IPL 2019, Qualifier 2: CSK v DC – Experience triumphs over Youth
Delhi Capitals’ dream journey in the IPL 2019 came to an end yesterday against Chennai Super Kings at Visakhapatnam. The second qualifier was won comprehensively by CSK thus setting up the fourth clash of titans in the final on Sunday. Shreyas Iyer and his youthful team will have to wait another year to have a shot at the IPL trophy.
The track at Visakhapatnam didn’t offer a run-feast. On a slowish track, that suited CSK’s bowling style, teams found the runs hard to come by. The experienced unit of Chennai Super Kings extracted full help from the conditions and reigned supreme over the young Delhi Capitals team. Here are the major talking points from the second qualifier.
Spin takes DC down
CSK captain MS Dhoni wasted no time in bringing his legendary spinners into the equation. Harbhajan Singh was brought on only in the third over. The offspinner sent back Shikhar Dhawan in his second over and dented DC’s hopes of a steady start. Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir followed suit and the runs dried up for Delhi side. The trio together bowled 11 overs and picked up 5/82.
Pant emulates Dhoni
DC wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, not included in India’s World Cup squad, received a lot of flak about throwing his wicket away in crucial moments. Walking out to bat at 57/3 in nine overs, he had time in his hand to get set and control the innings. Pant batted in the mould of his idol, MS Dhoni, and remained cautions till the end overs. He attacked spinners in the 16th and 17th over and eventually perished for 38(25) with two fours and a six.
Ishant!
Pant was dismissed with eight balls remaining in the innings; the score at that moment was 125/8. With only tail-enders to follow, DC would have hoped to end up somewhere around 135 but no one imagined what transpired next.
Amit Mishra scooped the last ball of the 19th over for a boundary. MSD handed the last over to Ravindra Jadeja. Trent Boult smashed him for a six on the second ball and was out on the following delivery. Ishant Sharma then clobbered four and a six on the last two balls to amaze everyone. DC added 22 runs in the last eight balls and finished with a decent score of 147/9.
Shane Watson during his half-century (Photo: AFP)
Yes, no and fifties
CSK had struggled at the top with its top order not firing consistently. The duo of Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis began with a disastrous mix-up which will be watched on Youtube for the years to come. The calling remained patchy but the openers stacked runs in front of their name. They added 82 runs for the first wicket in 10.2 overs and took the sting out of the target. Watson and du Plessis were dismissed on the same individual score, 50.
IPL’s El Clasico
Ambati Rayudu completed the six-wicket win for CSK and sealed their spot in the final of IPL 2019. This will be the eighth appearance in the final for the franchise in 10 seasons. They will be confronting Mumbai Indians for the fourth time with the past record of 1-2 in three games. This will also be the fourth encounter between MI and CSK in IPL 2019 with MI leading 3-0. The winner of this mega-clash on Sunday at Hyderabad will become the most successful team in IPL history.
