CSK are peaking up at the right time. They are now at fourth place in points table. Chennai Super Kings bowlers exposed the vulnerability of the Delhi Daredevils’ top-order as the table toppers could manage a meagre 114 for five. Chennai Super Kings kept their playoff hopes alive with a ruthless performance against the table-leaders Delhi Daredevils. CSK won toss and choose fielding which put DD to bat first, which is not the comfort zone Daredevils and they managed only 114. Super Kings coasted home courtesy an opening stand of 75, which helped them power back to No. 4.
Lions of Den: CSK grab easy win against table leaders
Opting to bowl on a track where the ball did a fair bit during initial stages, CSK bowlers were led by Ben Hilfenhaus.Daredevils never recovered when Ben Hilfenhaus sent Sehwag’s off stump for a tumble in the opening over. David Warner, who gave the Indian bowlers in Deccan Chargers a hiding in Hyderabad, was now confronted with the quality of Hilfenhaus, who was caught at mid-off. Ojha, who played a blinder couple of days back gloved one which Dhoni fumbled twice before clutching onto it. Daredevils were crawling at 27 for 4 after the Power Play and the middle order was pushed to the deep end. Boundaries were like a mirage in the desert – the drought lasted 32 deliveries before Venugopal Rao charged Ravindra Jadeja and lofted it over wide long-on.
The total Delhi set was never going to be enough and CSK openers Mike Hussey (38, 32 balls, 5×4, 1×6) and Murali Vijay (48 no, 40 balls, 5×4, 1×6)ensured that there are no hiccups as they put on 75 runs for the opening stand in first 10 overs. The Daredevils bowlers couldn’t extract the same kind of purchase and looked a deflated outfit, as if waiting to be struck down. Daredevils managed a total of seven boundaries in their innings; Super Kings knocked off the same number before the sixth over. Pace may be Daredevils’ forte, but it counted for nothing today as they bowled the wrong lengths.
The batsman who had everything to gain was M Vijay. With underwhelming returns of 134 runs from nine games, the pressure was on him to reproduce his form from last season. Michael Hussey’s enterprising start took the weight off Vijay’s shoulders, as he played himself in initially, before opening up. He picked consecutive boundaries off Umesh Yadav, pulling and clipping past fine leg.
Super Kings are known for their last-minute scrambles. With two wins on the trot, the momentum is with them again. The emphatic victory with 28 balls to spare also ensured that CSK with 15 points moved upto fourth spot ahead of Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Tags: Chennai Super Kings, Cricket, CSK, DD, Delhi Daredevils, IPL
