi Capitals Squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Shreyas Iyer, Shimron Hetmyer, Ripal Patel, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Anrich Nortje, Vishnu Vinod, Kulwant Khejroliya, Lalit Yadav, Praveen Dubey, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Curran, Lukman Meriwala, Marcus Stoinis, Sam Billings, Steven Smith, Umesh Yadav, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma
MS Dhoni and Robin Uthappa go back a long way. They made their India debuts around the same, mid 2000, and Robin, along with Suresh Raina, was part of the original Dhoni gang. Back then, they famously got along while in India blues and were also spotted during their buddy vacations to Coorg during off-season. Uthappa wasn't just Robin to the Batman Dhoni, as we now know he also played the cupid. Years later, Dhoni's wife Sakshi in an Insta revelation would post her 30th birthday picture with a caption: "Thanks to this man here, Mahi and I are together!!! It was great meeting you Robbie and Sheethal." The notoriously discreet Dhoni too would be seen on the twitter timeline of Uthappas - flashing a broad smile in family pictures with their respective tiny tots hovering around. How time flies. At the start of this season when the Royals let go Robin go, CSK would scoop him. Anticipating snide remarks, Robin would give out disclaimer: “Dhoni told me, ‘I want you to know that I didn't make the decision about you coming in here." It was his way of saying, he was wearing CSK yellow because of his skills. Dhoni for one knew that Robin can be trusted in crunch situations. During the 2007 World Cup in that tied India-Pakistan league game, Robin had a half-century and more importantly hit the stumps in the 'bowl out'. And on the Dubai evening, when Dhoni, not among runs in this IPL leg, wanted someone to push CSK in the final and take the critical eye away from his personal form, it was his trusted friend who delivered. With Robin and Gaikwad doing the hard yards, Dhoni gave his usual finishing touch. This time he hit a four, he might have saved the six for the final.
MS Dhoni and Robin Uthappa go back a long way. They made their India debuts around the same, mid 2000, and Robin, along with Suresh Raina, was part of the original Dhoni gang. Back then, they famously got along while in India blues and were also spotted during their buddy vacations to Coorg during off-season. Uthappa wasn't just Robin to the Batman Dhoni, as we now know he also played the cupid. Years later, Dhoni's wife Sakshi in an Insta revelation would post her 30th birthday picture with a caption: "Thanks to this man here, Mahi and I are together!!! It was great meeting you Robbie and Sheethal." The notoriously discreet Dhoni too would be seen on the twitter timeline of Uthappas - flashing a broad smile in family pictures with their respective tiny tots hovering around. How time flies. At the start of this season when the Royals let go Robin go, CSK would scoop him. Anticipating snide remarks, Robin would give out disclaimer: “Dhoni told me, ‘I want you to know that I didn't make the decision about you coming in here." It was his way of saying, he was wearing CSK yellow because of his skills. Dhoni for one knew that Robin can be trusted in crunch situations. During the 2007 World Cup in that tied India-Pakistan league game, Robin had a half-century and more importantly hit the stumps in the 'bowl out'. And on the Dubai evening, when Dhoni, not among runs in this IPL leg, wanted someone to push CSK in the final and take the critical eye away from his personal form, it was his trusted friend who delivered. With Robin and Gaikwad doing the hard yards, Dhoni gave his usual finishing touch. This time he hit a four, he might have saved the six for the final.
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Shreyas Iyer hadn't gotten going when Delhi Capitals batted, getting a sub-terrestrial T20 strike rate of 12.50. When DC defended, he made up for missing out with the bat. He tried, at least. His resolve to contribute was firm like the black headband tautly holding his vertical outcrop of golden streaked hair. First was a clever catch at long-on to send back Uthappa who was looking to finish this off by himself. But setting a kitten amongst pigeons, Iyer would keep his head in a cha-cha-cha catch at the boundary. The ball had sailed in between mid wicket and long on, and Iyer while holding onto the running catch, had failed to brake his run inside the ropes. He'd toss the ball back, watch Axar Patel hover uncertainly around him, but pop it slightly to step in and complete the catch. Later he would finish a pick-and-throw in quick step, sending back Ambati Rayudu with a rocket throw to Rabada inches away from the stumps, to lend some late drama to CSK's chase. Then Dhoni rained down on his redemption.
And Dhoni hits a 4. Over extra cover. This is going to be a grand stand finish. And another one to follow. Oh how the script has changed. And a 4 again. It's over. CSK has won. Over and over again this man finishes matches in this way.
And a wicket off the first ball. Moeen Ali is gone. Curran gets his third wicket. Rabada takes the catch. CSK 160/6 after 19.1 overs.
Dhoni now on strike. And would you know it. A 6 to get off the mark. Just MSD tings. 11 off the over. Just 1 over left now. CSK 160/5 after 19 overs.
Aaaaaaand gone. Big wicket. Gaikwad, out Caught by Axar!! In the airrr, brilliant diving catch by Axar. CSK 5 down. CSK 149/5 after 18.1 over.
Rishabh 'Spidey' Pant gritted his teeth and flared his nostrils when collecting a wild wandering throw that allowed Robin Uthappa to saunter in for a third. The chirpy keeper, now and then pulling on the visage of a stern captain, was unhappy with the lounging-pace throw from third man that let Ruturaj Gaikwad add three after dissecting deep point and third man. Saving the boundary was hardly any solace, even as DC were cantering to their second-wicket partnership with both headed to half centuries. Pant backing up on the throw, would frown his irritation and use his keeper gloves to mock-slap at the stumps - the ever-grinning goof giving a rare grim grump. Three wickets quickly thereafter would bring a hint of a smile back to Rishabh, but Gaikwad and Uthappa seemed to have inflicted enough damage to paste a start of a frown on Pant's face as the spidey's web was used more like a mosquito swatter.
Nortje to finish off his spell. Comes to bowl the 18th over. Gaikwad does not care. Hits the first ball for a four. The 5th ball is also it for a 4. 11 to end the over. 2 left now. CSK 149/4 after 18 overs.
Avesh was bowling a good over until he gets hit for a 4 by Gaikwad. Beautifully times shot. Only 9 off the over though. CSK 138/4 after 17 overs.
Nortje starts the 16th over. Run rate slowly creeping up. Ali hits a 4 to end the over. 8 off it. Still some work to do. CSK Need 44 from the reamining 4 overs. CSK 129/4 after 16 overs.
Rabada in to ball. And Rayadu is run out. Top,top fielding. CSK 119/4. 3 wickets lost in no time.
And Curron takes his second wicket as Thakur goes for a duck. CSK 117/3 after 14 overs. 6 runs and 2 wickets.
And DC gets the important Uthappa wicket. Smartly completed by Iyer at long-on after a bit of muddle there! CSK 113/2 after 13.3 overs
Uthappa hits a 4 off Ashwin's second ball. 100 partnership up. And he hits one straight down the ground for another 4. 12 off the over. 111/1 after 12 overs.
Gaikwad hits a maximum off Axar. Did just enough and it crosses the boundary. And a 4 to follow. Over the bowler's head.13 off the over. CSK 94/1 after 11 overs.
Curran back to bowl. Just 6 off this over as well. DC bowlers have really put the brakes on this CSK innings. Uthappa gets 50 though. CSK 81/1 after 10 overs.
Ashwin in to ball. The last two overs have been good from Delhi's perspective. Just 4 and 5 off them respectively. Just 7 off it as well. Some slow overs. CSK 75/1 after 9 overs.
And the last over of the powerplay. And Avesh gets hit for a 6 by Uthappa in the second ball. And a 4 to follow. Uthappa is hitting them everywhere. And another 6. This is turning into an expensive over. 50 partnership up for these two. And a 4 to finish it off. CSK 59/1 after 6 overs
And Gaikwad hits a maximum. Rabada goes length ball outside off but Gaikwad skips down the ground and then flat-bats a shot into the sightscreen. Uthappa hits a 4 in the 5th ball. This partnership might get dangerous. 14 off the over. CSK 34/1 after 4 overs.
And Uthappa hits another 4. This time off Avesh. 8 off the second over. CSK 16/1 after 2 overs.
And Uthappa is off the mark with a 4. 8 off the first over but te biggest news is the wicket. CSK 8/1 after 1 over.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and du Plessis are at the crease. Ruturaj Gaikwad is on strike. Nortje will open the attack.And du Plessis is gone. First over. Crackin' delivery. Full ball, seam up. Lands on middle, and skids right through. du Plessis tries to flick across the line but the ball has zipped through the bat-body gap. CSK 1/3 after 0.4 overs.
Last over to be bowled by Thakur. 3 dots to start. And Pant breaks the script and hits a four. Two twos to finish the last over. And Pant gets his 50. Delhi finish at 172/5 after 20 overs.
Aaaaaaand a 6. Pant just clobbers this. Another one-handed shot. And the bat is gone. And now Hetmyer is also gone. Bravo takes an important one. DC 163/5 after 18.54 overs.
defying gravity and age, in pursuit of an edge off Prithvi Shaw’s bat. Like it was the retro-aughts again. Like he was that hipster again, an imaginary halo of flowing hair suddenly building around his yellow cap, the face turning fresh-faced and un-crumpled, his eyes glowing with enthusiasm. For a long time, even during the backend of his international career, Dhoni has restrained from diving full-pelt, with one hand, especially towards the slip cordon. But this time, the old instincts seemed to kick in, fleetingly, before the reality nudged in. But how the illusion crashed down, as the ball just whooshed past his outstretched glove, with a mischievous wink, like an errand vehicle giving the trailing police car a naughty slip. Dhoni plunged onto the grassy baize of the Dubai Stadium, his weary eyes agonisingly watching the ball slip away from his grasp. By then, the hairy halo had long vanished.
Hetmyer has really steadied himself with Pant. Delhi sailing now. Hits a 4 and then Pant hits another one. The last 2 overs have been all about the boundaries. 12 off Hazlewood's over. DC 153/4 after 18 overs
Hetmyer squeezes one for four off Bravo. Bravo bowls very full and a bit wide outside off, as Hetmyer drills that in the gap available. Point dives to his right, but can't get a hand. 7 runs off the over. DC 114/4 after 15 overs.
And Hetmyer hits a 6 off Moeen Ali. Just clears deep midwicket. Decent over from DC's perspective. 11 off the over. DC 107/4 after 14 overs.
And Jadeja has taken the important wicket of Shaw. He has been taken at long-ff. DC 80/4 after 10.2 overs
And Axar is gone. It has been taken off Moeen Ali. Delhi Capitals 77/3 after 9.4 overs.
Shaw scores his fifty with that 4. And another 4 to follow. 10 off Jadeja's over. Decent from DC, especially Shaw. We go for a strategic time out as DC end 9 overs with 74/2.
Jadeja in to bowl. Axar slaps his fourth ball for a 4. 7th over gone. DC 60/2 after 7 overs.
Hazlewood in the attack. Last over of the powerplay. And Iyer is gone. In the air and taken. DC 50/2 after 5.3 overs.
Shardul brought into the attack. Shaw has got going. A huge six. And another one to follow. And he is dropped by Dhoni. Very wide. They needed that wicket. DC 50/1 after 5 overs.
And Dhawan joins the party. Straight down the ground. And Dhawan is gone. CSK get their first wicket. DC 36/1 after 3.2 overs
Chahar back to bowl. Gets hit for a 4 in the 2nd ball off the over. And another one to follow. And a third. 3 fours off the over. Another four to end the over. Kind of poetic. DC 32/0 after 3 overs.
Hazlewood comes in to bowl. And Shaw hits a four off the 3rd ball of Hazlewood. Good shot. And a 6 to follow. DC 15/0 after 2 overs.
Good start for Chahar. Very nice over. Just 3 off the over. Quiet first over. CSK 3/0 after 1 over.
Prithvi Shaw and Dhawan are at the crease. Prithvi Shaw is on strike. Chahar will open the attack
DC have won 10 while CSK have won 15 overall.
At 24 years & six days, Rishabh Pant is the youngest ever to lead a side in IPL playoffs
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is the second oldest captain in IPL PLay-Offs behind Dravid
CSK have chased in five matches this season and have won all five.
Each of the last seven games in Dubai have been won by the chasing side.
Chennai Super Kings XI: F du Plessis, R Gaikwad, M Ali, R Uthappa, A Rayudu, MS Dhoni, R Jadeja, DJ Bravo, S Thakur, D Chahar, J Hazlewood
Delhi Capitals XI: S Dhawan, P Shaw, S Iyer, R Pant, T Curran, S Hetmyer, A Patel, R Ashwin, K Rabada, A Khan, A Nortje
And up goes the coin. Dhoni wins it. CSK will bowl first.
Delhi Capitals: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (capt & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Anrich Nortje.
Chennai Super Kings: Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.
Reda More: CSK vs DC predicted lineups
Welcome to the live commentary of the first qualifier match of IPL 2021 between the Chennai Super Kings and the Delhi Capitals. The team that wins goes straight into the final on October 15. The team that loses gets another shot at making the final when it faces the winner of the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders. We have a great day in store for you. Let's get cracking!!!