Delhi ends Chennai's unbeaten streak
The Delhi Daredevils ended the four-match winning streak by the Chennai Super Kings, defeating them by eight wickets in Match 20 of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL).
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the only undefeated captain in the IPL so far, went into bat after winning the toss at their home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chennai. For the first time in the series, Dhoni was without the services of his veteran players, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and Jacob Oram who resumed duty for their international sides.
The Chennai Super Kings put up a series of decent partnerships but lacked the quality hitting of the two Australians, Hayden and Hussey. Stephen Fleming got a look-in for the first time in the series, likewise for Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan. While the rookie Indian Vidyut played a good knock of 54 coming off just 37 balls, Fleming could not make the best of his first game in the IPL.
Albie Morkel, the third debutant for Chennai, came in late in the innings after his skipper’s departure and lived up to his reputation of a big hitter by making a handy 28 off 16 balls. Apart from Vidyut and Morkel, only the captain MS Dhoni showed some resolve making 32 at over a run- a-ball.
Among the Delhi bowlers, Glenn McGrath was yet again the best bowler on show picking up one wicket for 21 runs from his 4-over spell. Yo Mahesh complemented him beautifully and picked up a single wicket for 31 runs.
In reply, the Delhi Daredevils began their innings in grand style with both openers, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir stroking the ball to all parts of the ground. Both openers have been in fine form throughout the tournament so it was no surprise that runs came at more than 10 an over for the Daredevils.
Manpreet Gony drew first blood for Chennai scalping Sehwag’s wicket in the 12th over. But by then, the damage had been done. 115 runs were already on the board and for the first time in the IPL, the Super Kings looked uneasy. Gambhir fell shortly after his captain but not before reaching his third fifty of the tournament. He is now the highest scorer in the IPL.
With the asking rate at a paltry 5 runs per over at that stage, it was only a formality for Shikhar Dhawan and AB de Villiers to stay at the crease and make sure their side gets home without another glitch, a task which they accomplished with ease.
Among the Chennai bowlers, only Makhaya Ntini (0-29) and Muttiah Muralidaran (1-27) kept the run rate under check. The rest of the Chennai bowling took a beating from Sehwag who ended up making 71 off 41 deliveries and was named Player of the Match.
Delhi won the match comfortably by 8 wickets, thus putting an end to Chennai’s unblemished record in the tournament so far and taking the lead in the IPL points table with 4 wins and a sole loss.
In Match 21 of the IPL, the Bangalore Royal Challengers will take on the Deccan Chargers at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore today.