VISAKHAPATNAM: Delhi Capitals recorded its first win in three matches with a 20–run win over defending champion Chennai Super Kings in the IPL game here on Sunday. Set to chase 192, CSK managed 171 for 6 with former captain MS Dhoni playing an entertaining cameo of an unbeaten 37 (16b, 4x4, 3x6).
Earlier, comeback man Rishabh pant announced his arrival with a superb fifty after opening duo of David Warner and Prithvi Shaw provided the foundation as Delhi posted a competitive 191 for 5. Opting to bat, Warner and Shaw shared a 93-run opening stand but the highlight of the day was Pant’s 32-ball 51, which gave them the impetus in the end.
Pant, who came into the tournament after recovering from a life-threatening road mishap in December 2022, belted four boundaries and three maximums for his first fifty in 15 months.
The in-form Warner slammed five boundaries and three maximums during his 35-ball 52, his 110th T20 fifty, which equalled Chris Gayle’s record of most fifty-plus scores in T20s.
Playing his first game this season, Shaw, who hasn’t been able to live up to his immense talent, once again reminded everyone of his boundary-hitting skills, smashing two sixes and four boundaries in his 27-ball 43.
However, pacer Matheesha Pathirana produced a sensational catch to dismiss Warner and then returned to strike twice in three balls to bring CSK back into the game.
Mitchell Marsh too blasted two fours and a six in his 12-ball 18 cameo. Warner was particularly harsh on Deepak Chahar in the 5th over, as after a second six, he hit two fours on the off side to accumulate 18 off the over as DC made 42 in 5 overs.
Bowling the last over before powerplay, Mustafizur Rahman too was taken to the cleaners with Shaw hitting three successive fours as DC posted its highest powerplay score of 62-0 of this IPL. Ravindra Jadeja was next welcomed with a six by Shaw before Warner pulled one across deep backward square leg for a boundary as 13 runs came off the over.
Pathirana bowled a good first over, hitting 145-plus consistently with his sling action.
However, Warner smacked Jadeja next over long-on before completing his fifty off 32 balls.
It took the brilliance of Pathirana to send him back as the Sri Lankan plucked the ball from thin air to complete a sensational catch, leaving Warner stunned as Mustafizur earned first blood.
Shaw smashed another six to take DC past the 100-run mark but Jadeja dismissed him next ball.
BRIEF SCORES: Delhi Capitals 191/5 in 20 overs (D Warner 52, R Pant 51, P Shaw 43, M Pathirana 3/31) bt Chennai Super Kings 171/6 in 20 overs (A Rahane 45, M Kumar 3/21)