IPL 2018, CSK vs DD: 5 reasons why Delhi lost 

Today’s fixture in VIVO IPL saw two teams on the opposite ends of the league table to battle it out in an encounter with two crucial points at stake. Chennai Super Kings were hosting Delhi Daredevils at MCA stadium in Pune.

Put into bat, Chennai got off to a splendid start as the opening duo registered their highest stand this season. Delhi pulled things back before they were looted by Dhoni and Rayudu to help them post 211 in their 20 overs.

Delhi was never in the game much due to a horrendous start in the powerplay overs. The innings saw some boost from Rishabh Pant to give his side a glimmer hope but it was always a huge ask with the lack of support for him from the other end. Eventually, CSK won the match by 13 runs to move to the top of the league table.

Let’s take a look at the reason that propelled a Delhi loss:

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#1 Watson’s assault at the beginning

It was an absolute delight witnessing the mighty Australian smoke runs at his will. Carrying on his stupendous form in this season, Watson smashed Delhi bowlers all over the park as he helped his side register their highest opening stand in this season along with Faf du Plessis.

He blazed his way to an astonishing 40-ball 78. In his innings, he smashed seven gigantic sixes along with four boundaries to lead his side’s attack at the start. It was courtesy this innings that set the platform for the players to follow, come and play their shots from the word go.

#2 The propelling Dhoni-Rayudu Partnership

Chennai for a moment found themselves in a spot of bother after Delhi managed to pull things back. In a span of four overs, they lost three quick wickets which meant a dip in the scoring rate for the home team. But it was temporarily, as the skipper walked onto the crease with a different mindset.

He strung in a crucial partnership with Ambati Rayudu to help their way to post a mammoth total as huge as 211. It was a decisive phase of the match that saw CSK back in the game after a hiccup in the middle overs. The duo smashed 79 runs in less than six overs to lead the requisite resurgence for the home team.

#3 Careless batting from Delhi in the powerplay

Chasing 212 in a must-win game, it was necessary for Delhi to power their way to a rich total in the first six overs. However, the pressure of chasing more than 10 runs in an over got the better of them as they lost both their openers in the powerplay.

In the quest to up the ante of runs, the men from the capital showed some careless approach and threw their wickets to the amount the pressure on the batters to follow. The duo of Prithvi Shaw and Colin Munro succumbed under pressure and didn’t manage to keep up the hopes to provide a flourish at the top of the order.

#4 Miscommunication from the skipper leading to his run-out

One of the most irresponsible decision from Delhi saw their skipper getting run-out at a crucial juncture of the game. Being one of the most reliable batsmen in the side, Shreyas got out in the most terrible fashion after getting involved in a miscommunication with Rishabh Pant.

It was the ultimate delivery of the 7th over when Mumbai-lad pushed it for a single at covers region to call for a single. There was never a run in that case as a bit of hesitation from the non-striker resulted in a suicidal dismissal for the skipper who looked gutted with his decision. It was eventually a huge blow for the home team, losing their highest run-scorer from the previous match.

#5 Lack of support for Rishabh Pant from the other end

It was a huge ask for Delhi Daredevils as they were left with a daunting task at hand. And with wickets crumbling in the middle overs, the situation went from bad to worse. It was a valiant knock from Rishabh Pant that went in vain due to the lack of power attack from the other side.

The southpaw managed a 45-ball 79 to bring back hopes for his side but it was never going to be easy without the attack from both the ends. Even the late resurgence of Vijay Shankar, who stroked Bravo for a good couple of sixes in the end, couldn’t prove to be enough for the visitors to end on a winning note.

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