CSK Secure Playoff Berth with Impressive Win over DC in IPL 2023
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have effectively sealed their playoff berth with a comfortable 27-run win over the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 55 of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) at Chepauk on Wednesday, May 10. After MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat, the home side managed to put 167 on the board even though no batter managed to score more than 25 runs. The Super Kings’ spinners then turned in a superb display in the middle overs before Matheesha Pathirana closed out the game at the death.
CSK’s batting performance was far from perfect, with none of their batters managing to score big. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway looked nervy out in the middle, with Gaikwad perishing just after the powerplay and Conway never looking settled. Ajinkya Rahane rotated strike well against the spinners in conditions that weren’t easy to bat in, making 21 runs before being sent back by a stunning return catch by Lalit Yadav. Ambati Rayudu struck a four and a six in his knock, both off Lalit’s final over, but played a curious sweep off Khaleel Ahmed while trying to target the shorter boundary.
Moeen Ali struggled during his 12-ball stay at the crease, managing just seven runs before being outfoxed by Kuldeep Yadav. Shivam Dube’s long levers lit up Chepauk once again as he hammered three sixes in his team-high score of 25, although he was soon dismissed by Mitchell Marsh. Ravindra Jadeja was the Player of the Match for his all-round show. The southpaw made 21 runs towards the end of the CSK innings, although he could’ve stepped on the pedal a little earlier.
MS Dhoni’s hitting ability at the death was crucial once again. He hit two sixes and a four off Khaleel Ahmed’s final over to take CSK to an above-par total, even though he was really struggling to run between the wickets. The skipper’s captaincy was astute, as always.
CSK’s spinners applied the choke in the middle overs, with Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Maheesh Theekshana conceding just 57 runs in their 12 overs while taking two wickets. Deepak Chahar grabbed the all-important wickets of the DC openers despite not being fully fit, while Pathirana was unlucky to concede a few boundaries at the death but still managed to pick up three wickets for the second game running and was quite difficult to handle.
CSK’s performance was far from perfect, but they did enough to secure their playoff berth and will be hoping to build on this win in their remaining matches.
Poll: Who was CSK’s best performer against DC?
– Ravindra Jadeja
– MS Dhoni
– Matheesha Pathirana
– Other
