What can be said about the Chennai Super Kings? One more victory and domination personified by the ‘Men in Yellow’. The hosts rode on Shane Watson and MS Dhoni’s magic to beat Delhi Daredevils in match number 30 of 2018 Indian Premier League. MS Dhoni raked up the performance as CSK went on top of the table after toppling Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Batting first, CSK put a commendable score of 211/4 and in reply, Delhi Daredevils could only manage 198/5. Watson top scored with 78 as MSD hit a 22-ball fifty to propel CSK to 200+ mark. In reply, Delhi Daredevils were jolted when they lost four wickets for 74 runs. The top order failed once again as it was left to Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar to get going.
But the duo could not get them past the line as they stayed bottom and are in danger of being eliminated from this edition of the IPL. DD would have hoped a repeated performance they showed against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Kotla, but it wasn’t to be so.
And, it's all over here in Pune as the @ChennaiIPL beat the #DelhiDaredevils by 13 runs.#CSKvDD #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/LoG8M29SK4
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 30, 2018
Rishabh Pant a genuine star in making
The youngster is a star in the making and a genuine contender for a place as a wicket-keeper in the Indian team in the near future. He has all the qualities required to be a star in the making. Pant crossed the 300+ run-mark this IPL after a blazing 79 off 45 balls. Amid scoring his 2nd fifty of the IPL 2018, he showed a glimpse of his class by scoring runs at will. The youngster has been one of the best performers for DD this season in a season where the team has under performed once again. He shared a fine partnership with Vijay Shankar, who slammed a 28-ball 50. Despite the duo’s effort, DD could not get past the line in the end once Pant got dismissed.
Dhoni lighting up IPL 2018 with style
MS Dhoni is on a different level this season in the IPL. He has notched the highest strike-rate of his IPL career in 2018. Dhoni has a strike-rate of 169.23 in eight innings to show the finisher he is for his side as he is donning the role to perfection.
His 22-ball fifty was the second fastest recorded by him in IPL. Dhoni’s previous best was a 20-ball 50 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2012. Dhoni has 286 runs this season and is the fifth highest run-getter. He has not only led with the bat, but his experience has got the team ticking well.
CSK gambled on experienced stars in the auction and Dhoni has been a prime contributor in getting the side perform consistently. That’s how he is known and even at the age he is in, form and stroke play are the same.
Rayudu continuing the run-scoring form
The former Mumbai Indians player has been a revelation for CSK. Batting atop or in the middle-order, there is nothing to stop Rayudu at the moment. 370 runs in eight innings, the classy batsman is surging ahead with new heights and is showing different class.
The experienced batsman hit a 24-ball 41 run-knock to notch up the performance once again. He had already entertained with innings of 79, 82 and 46 prior to this. The touch he has been in is hard to stop for any attack at the moment. He shared a crucial 79-run stand with Dhoni that made the difference in the end for CSK.
Rayudu has staked a claim already to be in the national set-up with his flamboyant nature.
When keeping Watson quiet isn’t possible?
The combination of Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis put on an opening stand of 102 runs for CSK. It took away the game from Delhi and they could not make a comeback from there on.nFaf made run-a-ball 33 runs as Watson went on to score a massive 78 run knock.
Watson has already struck a century this season (106) and his value is being enjoyed by CSK. The former Rajasthan Royals and RCB all-rounder has not only been of sound guidance for youngsters but also performed exceptionally well as an individual. 282 runs from 8 innings make CSK the winner here as far Watson is concerned.