IPL: Chennai Super Kings look to fall back on experience vs Delhi Capitals

Dubai, October 9

Chennai Super Kings’ old guard, with an uncanny knack of owning the big stage at the right moments, will start as favourites against a solid Delhi Capitals line-up led by Rishabh Pant in what promises to be an exciting first IPL Qualifier here tomorrow.

Capitals were the best team in the league and their 20-point finish in the group stage was an indication of their consistent performances which didn’t dip due to the Covid-forced break.

A lot to like about the game, even though we have lost. I think it’s a step forward.If you look at the last game (against Chennai Super Kings), it wasn’t a great performance, the Mumbai game wasn’t a great performance either, but we still managed to win those games. Ricky Ponting, Delhi Capitals Coach

Similarly, CSK are now back in familiar settings of playoff rounds, something they have done 11 out of 12 times they’ve competed in the IPL, although losing three matches in a row wouldn’t have amused their all-powerful skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

DC, on the other hand, were handed a rude jolt by Kona Bharat’s last-ball six in their final group league game against Royal

Challengers Bangalore. It didn’t change their pole position but did enough to shake them.

CSK have been in the final eight times and won on three occasions, which speaks volumes of the team’s ability to lift their game when it’s required the most.

Tried and tested

That’s the reason CSK are not one of those franchises who unleash new talent by the dozen, like other teams. Ruturaj Gaikwad is an exception and he could be called a pure CSK product after more than a decade.

Dhoni has a simple cricketing philosophy — rely on tried and tested individuals who are battle-hardened. Thus, he has always relied on the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo and Faf du Plessis.

These are players who can control phases and win pressure situations which more often than not results in victories. Add Josh Hazlewood or Moeen Ali, who are also international regulars, and Dhoni knows exactly what kind of combination he needs. As much as one speaks about team effort, no one knows more than Dhoni that T20 is perhaps the format in which individuals win matches. Dhoni knows that even though his batting form (96 runs in 14 games) is poor, he still has Gaikwad (533 runs) and du Plessis (546), and menacing Jadeja (227 runs) to trust. — PTI

4 wins Capitals have beaten Super Kings in their last four encounters, but when they last met in a playoff, Super Kings won and knocked Capitals out.

7 matches Of the ten night matches in Dubai this year, seven have been won by sides chasing.

54 sixes Capitals have hit the fewest sixes of all teams, 54. CSK Super Kings are comfortable at the top with 100.

10.84 eco rate Of the 14 bowlers who have bowled at least 60 balls at the death in this IPL, Kagiso Rabada’s 10.84 is the worst economy rate.