CSK edge pasts Delhi Daredevils by 13 runs; regains top position at IPL-2018 standings

Pune, May 1: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) notched up a thrilling victory over Delhi Daredevils and regained their place at the top of the VIVO IPL 2018 standings. Notably, CSK defeated the Delhi Daredevils by 13 runs at the MCA International Stadium in Pune on Monday night.

 

After being put in to bat, CSK posted 211-4 riding on the back of half-centuries from opener Shane Watson and captain MS Dhoni. Later in the night, they restricted the visitors to 198-5. CSK had their best start of the season when their openers Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis added 56 runs in the powerplay and extended their association to 102 in 10.5 overs.

The hosts lost three wickets in quick succession when both the openers and Suresh Raina were dismissed in the space of 28 runs and three overs. Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni then consolidated the innings and gave the innings the end-overs impetus by adding 79 runs in 6 overs before the former was dismissed off the penultimate ball of the innings. CSK added 81 in the middle overs and then accelerated towards the end adding 74 in the final five overs.

 

However, the Delhi Daredevils lost Prithvi Shaw very early in the run-chase and slipped to 74-4 in the ninth over. The visitors still managed to put up a fight, courtesy Rishabh Pant, who scored 79 off 45 balls and Vijay Shankar, who remained unbeaten on 54, made from 31 balls.

Despite their individual efforts and their 88 run partnership, DD would eventually finish 14 runs short of what they needed. DD was 59-2 at the end of the powerplay, added 69-2 in the middle overs, and added a further 70 runs in the final overs.

Brief Scores:

Chennai Super Kings 211-4 (Shane Watson 78, Faf du Plessis 33, Ambati Rayudu 41, MS Dhoni 51*) beat

Delhi Daredevils 198-5 (Rishabh Pant 79, Vijay Shankar 54*, KM Asif 2-43) by 13 runs.

Man of the Match:

Shane Watson, for his 40-ball 78.