IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals gets better of vintage MS Dhoni's cameo to register their first win
Xtra Time Web Desk: Delhi Capitals defeats Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs in match 13 of IPL 2024, on 31st march at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. Finishing touches from vintage Mahendra Singh Dhoni could not save his side from defeat, as DC survived his late surge. Despite Matheesha Pathirana’s blinder and three wickets, the Chennai batters could not reach the target of 192. Mukesh Kumar stood out amongst the DC bowlers. His superb spell helped his side to restrict the opposition to 171. DC also registered their first win of the season.
Winning the toss against Chennai, DC skipper Rishabh Pant opted to bat first. Batting first, David Warner and Prithvi Shaw set the stage with a solid 93-run opening stand. Shaw announced his comeback with fierce 43 off 27. Along with him was David Warner who scored 52 off 35. However, the standout performance of the day came from captain Rishabh Pant, whose blistering 32-ball 51 provided the much-needed momentum towards the end of the innings. At one point, a 200+ score on the board looked like a natural conclusion of DC’s innings. A magic happed in the third ball of the 9th over. Slower length ball does the trick for Mustafizur Rahman to get the dangerous Warner, Pathirana flies to his right and took a sensational catch.
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Chennai's chase got off to a rocky start as openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra departed early. Rahane and Mitchell then took charge, maintaining the tempo by rotating the strike effectively. However, their partnership was cut short in the 11th over with Mitchell's dismissal. Mukesh Kumar's devastating over further rattled Chennai, dismissing Rahane and Sameer Rizvi. Despite this setback, CSK appeared resilient with Jadeja and Dube at the crease. However, Mukesh Kumar continued his dominance, claiming his third victim by removing Dube. The much-awaited entry of Mahendra Singh Dhoni saw him scoring four off his very first ball, but his late surge, along with Jadeja's, proved futile for Chennai. Khalil Ahmed emerged as the player of the match, delivering a stellar performance by conceding only 21 runs and claiming two crucial wickets, including a maiden over.
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