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MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cemented their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 playoffs with a massive 77-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on May 20. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway’s 141-run opening partnership helped CSK post 223/3 which was too much for an inconsistent batting lineup to chase down despite skipper David Warner’s 86-run knock. The comprehensive win also boosted CSK’s net run rate (NRR) and increased their chances of finishing in top two to get a direct entry into first qualifier.
Chahar strikes in powerplay again
Chasing 224, Prithvi Shaw lost his wicket in the second over to Tushar Deshpande as Ambati Rayudu took a blinder at mid-off. DC had nine runs on the board after three overs. In the fifth over, Warner took on Deepak Chahar and hit him for a six and a four. But Chahar came back well with wickets of overseas stars Philip Salt and Rilee Rossouw off consecutive deliveries. Warner ended the powerplay overs with a six as DC had 34/3 on the board.
Warner's lone attack
Yash Dhull struggled to hit a single boundary. In the ninth over, Warner took on Ravindra Jadeja hitting him for a six and a four. At halfway stage, DC were 72/3 with required run rate over 15 runs per over. In the 11th over, Dhull went for a big shot but gout caught at backward point. He scored 13 runs from 15 balls. Jadeja's last over turned out to be expensive as he conceded 23 runs. First Axar hit him for a six then Warner followed it up with one four and two sixes. Chahar came back into the attack and dismissed Axar who was caught at long on. The all-rounder scored 15 runs from eight balls.
Aman Hakim Khan struggled to even rotate the strike. In the 16th over, Khan got his first boundary. Warner entered the 80s with two consecutive fours off Deshpande. Matheesha Pathirana ended Khan's stay at the crease as Moeen Ali took an easy catch. Lalit Yadav lacked confidence and did not hit a single boundary. In the penultimate over, Warner went for a big shot against Pathirana but got caught at long-on. The skipper scored 86 runs from 58 balls including seven fours and five sixes. In the last over, Theekshana dismissed Lalit and Kuldeep Yadav off consecutive balls. The Sri Lankan spinner bowled a double wicket-maiden as DC could post 146/9 and lost the match by 77 runs.
Gaikwad, Conway's record partnership
Earlier, Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat first. Gaikwad and Conway got CSK off to a flyer. Warner's bowling changes did not work as CSK breached the 50-run mark in the fifth over itself. Chetan Sakariya bowled an economical over as CSK posted 52 runs on the board after powerplay overs. Boundaries dried up for a while. In the 10th over, Gaikwad hit Axar for two sixes. He reached his third fifty for the reason from 37 balls. At halfway stage, CSK were 87/0.
Conway accelerated as well and hit Sakariya for two fours in the next over. Gaikwad went ballistic in the 12th over as he hit Kuldeep Yadav for three consecutive sixes in the 12th over. Gaikwad did not spare Nortje and hit him for a six next over. Conway got to his half-century with a six. The Kiwi batter took just 33 deliveries to reach 50-run mark. Sakariya was brought back into the attack and he delivered. Gaikwad's top edge was taken by Rossouw. The opener scored 79 runs from 50 deliveries including three fours and seven sixes. He shared a 141-run opening partnership with Conway.
Dube, Jadeja's cameos
Shivam Dube got a promotion up the order with few overs to go. Dube hit Lalit for a massive six. The off-spinner went for 19 runs in the over. Conway then hit Nortje for a four and a six next over. Dube understood the role well and hit Khaleel for two sixes. The left-arm pacer managed to get Dube's wicket last ball. He scored 22 runs from nine balls. With two overs to go, Dhoni promoted himself up the order. In the penultimate over, Nortje got rid of Conway with a slower ball. The southpaw scored 87 runs from 52 balls including 11 fours and three sixes. Jadeja hit a six and four in the over to get CSK past 200-run mark. In the last over, Sakariya erred and Jadeja hit him for consecutive fours. He bowled a no ball as well but Dhoni could not hit the free hit delivery for a six. Jadeja's 7-ball 20 helped CSK post 223/3.
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