Shane Watson and MS Dhoni scored scintillating half-centuries to set up a 13-run win over Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League match at the MCA stadium on Monday. After this win the two-time IPL champions edge closer to a play-off berth. Watson (78 off 40) and Dhoni (51* off 22) gave a masterclass in power hitting to fire Super Kings to 211/4 after Daredevils opted to field on a good batting surface. Needing more than 10 an over put scoreboard pressure on the visitors and they wilted under pressure. Rishabh Pant (79 off 45) and Vijay Shankar (51* off 31) ensured Daredevils get closer to the target but it was not enough as they ended at 198 for five. Super Kings pacer Lungi Ngidi impressed on his IPL debut, ending with figures of one for 26 in four overs. It was Delhi’s sixth loss in eight games and now they are all but out of the play-off race. With a sixth win in eight games, CSK further consolidated their position at the top of the points table. They are tied on 12 points with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Delhi kept losing wickets in the chase and at 74 for four in ninth over, it was all over for them.
Earlier, Watson was back to his brutal best after three low scores and shared a 102-run opening off 66 balls stand with Faf du Plessis (33) after surviving a close lbw call on the first ball of the match.
Dhoni showed his devastating touch in the last five overs which produced 74 runs. It was also Dhoni’s second fastest fifty in the IPL.
Prasanta Patnaik