Chennai Super Kings put up a commanding performance as they defeated Delhi Capitals by 27 runs in Match 55 of IPL 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Chennai Super Kings batted first and scored a competitive total of 167/8, thanks to a string of cameos from their middle and lower-middle order batsmen, led by MS Dhoni’s 9-ball 20.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals started their chase well but kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and a disciplined bowling effort from Chennai Super Kings led by Matheesha Pathirana (3/37) restricted them to 140/8.
Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat and his decision proved to be worthy. However, Chennai Super Kings got off to a shaky start, with Ruturaj Gaikwad hitting a couple of streaky fours off Ishant Sharma.
Khaleel Ahmed bowled with discipline and was unlucky not to have dismissed Devon Conway, who survived an edge to the keeper that went unnoticed.
David Warner brought Axar Patel into the attack early, and he made an immediate impact by dismissing Conway (11 off 11) LBW off the first ball of his spell. Patel struck again in his next over, dismissing Gaikwad (24 off 18) caught at long off.
Moeen Ali looked to up the scoring but mistimed his loft to depart off Kuldeep Yadav as Chennai Super Kings reached 66/3 at the halfway stage.
Shivam Dube then broke the shackles with a powerful six over wide long-on, and Rahane tried to force things but departed soon after. Dhoni and Jadeja played cameos to take Chennai Super Kings to a competitive total of 167/8.
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In reply, Deepak Chahar provided the early breakthrough for Chennai Super Kings as he dismissed David Warner off the second ball of the first over.
Phil Salt then launched a counter-attack, hitting a four and a six off Tushar Deshpande in the second over. He also smashed a massive six off Chahar, but the pacer had the last laugh as he dismissed Salt (17 off 11) caught at mid-on off the next ball.
Rilee Rossouw and Manish Pandey continued to attack but failed to make a substantial impact as Pathirana dismissed both of them to put Chennai Super Kings in control of the match.
In the end, Chennai Super Kings’ disciplined bowling and excellent fielding proved too much for Delhi Capitals as they secured their seventh win of the tournament.
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