CSK seal IPL 2023 playoffs berth with 77-run win over DC

Published on: May 21, 2023

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hammered Delhi Capitals (DC) by 77 runs in match number 67 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, May 20. With the thumping win, CSK also confirmed their place in the playoffs.

Batting first after winning the toss in the first match of the double-header, Chennai posted a massive 223/3 on the board in their 20 overs. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway were terrific, adding 141 for the first wicket in 14.3 overs. While Gaikwad contributed 79 off 50 balls, hitting three fours and seven sixes, Conway hammered 87 in 52, a knock which included 11 fours and three sixes.

Shivam Dube also chipped in 22 off 9 balls, smacking three sixes in his cameo, while Ravindra Jadeja was unbeaten on 20 off 7, a knock which featured three fours and a six. For DC, Khaleel Ahmed, Lalit Yadav and Anrich Nortje picked up one wicket each.

Delhi’s chase was a one-man show, with skipper David Warner contributing 86 off 58 balls, while the next best score in the innings was 15 by Axar Patel. Warner slammed seven fours and five sixes, even as wickets kept falling at the other end.

Prithvi Shaw fell to Tushar Deshpande for 5, while Deepak Chahar got the scalps of Phil Salt (3), Rilee Rossouw (0) and Axar Patel (15). Jadeja chipped in with the wicket of Yash Dhull (13), even as Matheesha Pathirana dismissed Aman Hakim Khan (7) before getting the big wicket of Warner. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana also helped himself to a couple of scalps towards the end, sending back Lalit Yadav (6) and Kuldeep Yadav (0). Delhi Capitals finished on a disappointing 146/9.

Reflecting on an important win, skipper MS Dhoni said, “There is no recipe for success, you try and pick the best players and give them the best slot to perform. And groom them in the areas where they are not strong, somebody has to sacrifice their slot for the team. Credit to the management as well, they always back us. But, the players are most important, without the players we can't do anything.”

On the impressive death bowling, he added, “I think death bowling, confidence is very important. Tushar has developed because he is able to execute under pressure, he has the confidence now. And when you keep playing the same players, it helps. I think the bowlers have also taken the responsibility.”

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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