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CryptoCSK beat DC by 6 wickets | Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, Highlights And Cricket Score Qualifier 2 T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: May 10, 2019 Start Time: 19:30 IST | 14:00 GMT | 19:30 LocalVenue: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
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Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings Highlights And Cricket Score Qualifier 2 Match - T20 Commentary
That final question posted to Harbhajan saw him getting nervous. Is he? Does he feel that Delhi have scored 10 runs extra? Then, there is Shane Watson as well. He and his love for big games. Remember the final last year? He has been pretty average in 2019. Is tonight the time for a big knock? The run chase will begin soon...
Harbhajan Singh is having a chat with Murali Kartik. On his 150 wickets in the Indian T20 League, Bhajji smiles and is happy to be competing with the 'young' guys. On this particular year being different, Harbhajan puts that down to playing more games in Chennai, which is more suited to spin bowling. Adds that bowling in the Powerplay has been very much successful for him. On the target of 148, Singh says that Chennai need to bat well as any score in this competition is a big one.
Keep a spinning track and the 'spiders' from Chennai come quickly to spin a web. 2 wickets for Harbhajan and Jadeja while Tahir could have got 2 as well, had Deepak Chahar not messed up a simple catch. The spin trio recorded collective figures of 11-0-82-5, which hurt the middle order of Delhi. Dwayne Bravo finally had a good outing with the ball, with figures of 4-0-19-2. Chahar bowled well as well while Shardul Thakur, hmmm... got the only over.
A scorecard of starts. Dhawan and Iyer could never get going while Munro threw it away after making 27. Rishabh Pant played a sensible innings though, getting run out of partners but could never time his attack. Plenty of hits and misses from the Delhi team but they have scraped their way upto 147, which could be a decent total on this track, though, as per the ground stats, it is 10 runs below par.
Well. 28 runs in the last 2 overs. How much will that hurt Chennai? 22 off those have come after Pant got out. Dhoni was smirking at the end of the innings and he will agree that his bowlers have conceded 10 runs extra. Having said that, at the toss, he would have taken an under-150 score.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ishant Sharma. SIX! What a finish! Take a bow Ishant! Flighted on off, Ishant comes down the track and smashes it over the long off fence for a maximum. 16 runs off the final over. Delhi finish on 147/9 from their 20 overs, their joint 5th lowest total this season.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ishant Sharma. FOUR! Tossed up on middle and leg, Ishant slashes it through mid on. Faf du Plessis runs to his left and looks to stop it with a dive but cannot stop it from going to the fence.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ishant Sharma. Jadeja fires it outside off, Ishant gets onto his back foot and taps it back to Jadeja.
Ishant comes in.
Ravindra Jadeja to Trent Boult. OUT! Jadeja has the final say. Short on middle and leg, Boult looks to smack it but misses. The ball takes the bails on its way as it goes to Dhoni. Boult's minute cameo comes to an end. 150 looks too big a task now.
Ravindra Jadeja to Trent Boult. SIX! Boult has hammered that one. Flighted on middle, Trent thrashes it over the bowler's head for a maximum. 150 now on the cards?
Ravindra Jadeja to Trent Boult. Dropped. Quicker on middle, Boult taps it back to bowler with power. Jadeja who usually catches everything thrown at him cannot hold onto it and he drops it.
Whoa! Ravindra Jadeja to bowl the final over!
Deepak Chahar to Amit Mishra. FOUR! Innovation! Full and outside off, Mishra gets across and scoops it over short fine leg!
Deepak Chahar to Amit Mishra. EXCELLENT EFFORT FROM FAF DU PLESSIS! But has he hurt his shoulder? A full ball, Mishra swings this over long on. Faf du Plessis runs to his right, dives, takes the catch but then realizes that he is tripping over the ropes. He pushes the ball back, mid-air and saves four runs for his side.
Trent Boult walks in.
Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant. OUT! Delhi's last hope to reach over 140 is gone. A very low full toss outside off, Pant looks to play it across the line and smack it over long on. He does not get the timing on it. Bravo who is inside the rope, runs to his left and takes a good catch jumping high. Chahar gets his second of the evening. A well built innings from Rishabh Pant comes to an end without the final flourish.
Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant. What happened there? A slower ball from Chahar, on a length, Pant looks to play the reverse pull but the ball comes on slowly and he gets a top edge towards cover. Rayudu takes his own sweet time in returning the ball and the batsmen take two!
Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant. Shorter in length, swiped through mid-wicket. Pant takes Jadeja on and still completes the second.
Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant. A slower one, outside off, on a length, swung towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Deepak Chahar to bowl the 19th over. 3-0-16-1 so far.
Dwayne Bravo to Amit Mishra. Low full toss on leg, Mishra tucks it to fine leg and Pant refuses to take the single. Tremendous over from Bravo. Just 3 runs and a wicket. He finishes with the figures of 4-0-19-2.
Amit Mishra walks in. Swing for the beaches, if you want to. If you get out, no issues. But give Rishabh Pant the strike next ball.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. OUT! Cleaned up. Perfect ball. A great over this from Bravo. He bowls a perfect yorker on the leg pole. Paul has no option but to swing his bat at everything as the run rate is too low. He misses but Bravo does not. The leg stump goes for a toss. Bravo is up in celebration and Keemo walks back with his head down.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. A very low full toss wide of Pant. Smart bowling this as Pant likes to swing his arms. He cannot do much and gets a single to sweeper cover.
Something is happening. Ricky Ponting is having an animated discussion with reserve umpire Anil Chaudhury. Okay. So here is the scenario. In the previous over, Jagadeesha Suchith was seen running in and helping Rishabh Pant with a new grip. However, umpire Ravi shoos him away, not allowing the grip exchange to happen. The Delhi dugout is not that happy. However, the umpires have put their foot down regarding the time wastage.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. Oh, so close. Paul almost chopped it on. Length ball outside off, Paul swings his bat at it. He gets an inside edge which marginally misses the off pole and goes to fine leg for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. Full on off, Paul comes down the track and hit it but hits it to the right of the bowler who stops it.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. Length ball on the leg side, Paul looks to pull but misses. For some reason it has not been signalled as wide.
Dwayne Bravo to Keemo Paul. WIDE! Not an ideal start to his final over. He bowls it full down the leg side, Keemo looks to flick but misses. Wide signalled.
Dwayne Bravo to bowl out. 3-0-16-1 so far.
Imran Tahir to Keemo Paul. Full and around middle, Paul does not pick the wrong 'un and swings wildly. The ball runs off the inner half of the bat through square leg and the run is taken.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Pushes this through mid on for a run.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. SIX! A catch taken but Chahar has stepped over the ropes! Imran Tahir was ready to run a marathon to celebrate his second wicket but cannot do so. Full and outside off, the googly, Pant looks to heave this across the line but gets a massive top edge. Deepak Chahar settles himself at the ropes at long on and takes the catch. But then, he realizes that he is going over. Tries to push the ball back into play but just lobs it straight up in the air instead. Takes it embarrassingly. Dhoni is ready for some tea pots in the dressing room.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Perfect bisection! Full and outside off, Pant gets down and sweeps this hard. Deep square leg runs to his right, mid-wicket runs to his left in the deep but the ball splits them perfectly.
Imran Tahir to Keemo Paul. Outside off, Paul flat-bats this past the bowler towards long off for a run.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Full and around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Tahir is back on.
Harbhajan Singh to Keemo Paul. Outside off, punched back to the bowler. 9 runs but the wicket of Rutherford as well from it. 4-0-31-2 for the offie in Qualifier 2.
Keemo Paul walks in next.
Harbhajan Singh to Sherfane Rutherford. OUT! The experience of Harbhajan Singh has the last laugh over the young West Indian. Bhajji tosses it up outside off, Rutherford looks to drive it over mid off but gets a thick outside edge which flies towards short third man. Shane Watson runs to his right. Not too far, just a bit and gulps an easy catch.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. On off, Pant tucks it to the on side for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Sherfane Rutherford. Short and wide, this time Rutherford punches it to cover for a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Sherfane Rutherford. SIX! Woah! That's some shot. Shorter on off, Rutherford gets on his back foot and smashes it over extra-cover. First maximum of the day and that also brings up the 100 for Delhi.
Harbhajan Singh to Rishabh Pant. Short and spinning away from the southpaw. Pant punches it to sweeper cover for a single.
Harbhajan Singh returns. 3-0-22-1 so far.
STRATEGIC BREAK. 5 overs left, 5 wickets in hand. Can Delhi reach 150 from here? More, if Pant hangs around for a while. If he departs quickly, Chennai might eye a target of 10-15 runs lesser. We have one over of Chahar, one of Harbhajan, 2 of Jadeja and one of Tahir left. So Dhoni is sorted. Bravo has one too, if needed. Don't think Thakur will bowl again. So that brings us to the question - whom will Pant and Rutherford target?
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. Slower delivery on the body, Pant tucks it to the on side and gets a single. Another excellent over from Bravo. He has been difficult to hit this evening so far.
Dwayne Bravo to Sherfane Rutherford. Quick yorker on middle and leg, Rutherford jams it out towards long on and rotates the strike.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. Length ball on off, Pant taps it to third man and gets a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Sherfane Rutherford. No, the Free Hit does not cost Chennai much. Full on off, Rutherford cannot get under it and hits it to long on for just a run. Excellent ball from Bravo.
FREE HIT. Where does Rutherford see this going?
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. NO BALL! Full toss over the waist height. Pant does not make the most of it and hits it towards long on off the lower half of his bat. Will this cost Chennai?
Dwayne Bravo to Sherfane Rutherford. That has hurt. Rutherford hammers this straight back and Pant tries to get his left leg out of the way but the ball bounces and hits him smack on the left boot. Rishabh hobbles across to the other end for the run. The ball goes to long off.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. Works this through mid-wicket for a single.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. Low full toss on the pads, Sherfane taps it back to the bowler. Good solid over from Tahir.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. Hat-trick of play and miss here. Floated outside off, Rutherford looks to sweep it but misses. He is struggling to pick Tahir.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. Another play and miss. Straight and quicker outside off, Rutherford has a heave at it but misses.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. Leg spinner quicker outside off, Rutherford looks to cut it but misses.
Imran Tahir to Sherfane Rutherford. NOT OUT, FOUR LEG BYES! Take a bow, Bruce Oxenford. Full and outside off, spinning in, Rutherford looks to defend but misses. The ball hits the pads and Tahir is halfway down the pitch, almost charging towards the umpire in an appeal. Oxenford stays put and Tahir now walks towards Dhoni. MS does not actually want to take it initially but then consents to go with Imran. Impact looks to be in question but Ball Tracker shows it to be fine. However, here comes the twist. It is projected to bounce over the stumps! Review lost for Chennai. Can't believe that it is going over.
Has the 6th wicket fallen? Tahir reckons this is out. Dhoni is cautious. A massive discussion goes on and eventually, just before the timer goes to 0, MSD signals the review. This could be close... No inside edge. But going over!
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Sherfane Rutherford. On the body, Sherfane taps it back to the bowler. Brilliant over from Dwayne. 2 runs and a wicket. Champion stuff.
Sherfane Rutherford walks in now.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. OUT! Straight to Tahir. Tremendous over from Bravo. Just 2 runs off the first 4 and the 5th ball is a wicket. Bravo bangs it in short. Axar looks to ramp this over third man. The energetic leggie, Imran Tahir is stationed there. He does not move an inch and the ball goes straight to him. He accepts the catching practice. Delhi lose their 5th and they are in deep waters now.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. No he does not. He calmly taps it to point and gets to the other end.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Full on off, Axar strokes it to long off and gets a single. Pant on strike now. Will he go after Bravo straightaway?
Good camaraderie shown! Suresh Raina is seen tying Rishabh Pant's shoe laces.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Length ball on the body, Axar taps it back to the bowler. 2 dots in a row now.
Dwayne Bravo to Axar Patel. Full outside off, Axar swings his bat at it but misses. Dot ball.
Imran Tahir to Axar Patel. Flighted on off, Axar milks it to long on and gets a run.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Floated on off, Rishabh glances it to mid-wicket and gets a run.
Imran Tahir to Axar Patel. Tossed up on middle, Axar tucks it to long on and gets off the mark straightaway with a single.
Axar Patel walks in at number 6, replacing his skipper.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. OUT! LEADING EDGE AND TAKEN! Iyer is gone and Delhi are going downhill. Floated outside off, slightly slower, but Iyer is way too quick in bringing out his whip. That goes against him. A massive leading edge is induced and it goes high in the air. Suresh Raina circles under it, from backward point and takes it calmly. 4 wickets down in quick time. Probably Iyer was playing for the googly.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Pushes this through mid off for a single.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Outside off, Pant looks to cut but misses.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. Full on off, Shreyas once again finds the man at mid-wicket for the third time in the over. Just 6 runs off Bravo's first.
Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant. Length ball around off, Pant glances it down to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. Now follows it up with a single. Smart batting this. Length ball on off, Iyer punches it towards cover for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! Excellent shot. Bravo looks to hit the blockhole but misses. He serves it full outside off, Iyer smacks it through covers for a boundary.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. Full outside off, Iyer defends it straight to the same man again.
Dwayne Bravo to Shreyas Iyer. Bravo starts with a full length delivery on middle and off, Shreyas tucks it straight to Shane Watson at mid-wicket.
Here is Dwayne Bravo.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Outside off, Iyer plays this very late. It goes right between the legs of Dhoni towards third man and the batsmen take a run. 68/3 at the halfway stage.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Around middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for one more.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! The flipper but Pant picks it early. Tossed up on middle, Rishabh gets down and scoops it over the keeper to the fine leg fence.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Pushes this through mid on for a quick run.
Imran Tahir to Rishabh Pant. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
Imran Tahir to Shreyas Iyer. Works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Tahir has come in the moment Pant has walked in. Big moment in the match.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant. Full and outside off, Pant reaches out and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a couple. Another excellent over from Jadeja. Just 5 runs and a wicket off this one. He has had a good outing so far. 2-0-7-1 his figures till now.
Here he comes. Rishabh Pant. What can we expect tonight? Boom or bust?
STRATEGIC BREAK. Three down inside the first 10 overs. Are Chennai bossing this? Or is it too early to say? The pitch is turning square and clearly the Men In Yellow are taking a liking to the track. Harbhajan and Jadeja have combined figures of 4.5-0-27-2.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Munro. OUT! Jadeja gets his first. Excellent start for the left-arm spinner here. Jaddu flights it up on off, Munro looks to break the shackles and tries to slog sweep it over square leg. He does not time it well and it goes to Dwayne Bravo who runs to his right and takes an easy catch. Just the start Chennai would have wanted. Not the start Delhi were hoping for.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on off, Iyer milks it to long off for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Munro. Flighted on off, Munro sweeps it over towards square leg for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Darted full on the pads, Shreyas looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads past Dhoni. They take a leg bye.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Floated on off, Iyer defends it to point. Munro comes down for a single but Iyer sends him back. No trouble though as Munro is safely back.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. FOUR! Up and over! Full and outside off, Colin looks to go over cover and does so beautifully!
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. FOUR! This time the length changes and so does the result. A bit fuller than the previous one, outside off, Munro punches this through the covers and the ball races away!
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Short again, but a quicker one. Cut straight to point.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Shorter in length, cut through the covers for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Full and wide outside off, driven through cover and point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Darted on the stumps, Iyer calmly blocks it. Tight start from Jadeja. Just 3 off his first.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Munro. On the pads, Munro flicks it to square leg for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Munro. Flatter on middle, Munro taps it back to the bowler.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on off, Iyer looks to push it to the off side but it goes off the inner half towards the on side.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shreyas Iyer. Quicker on the pads. It spins away from the right-hander. Iyer looks to defend but it goes off the top edge to the on side.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin Munro. Jadeja starts with a flatter one on off, Munro strokes it to deep mid-wicket off the inner half of his bat for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja into the attack.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for another single. 41/2 in the Powerplay. Only time will tell whether this is a good Powerplay for either side.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Around off, worked through mid-wicket for one.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Shreyas Iyer. Around off, spinning in, worked past short mid-wicket for a single.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer walks out to the middle at number 4, replacing Dhawan.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. OUT! Caught behind! Harbhajan appeals but Gabbar walks! Big wicket again for Chennai. Quicker one, outside off, Dhawan looks to cut but is too close to the ball. Gets a feather behind which goes quickly to Dhoni and he fumbles. But he takes it in the second attempt and Bhajji starts to appeal but sportsman Shikhar walks. He knew he had edged it. So that is two big guns in the Powerplay.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Full and around middle and leg, Munro works it towards mid-wicket for a quick single.
Deepak Chahar to Colin Munro. Short ball on off, Munro pulls it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Deepak Chahar to Colin Munro. Length ball coming into the southpaw. It is on the leg side, Munro looks to flick but misses. The umpire does not signal as wide as it took a feather off the thigh pad. Munro though is not happy.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Length ball outside off, Dhawan strokes it to deep cover and gets a single.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Good length ball on middle and leg, Dhawan comes down the track and looks to defend it but the ball bounces higher than he expected. It hits him high on the bat and goes over the stumps to the keeper on a bounce.
Deepak Chahar to Colin Munro. On off, this one comes in with the angle, Munro tucks it to the on side and gets a single.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Slower delivery full on off, Dhawan drives it beautifully wide of sweeper cover and gets a single.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Outside off, punched off the back foot.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. TOP EDGE, SAFE! Full and around middle, CM looks to play the reverse sweep but gets a top edge. The extra bounce does him in and he gets more height than distance. Luckily for him, it lobs over Dwayne Bravo and lands wide of him at short third man. Two runs taken.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Nicely looped up outside off, Colin looks to play this through the off side but misses.
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. FOUR! That is a bad ball. Short and outside off, Munro uses the width and cuts it through the covers for a boundary!
Harbhajan Singh to Colin Munro. Around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Harbhajan Singh to Shikhar Dhawan. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
Spin time. Harbhajan Singh into the attack.
Deepak Chahar to Colin Munro. Slower delivery on a length. It is extremely well disguised. Ingram looks to run it down to third man but gets beaten by the lack of pace.
Deepak Chahar to Colin Munro. FOUR! This is what he has been sent to do. A length ball, around off, Munro comes down the track and bashes it down the ground, past the bowler through mid on.
Deepak Chahar to Colin Munro. A length ball outside off, Munro slashes hard but misses.
Interesting. Colin Munro has been promoted to number 3.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. OUT! Excellent review from Dhoni and Chahar. Good length ball outside off, Shaw looks to pull it but misses. The ball hits him on the thigh of his back foot. Chahar goes up in appeal. The umpire though is unmoved. Deepak though is sure he has got his man. Meanwhile, the ball goes towards third man and the batsmen take a single. Chahar now has a word with Dhoni and they take it upstairs. Umpire Ravi cunningly waits for the fielding side to take the review and does not signal a leg bye. Replays roll in and first Ultra Edge shows that there was no inside edge. Then the Ball Tracker confirms it was hitting top of middle. The umpire reverses his decision and Shaw has to walk back. Early strike for Chahar and Chennai. This is the fourth time in as many games that Deepak has got rid of Prithvi, making him his bunny.
REVIEW TIME! Chennai reckon that Shaw is out LBW. Chahar looks confident and Dhoni has decided to take the review. Looks high, does it? Nothing on the Ultra Edge, so no inside edge. And Hawk Eye shows... three reds!
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. On off, this time Dhawan taps it wide of point and gets a single.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Length ball outside off Dhawan looks to cut but gets a bottom edge over the stumps towards the keeper which goes on the bounce.
Shardul Thakur to Shikhar Dhawan. Interesting stance. Keeps his left leg well outside leg stump, then comes back to normal batting stance. Gets a length ball around middle, which Gabbar taps it towards point and scampers through for a single. 13 from that over. Not the comeback Thakur was looking for.
Shardul Thakur to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! A short ball, around middle, Dhawan just helps it through square leg. Fine leg starts to run to his right but eventually comes second best.
Shardul Thakur to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR MORE! Excellent timing! Boy, this is looking a good pitch already. Full again, around off, Dhawan just pushes it straight back. He need not do anything more! Because the outfield does the rest as the ball races down the ground.
Shardul Thakur to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! Nice way to get going. Overpitched, around off, Dhawan just drives this straight back, past the non-striker, down the ground.
Shardul Thakur to Shikhar Dhawan. Comes down the track and has a wild slash but misses.
Shardul Thakur to Shikhar Dhawan. Full and around off, Dhawan pushes it towards mid off, sets off for a single but is sent back.
Shardul Thakur to bowl from the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. FOUR! This time Shaw gets the reward for hitting the ball sweetly. Good length delivery on off, Shaw gets on his back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. 7 runs off the first over. Solid start for Delhi.
Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan is off the mark. Not in the most convincing way though. Length ball outside off, Dhawan looks to stroke it to point but gets an inside edge which goes over the stump to the on side and they run across.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. First run of the evening. Length ball outside off, Shaw looks to slap it off the back foot. He gets an inside edge and they take a single as the fielder at point is far.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Another well-timed shot but straight to the fielder once again. Full on off, Shaw gets on his front foot and drives it beautifully but straight to cover.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Once again outside off, Shaw hits it wide of cover. Ambati Rayudu dives to his right and stops the ball and the single. Good fielding.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. Good shot but straight to the man at cover. Good length ball on off, Shaw strikes it hard but straight to the man at cover.
Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw. WIDE! Chahar starts with a fuller delivery on the leg side, Shaw looks to flick it but misses. It was just wide of the leg pole. Dhoni takes it on a bounce. Wide signalled by the umpire.
Oops.... a false start. Chahar comes running in but at the time of delivering the ball, his left foot lands awkwardly and he does not release.
We are all set for Qualifier 2 to begin. Out walk the umpires. MS Dhoni is having a word with his troops in a huddle before they take their positions in the field. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw are the openers for Delhi. The new ball is in the hands of Deepak Chahar for Chennai.
Delhi head coach Ricky Ponting is caught down for a chat. On being asked how this season has been different than the previous one he says that the season has been a good one and tells that last season they did have a lot of foreign players missing. Tells that last season they lost a lot of close games and this season they have won those close encounters. On how he manages this young squad, Pointing tells that it is important to spend more time with the young guys. Says they are young but have experience and maturity as they have played 5-6 years in the League. Tells that players like Rishabh Pant have finished off game and it has been a positive.
Unchanged Delhi XI - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer(C), Rishabh Pant(WK), Colin Munro, Axar Patel, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, Ishant Sharma.
Chennai XI - Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(WK/C), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur (in for Murali Vijay), Imran Tahir.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer anyway wanted to bat first and reckons that it's a good toss to lose. On being asked about this pitch, Iyer tells that this pitch looks better than the one they played in the last game and he feels that this is harder in nature than the previous one. Informs that they are unchanged as they want to stick to a strong side and not put pressure on any new player.
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni says that winning tosses are crucial but in the end, your performance decides the game as it depends on how your bowlers bowl and openers set the tone. On the build-up to this match as the dad's army versus the kid's army - Dhoni replies that it doesn't bother them too much as there are positives and negatives about everything and being aged also means you have the experience. He informs that Shardul Thakur has replaced Murali Vijay in the XI.
Toss - MS Dhoni flips the coin, Shreyas Iyer calls it wrongly and CHENNAI WILL FIELD!
Pitch report - Michael Slater is the pitch master for tonight. He informs 161 set the pace two nights ago but today they are using a different deck. The Aussie thinks tonight the teams will need to score more as the pitch is harder and the ball will come onto the bat at least till 12-13 overs. Also, Slater adds that the pitch is less sticky than the last game.
The all-important Qualifier 2 is here! Vizag is all set to host this electric contest between Delhi and Chennai. A young team vs an experienced team! Pressure will be immense and the boys from the capital city have shown signs of cracking when put under the pump. On the other hand, you have Chennai who are led by MS Dhoni, a captain that fancies playing under pressure and has been delivering over the years with great consistency. Talk about momentum and Shreyas Iyer's team has won five out of the last 7 matches compared to only two wins for Chennai during that period. So, it's also momentum versus experience! Pick your side and enjoy the ride as we welcome you for all the coverage.
Right then, it's going to be El Clasico IV this season. Mark the date on your calendar for the grand finale - it's 12th May, Sunday. The action will begin here at 1930 local (1400 GMT). Don't forget to join us. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!
Man of the Match, Faf du Plessis says that they didn't have the best of runs in the last 5-6 games and is happy that they played their best in the bigger game. Admits that they started a bit scratchily and feels their strength is to maximize the partnership even if they go 3-4 overs without runs as they have good finishers down the order. Smiles and says that Watson thanked him for his support and taking the pressure off him earlier. Terms it great to win to get into the final. On the miscommunication in the first over, Faf jokes that he almost ran three and they were very fortunate not to lose a wicket that time.
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni is all smiles and says that it's an usual route (reaching the final via Qualifier 2) and last year was an exception. Feels it's always tacky initially in the matches starting early and the spinners get good support. Adds that they kept picking wickets at the right time and that didn't allow Delhi to get going. Mentions that it was important to get the openers out and feels the timing of the wickets was really crucial. On the use of his spinners, MS replies that credit goes to the trio (Jadeja, Harbhajan, Tahir) and it's up to them on how quickly they read the situations. Feels they had to put in the hard yard and be at their best in these conditions which is really commendable. Thanks his bowling department and reckons it's because of them they are in the final. Reckons in a pressure game, he would have preferred his openers to score more runs and thinks why not stay till the end and get those extra runs under their belt.
Shane Watson is also up for a chat. He says that it was one of those nights and mentions that the faith Chennai show in him is unbelievable. Admits that he took some time to find the rhythm but then everything fell in place. Praises Faf du Plessis for his batting and feels it worked out really well as Faf's knock helped him to settle down. On the age of his side, Watson replies there are huge positives about age and reckons that experienced players know more of what to do in different situations. Adds that Mumbai are a good team and it's going to be a great challenge for them. Hopes to take the momentum forward from this match. On MS Dhoni, Watson replies that MS is an amazing person, so calm and always shows faith in all the people, and the Aussie has learnt a lot from him.
Delhi skipper, Shreyas Iyer, admits that they did not have much runs on the board. Smiles by saying that it was a great season for Delhi. Says that they expected a slower wicket, given that the soil used on the Delhi and Visakhapatnam pitches is the same but then blames the batsmen for not taking the responsibility of staying in the middle. However, does not want to put the blame on the pitches since as a professional, one cannot complain. On his captaincy stint, Shreyas says that he has learnt a lot from seniors like MS Dhoni and continues to learn from his team mates, especially during tough situations. Further stresses that as a captain, you get to be involved in the management as you get involved in team selections and stuff. Now, he understands what Rohit Sharma and others meant when they used to say that captaincy is difficult. Is proud of the way team gelled this season and reckons that he enjoyed a lot.
Dreams shattered for Delhi. They played so well in this edition and reached this stage but failed to cross the second-last hurdle. Their batting didn't come good in this crunch game and only managed a paltry total on the board. In defense, their bowlers initiated well in the first four overs but once Faf du Plessis pressed on the accelerator, their bowlers ran helter-skelter. Keemo Paul was the bowler who was targeted the most. The rest put in a decent effort but that wasn't enough on the night.
A thumping win for Chennai and they have set a date with their arch rivals for the ultimate showdown. Qualifier 2 brought plenty of pressure along with it but given the experience of Chennai, they absorbed everything beautifully and put up a clinical performance. Their bowling was right on the money and then their openers almost put the chase to bed by raising an 81-run stand. Watson and du Plessis scored their respective fifties and showed that there is no substitute for experience.
Ishant Sharma to Dwayne Bravo. Four leg byes! Chennai win by 6 wickets and march into their 8th League final in 10 years! Also, this is their 100th win! A touch short in length and drifting down the leg side, Bravo shuffles across the stumps to flick it across the line but misses. It kisses his thigh pad and screams past the diving keeper for a boundary at fine leg.
Ishant Sharma to Ambati Rayudu. Shortish and on off, Rayudu tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Dwayne Bravo is the new batsman.
Ishant Sharma to MS Dhoni. OUT! What an anti-climax! The crowd is stunned. Dhoni holes out with just two more needed. Ishant gets a wicket by bowling it short. Dhoni pulls it across the line in front of square leg and Paul catches it near the fence. Sharma raises his hands in celebration.
Ishant Sharma to MS Dhoni. A back foot punch from MSD but he finds the extra cover fielder inside the ring.
Ishant Sharma to MS Dhoni. Almost a boundary! Dhoni jumps out of the crease to take it on the full and pumps it over the bowler's head. Munro rushes across to his left from long on to make the stop. Two runs saved.
Ishant Sharma to MS Dhoni. Beaten! Ishant lands it on a good length outside off, going straight on after landing, Dhoni pushes inside the line and misses.
Ishant Sharma to bowl what could be the last over for Qualifier 2.
Keemo Paul to Ambati Rayudu. Tries to tap and run by pushing it towards point but Dhoni sends Rayudu back. 9 from the over, another four needed.
Keemo Paul to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Another four needed for a win! Short in length and wide outside off, Rayudu latches onto it and whacks it through point for a crackling boundary.
Keemo Paul to Ambati Rayudu. Slower short ball on off, at 109.4 kph, Rayudu is early into his pull shot and takes a blow on his body.
Keemo Paul to Ambati Rayudu. The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper.
Keemo Paul to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Eased away! Not for the first time Paul has erred in his line this evening. Goes down the leg side and it's easily flicked down to fine leg for a boundary.
Keemo Paul to MS Dhoni. Angling down the leg side, Dhoni tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to square leg and they cross for a leg bye.
Keemo Paul is back on. 41 in 2 overs from him so far...
Trent Boult to Ambati Rayudu. Bowls it full and on middle, Rayudu gets behind the line and blocks it back. 8 from the over, 13 needed more off 3 overs.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. Digs in a short ball on middle, Dhoni leans back to get on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg for one.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. Straighter in line, it's flicked with fine timing through square leg for a couple of runs.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Ziva likes that shot and she is seen clapping for Daddy Dhoni. Short in length and sliding down the leg side, Dhoni turns inside the crease and helps it on its way to fine leg for a boundary.
Trent Boult to MS Dhoni. On a full length and wide outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it but fails to middle his shot. It takes the bottom edge and rolls near the surface.
Trent Boult to Ambati Rayudu. Back of a length delivery outside off, angling away, Rayudu hangs on the back foot and punches it to sweeper cover. They cross for just a single but the crowd is going mad. Reason - MS Dhoni is on strike now.
Strategic break. 21 needed off 24 balls. Mere formality left looking at the runs needed but funny things have happened in cricket. Having said that, MS Dhoni has walked in and more often than not, you will bank on him to finish the job. Trent Boult to bowl after the break...
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. OUT! Dragged it on! Outside off, Raina goes back to punch but is too close to the ball. The ball comes in, takes the inside edge and hits the stumps.
Axar Patel to Ambati Rayudu. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Axar Patel to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Inside out! Full and outside off, Rayudu comes down the track and lofts it over cover for a boundary!
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. Comes down the track and has a wild heave but is gone for all money. Luckily for him, the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the leg stump towards fine leg. Two runs taken.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. Full and outside off, Raina looks to play the slog but misses.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Full on middle, pushed down to long on for another single.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. Full and outside off, swept to mid-wicket for one more.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. Full and outside off, driven back to the bowler.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. Outside off, pushed straight to point.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Short and outside off, punched away for a run.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Axar Patel to Ambati Rayudu. Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Ambati Rayudu. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. Full and around off, pushed through mid on for one.
Axar Patel to Ambati Rayudu. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Suresh Raina. Full and around middle, knocked down to long on for a single.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Knocks it calmly down to long off for a single.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. Gets on the back foot and punches it to covers.
Amit Mishra to Ambati Rayudu. Almost a return catch. A googly going down the leg side, Rayudu tries to flick but it takes the leading edge. The ball balloons in the air but falls safely at covers.
Ambati Rayudu arrives in the middle.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. OUT! Watson is dismissed! But just like his opening partner, he has also done his job. The required run rate is just over 5 and Chennai only have to bat sensibly from here. Nothing fancy needed. A loopy delivery, landing full on middle, Watson tries to play the lofted shot over mid off by stepping down the track but it spins away a bit to take the outside half of his blade. It loops in the air towards wide long off where Boult jumps a bit to complete the catch over his head.
Amit Mishra to Suresh Raina. Floated and full outside off, Raina gets forward and drives it through mid off for a run.
Mishy is back.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. SIX! Fifty up for Watson and also, he is the first man in 2019 to score 1000 T20 runs. What a player! What a big match player to be more apt! A slower delivery, landing full and outside off at 100 kph, Watson goes hard at it, doesn't middle his shot and it flies more from the top half of his blade. The long off fielder was interested for a while but he can only watch it sail over his head. 25 from the over, Watson has nailed Paul here.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. Wide! Keemo under pressure. Slips a length ball down the leg side, Watson tries flicking but misses.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. SIX! Watson has murdered this delivery. 100 comes up for Chennai and the Aussie is on fire. A slow off spinner, in the slot for the batsman, Watson fetches it from outside off and plunders it over wide long on for a maximum.
Keemo Paul to Suresh Raina. A controlled pull shot by Raina. He stands back inside the crease to a short ball outside off and turns it down to long on for one. Easy going, 53 needed more off 50 balls.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Fine leg comes up. Mid-wicket drops back.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. FOUR! Paul is getting too predictable with his slower ones. The length is short, Watson picks it very early, waits on the back foot like a hawk and then boom... Thwacked over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. SIX! Watson has sent one more packing into the stands! A short delivery on middle and leg, sitting up nicely for the batsman, Watson rides the bounce and dismisses it over backward square leg. 59 needed off 53 balls.
Keemo Paul is back on.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Lands it on a length on the middle stump line, Watson remains on the back foot and just opens the face of his bat at the last moment to push it towards deep backward point. A single to close the over, a wicket and 2 runs off it.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. A yorker on middle at 141.5 kph, Watson does well to dig it out towards mid-wicket.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Shortish and on off, Watson taps it down to short third man.
Trent Boult to Suresh Raina. Off the mark straightaway. Full in length and angling down the leg side, Raina flicks it behind square leg for a run. Raina and Boult share a smile.
Suresh Raina is the new batsman.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. OUT! Boult returns and gets rid of du Plessis. But the South African has already done the damage with his outstanding knock. A short of a length delivery on middle, Faf shapes up for the pull shot and connects well also. But his shot lacks the desired elevation and Keemo Paul at deep mid-wicket takes a good low catch by going down across to his right. 67 needed off 58 balls and Delhi can only make a comeback by picking a few more wickets in quick time now.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Back of a length delivery on off, du Plessis punches it off his back foot to covers.
Trent Boult is back on.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. Goes on the back foot and punches a shortish ball to point. 65 runs in the last 6 over for Chennai, best possible start when you are chasing a tricky target of 148.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. SIX! This one has disappeared! Watto power! Fuller delivery, fired on leg, Watson kneels and smokes it behind square leg for a maximum. Goes deep into the crowd, Chennai are cruising, 67 needed off 61 balls.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. The line is too straight and Watson paddles it fine down the leg side for a couple.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. 12th League fifty for Faf du Plessis and it has come in a big game! Quicker delivery on middle, Faf knocks it down to long on for a run. His knock has made sure that Chennai are ahead in this match.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. Flatter and on off, defended off the back foot to point.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Axar Patel is back on.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Flatter and full on middle, worked to deep mid-wicket for a run. Du Plessis wanted the second run but Watson wasn't interested. 8 from this over, Chennai running away with this one.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. Too full in length and outside off, it's driven aerially through extra cover and Boult does well in the deep to stop it after coming from long off.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. That is how a sweep is played. Faf swats it through mid-wicket for a single.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. TOP EDGE, SAFE! Does not seem to be Delhi's night. Full and around off, Watson gets down to play the slog sweep but gets a massive top edge. Prithvi Shaw runs back from short mid-wicket, Colin Munro comes running in from long on and dives forward but does not quite get there! A run taken.
Wickets in hand in pressure chases is so vital. A look at the win rates for chasing sides with number of wickets lost - 0 - 81 percent (13/16), 1 - 71 percent (15/21), 2 - 45 percent (5/11), 3-plus - 22 percent (2/9).
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. FOUR! Paddled away! Full and angling down the leg side, Shane kneels down and thumps his sweep shot fine down the leg side for a boundary.
Keemo Paul to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Munro's elbow indeed was in contact with the ropes. A good effort but in vain. Back of a length delivery shaping back into the batsman and staying low. Du Plessis stays back to chop it down but it kisses the bottom edge and runs behind. Pant tries to stop it with a dive to his right but ends up parrying it past short third man. Munro gives the chase, tries to pull it back with a slide but as mentioned earlier, his elbow was touching the ropes. 16 from the over.
Has Colin Munro saved a boundary here? The umpires are not sure and have taken it upstairs... Replays seem to show that Munro's elbow has touched the ropes while pulling the ball back into play.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. That's more like it. This one is on and around off, some movement too, Watson keeps it out safely on the off side, the ball rolls in the gap and they take a single.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. FOUR! First boundary from the Aussie's bat. Keemo once again loses his radar. Serves a juicy full toss on the pads and Watson has no qualms in deflecting it down to fine leg for a boundary.
Keemo Paul to Faf du Plessis. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. Five wides! Paul loses his line completely. Serves a full ball way down the leg side, Watson leaves it alone and Pant stands no chance of stopping it even with a dive. Bonus runs for Chennai. 50 comes up!
Keemo Paul to Shane Watson. Full and on middle, angling in, Watson leans forward and across before playing it on the leg side. Finds mid-wicket.
Keemo Paul to bowl now.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! This one races away to the fence in a flash! Loopy and full on off, it's actually too full and Faf does well to sweep it firmly through square leg for a boundary. 100 needed off 78 balls.
Amit Mishra to Shane Watson. Tossed up ball outside off, Watson presses forward and drives it back past the bowler to long off for one run again.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Jumps out of the crease to a full ball, allows the ball to spin away just a bit and then pushes it down to long off for one.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Full and flighted outside off, a googly, du Plessis drives it off his front foot to covers.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Amit Mishra to Faf du Plessis. Flighted and full ball on leg, played on the leg side off the front foot.
Strategic break. Perfect start for Chennai in this run chase. They began nervously but Faf du Plessis has decided to press on the accelerator. He is going great guns and Delhi are under pressure at the moment. They need wickets and that too in a heap to stay in the hunt. In comes their ace spinner, Amit Mishra into the attack.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis takes a good length ball from around off and eases it through mid-wicket for a run. 15 from the over, 26 in the last two and Chennai have managed to score 42/0 in the Powerplay, one more than Delhi and two wickets less.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Full in length on middle and leg, Watson closes the face of his bat and clips it in front of square leg for one.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. A single this time as du Plessis works a shortish length ball in the gap on the leg side.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries. It appears Ishant got one over too many in this appeal. Serves it short and on middle, du Plessis sits back inside the crease and muscles his pull shot over mid-wicket. 23 runs off the last 9 balls.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Boundaries are coming thick and fast. Suddenly, Chennai are on the charge, mainly due to Faf du Plessis. Width on offer outside off, the length is short and Faf slaps it through the line. It's aerial but wide of the diving short third man fielder for a boundary.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Faf is motoring now! Receives a short delivery around leg and he eases his pull shot behind square leg. Fine timing and placement, and the fielder in the deep has no chance of cutting it off.
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. Short again, cut through the line but straight to point. 11 from the over!
Axar Patel to Shane Watson. Flatter and shorter on off, Watson goes back to cut but gets an inside edge.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. Tries working it across the line but closes the face of his bat early. It goes off the leading edge to mid off and the batsmen cross.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. SIX! Goodness me, what a shot! We saw Rutherford playing a similar shot against Harbhajan earlier. A flatter delivery, in the line of the stumps, du Plessis moves back inside the crease and rockets it powerfully over extra cover. It keeps on going, going and flies over the fence. Du Plessis made that shot look so easy.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Finds the gap this time! Axar tries his luck again with a shorter one outside off, du Plessis rocks back and slaps it through the gap between point and cover-point for a boundary.
Axar Patel to Faf du Plessis. The spinner begins with a short delivery outside off, du Plessis makes room to punch it through the line but it takes the outside edge and goes on one bounce to backward point.
Axar Patel is into the attack now.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Shortish and on off, Faf walks down the track for a big shot but it takes inner half of his bat and rolls towards mid on. Another 3-run over from Ishant, lovely bowling from the tall Delhi man. 132 needed off 96 balls.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Watson plays it down with soft hands in front of square leg and jogs across to the other end.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Ishant continues to serve slower ones, on a length and outside off, Watson sticks back to play late at it but finds backward point.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Slower length ball on off, du Plessis turns his wrists across the line and helps it in front of square leg for one.
Mid-wicket drops back.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Ishant foxes the South African with a slower one. It's on a length around off, Faf dances down the track and tries to swing his bat at it. But that happens way too early and the ball arrives late. Pant fumbles behind the stumps but no run conceded.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Jumps out of the crease to a length ball and hits it off the toe end of his bat to mid off.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. The line from Boult is straight on this occasion, du Plessis clips it off his pads to deep mid-wicket and takes the 9th run from this over, a good one for Chennai.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Nicely played. Shortish and around off, leaving the right-hander, Watson camps back and plays it down late to third man for a run.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Stays back footed to a good length ball and punches it towards mid off. The fielder is at the edge of the ring and an easy single is taken.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Powerful shot from Faf! Boult is on the shorter side again, on middle, du Plessis gets on top of the bounce and pulls it disdainfully to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Fractionally short in length on off, angling away, Watson sits on the back foot and opens his bat to guide it through point for one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Dealing in quick singles are Chennai. Shortish delivery on off, du Plessis hops back to make room and forces it towards mid off for a brisk run. Once again the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Another quick run pinched. The calling has improved a lot after that comical incident in the first over. Faf gets behind the line of the delivery and bunts it down to mid off. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. 3 runs from the over, a good one from Sharma.
Ishant Sharma to Shane Watson. Slower one again, on a length on off and angling in, Watson taps it down towards cover-point and steals a run.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Slower one this time, on a length and around off, du Plessis quietly plays it down with soft hands towards square leg and scampers across to the other end. Good calling and response from Watson.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Plenty of width on offer outside off, it's short and wide and du Plessis flat-bats it down the ground. Iyer at mid off goes down on one knee and collects the ball on one bounce.
Ishant Sharma to Faf du Plessis. Back of a length delivery outside off, du Plessis punches it square of the wicket on the off side where the fielder dives across to his left from cover-point to make the stop.
Ishant Sharma to operate from the other end with a slip in place.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Oohhh... excellent delivery. Boult serves it on a length and in the line of the stumps. Watson tries working it on the leg side but fails to connect properly. It probably takes the inside edge and then hits him on the pads. The bowler turns to appeal but nothing doing as far as the umpire is concerned. Eventful first over by the Kiwi.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. A touch short in length and around off, Watson tries to run it down but finds short third man.
Trent Boult to Shane Watson. Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. RUN OUT, MISSED! Run out again, missed again! Run out one more time, misses again! What is happening? Outside off, du Plessis pushes this towards point and sets off for a single. Like an obedient friend, Watto responds. Then, suddenly, Faf changes his mind. Now, Watson has to do a U-Turn. There comes the run out chance as Faf changes his mind again. Now, we have a running race between the two for the non-striker's end. Axar Patel comes in from point and has a shy at the bowler's end. Misses. Strike one. Colin Munro backs it up from mid on but for some reason, does not go for the stumps at the bowler's end! He could have run over and taken the bails off. That can be counted as chance 2. Now, the throw is a wild one, to the keeper and poor Rishabh Pant has to dive full stretch to his left and misses it totally. Eventually, the single is completed.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Huge shout for an lbw! Not given. Going down, maybe. Boult comes up with a good length delivery around leg, moving back in a bit. Du Plessis fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. They appeal but to no avail and the replays show that it pitched outside leg as well. No thought given to the usage of the DRS.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis. Boult is right on the money first ball. Serves it full and on middle, du Plessis strides forward with a full ball and defends it back.
Time for the run chase! Spirited Delhi boys charge out to the field. Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis to open for Chennai, as usual. 148 needed off 120 legal balls. This is that kind of a target which often turns out to be ticklish. Trent Boult has the new ball in his hand as he gets ready to bowl the first over. A slip in place. Here we go...