Mumbai: A batting masterclass from openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan powered Delhi Capitals to a 7-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the 2nd match of the IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium, here on Saturday.
A fantastic fifty by Suresh Raina (54 off 36) and late blitz by Sam Curran (34 off 15) propelled Chennai Super Kings to a total of 188/7 in 20 overs.
In reply, Delhi Capitals gunned down the target in just 18.4 overs to get their campaign off to a strong start.
Chasing a target of 189 for victory, Shikhar Dhawan (85 off 54 balls) and Prithvi Shaw (72 off 38 balls) added 138 for the opening stand.
Both Dhawan and Shaw were not able to carry their bat, but they had done enough damage. Captain Rishabh Pant, who promoted himself to No. 3, and Marcus Stoinis completed the formality.
Shaw's innings had nine boundaries and three sixes while Dhawan hit 10 fours and 2 sixes.
Though, Dhawan and Shaw were not able to carry their bat, but they had done enough damage. In the end, captain Rishabh Pant (15 off 12), who promoted himself to No 3, and Marcus Stoinis (14 off 9 ) completed the formality.
Earlier, CSK were off to a horrible start as they lost openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis cheaply.
Pacer Avesh Khan drew first blood for Delhi Capitals trapping du Plessis plumb in front of the stumps for 0 while Chris Woakes got rid of Gaikwad for 5 (8 balls).
However, the comeback man Suresh Raina, who had missed the last IPL owing to personal reasons -and Moeen Ali revived CSK's innings. Moeen played a 24-ball 36 knock before getting out to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ambati Rayudu came in started hitting big shots from the first few balls. He smashed a couple of sixes and a four to race away to 23 off 16 balls before Tom Curran ended his stay in the middle.
Meanwhile, Raina continued his attacking batting from other end, before getting run-out following a mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja (26).
The duo of Jadeja and Sam Curran smashed Delhi bowlers in last few overs ensured that CSK finish well. Their power-packed batting yielded 52 runs for CSK last five overs and took CSK to 188/7 in 20 overs.
Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers for DC as he picked two wickets for 23 runs in his four overs including Du Plessis and MS Dhoni.(UNI)
