For the first time in IPL history, CSK failed to make it to the playoffs in the last edition, which was played in the UAE, and ended up finishing seventh.
MS Dhoni implied an extended lockdown and longer quarantine as some of the reasons for CSK’s dismal show last year. However, he credited the team for taking on more responsibility this year and the bench for being in the right frame of mind.
Surprisingly, a good wicket in Delhi: MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni expressed his surprise with how the wicket played on the night. Historically, the surfaces in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium have been on the slower side, favouring spin bowlers. However, the curators dished out a good batting wicket and the lack of dew made it even better.
Electing to bat, SRH managed only 171 for three on a placid surface, with David Warner struggling to a 55-ball 57. CSK won the match with nine balls to spare.
The win was again set up by the CSK openers – Ruturaj Gaikwad (75 off 44 balls) and Faf du Plessis (56 off 38 balls) – who added 129 off just 78 balls for the first wicket. Praising the team’s batting, which was an area of concern for CSK last year, MS Dhoni said:
With five wins from six matches, the MS Dhoni-led CSK have marched to the top of the points table with 10 points. In one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, CSK will lock horns against the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the same venue in Delhi on Saturday.
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