So CSK are on their way to another VIVO IPL Final after a comprehensive win over DC tonight. In winning the toss and bowling first, MS Dhoni’s side took regular wickets and prevented the young Capitals side from gathering any form of momentum throughout their 20 overs. Led by the dominant DJ Bravo (2-19 off four) and a host of other strong performances with the ball, only Rishabh Pant managed to pass 30 for DC, who eked out 147/9.
Despite the low total they got off to a strong start, restricting CSK openers Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson to just 16/0 off the first four overs. But within the blink of an eye the experienced pair got going, and once they did the match was all but gone. Both would finish with 50 - for Watson a huge confidence boost for the final following a run of poor scores. As predicted by many, CSK’s vast experience shone through over a young side who can hold their head up high. Ricky Ponting’s players have entertained us all throughout VIVO IPL 2019, and are a side to watch going forward. But tonight is all about CSK, who move a step closer to back-to-back titles. Thanks for joining us again tonight, we’ll see you on Sunday for the final!
Dhoni: "It's the usual route, last year was the exception. The kind of response from the boys today was brilliant. The way we batted to get 140-plus runs was very nice. I think with the 7.30 start, the wicket may be slightly different. It feels like the groundsmen feel obliged to water it more, and it starts out tacky. The spinners got some turn, and we kept getting wickets at the right time. The whole batting line-up is strong, they have a lot of left-handers, the ground is small, we had a left-arm spinner they could have negated. The crucial part was to keep getting wickets. The credit needs to go to the bowlers. The captain only asks this is what I need. Then it's up to them to figure out how to bowl, and they have to put in the hard yards. Thanks to the bowling department for where we are this season. I would have preferred it if the openers finished it off. Once they got the required rate below 6 an over, there was no reason to play big shots and get out. They did the hard yards."
Iyer: "We had a disappointing start, losing two wickets in the Powerplay, and it was hard to recover from that. They have amazing spinners. But we've had a great season. None of the batsmen took the initiative to take the team through and there wasn't a partnership buidling. Disappointing for us but a good learning. It's something to think about [the Delhi pitch], we didn't win too many home games, but we can't complain about pitches. We've been practising a lot on slow wickets. As professionals we can't give [excuses]. I think we've learned a lot, looking at seniors like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma leading their teams. It's a proud moment for me, standing with them at the toss. They talk to me, share their experiences, and that's great for me. I've heard Rohit and many of them talk about how difficult it is to be captain, and yeah, it's not an easy job to do, but I'm happy to be the captain. Really proud of the boys. Loving the way we've gelled as a family. The coaches and support staff have been amazing. A lot more to come next season. We've found the base, now is the time to grow."
Chennai Super Kings win by six wickets
End of Over 19 - 7 runs, 1 wicket CSK 151/4
Dwayne Bravo
0* (1b)
Ambati Rayudu*
20* (20b 3x4)
Four! It's all over - CSK are on their way to the final!
18.6 I Sharma to DJ Bravo, 4 leg byes.
18.5 I Sharma to A Rayudu, one run, 136.04 km/h short length just outside off stump.
Wicket! Ishant digs one in short and Dhoni absolutely leathers a pull shot that looked for all money like it was game over, but it's gone straight to Keemo Paul in the deep!
18.4 I Sharma to MS Dhoni, WICKET!!! MS Dhoni is out c Keemo Paul b Ishant Sharma, 138.45 km/h short length just outside off stump.
18.3 I Sharma to MS Dhoni, no run, 151.35 km/h good length just outside off stump.
18.2 I Sharma to MS Dhoni, two runs, 143.67 km/h full toss on leg stump.
18.1 I Sharma to MS Dhoni, no run, 139.56 km/h good length just outside off stump.
End of Over 18 - 9 runs CSK 144/3
Ambati Rayudu
19* (19b 3x4)
MS Dhoni*
7* (5b 1x4)
17.6 K Paul to A Rayudu, no run, 124.44 km/h good length just outside off stump.
Four! Short and wide, and Rayudu crunches Paul through backward point for an assertive boundary
17.5 K Paul to A Rayudu, FOUR, 122.04 km/h short length outside off stump.
17.4 K Paul to A Rayudu, no run, 109.43 km/h short length just outside off stump.
17.3 K Paul to A Rayudu, no run, 131.64 km/h short length just outside off stump.
Four! Keemo Paul strays onto the pads again and Rayudu tickles it fine, beating the man at fine leg
17.2 K Paul to A Rayudu, FOUR, 129.25 km/h short length going down leg.
17.1 K Paul to MS Dhoni, 1 leg bye.
End of Over 17 - 8 runs CSK 135/3
Ambati Rayudu
11* (14b 1x4)
MS Dhoni*
7* (4b 1x4)
16.6 T Boult to A Rayudu, no run, 140.42 km/h full length on middle stump.
16.5 T Boult to MS Dhoni, one run, 139.43 km/h short length just outside off stump.
16.4 T Boult to MS Dhoni, two runs, 142.18 km/h full length on leg stump.
Four! Off the mark with a boundary, and the crowd unsurprisingly goes wild. It's short down the leg side and Dhoni just helps it on its way, beating the man at fine leg
16.3 T Boult to MS Dhoni, FOUR, 128.02 km/h short length going down leg.
16.2 T Boult to MS Dhoni, no run, 132.23 km/h full length outside off stump.
16.1 T Boult to A Rayudu, one run, 133.63 km/h good length outside off stump.
End of Over 16 - 8 runs, 1 wicket CSK 127/3
Ambati Rayudu*
10* (12b 1x4)
Wicket! Raina chops on! It was coming, and this time he tries to cut too close to the body, chopping back onto his leg stump
15.6 A Patel to S Raina, WICKET!!! S Raina is out b Axar Patel, 92.66 km/h good length outside off stump.
15.5 A Patel to A Rayudu, one run, 92.64 km/h short length going down leg.
Four! That'll feel good for Rayudu. He shimmies down the track and plays with the spin, lofting over extra cover. Lovely cricket shot
15.4 A Patel to A Rayudu, FOUR, 92.16 km/h good length just outside off stump.
15.3 A Patel to S Raina, one run, 100.58 km/h good length outside off stump.
Close! Raina looks to go big, dancing down the track, but chops down through fine leg
15.2 A Patel to S Raina, two runs, 93.98 km/h short length just outside off stump.
15.1 A Patel to S Raina, no run, 96.51 km/h good length just outside off stump.
Kemo Paul has conceded 41 in two overs. In a game where the entire team has scored 147 in 20 overs. Overseas players ought to play a big role in big games. Not tonight for #DC#IPL#CSKvDC
So CSK are on their way to another VIVO IPL Final after a comprehensive win over DC tonight. In winning the toss and bowling first, MS Dhoni’s side took regular wickets and prevented the young Capitals side from gathering any form of momentum throughout their 20 overs. Led by the dominant DJ Bravo (2-19 off four) and a host of other strong performances with the ball, only Rishabh Pant managed to pass 30 for DC, who eked out 147/9.
Despite the low total they got off to a strong start, restricting CSK openers Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson to just 16/0 off the first four overs. But within the blink of an eye the experienced pair got going, and once they did the match was all but gone. Both would finish with 50 - for Watson a huge confidence boost for the final following a run of poor scores. As predicted by many, CSK’s vast experience shone through over a young side who can hold their head up high. Ricky Ponting’s players have entertained us all throughout VIVO IPL 2019, and are a side to watch going forward. But tonight is all about CSK, who move a step closer to back-to-back titles. Thanks for joining us again tonight, we’ll see you on Sunday for the final!
MoM: Faf du Plessis
Dhoni: "It's the usual route, last year was the exception. The kind of response from the boys today was brilliant. The way we batted to get 140-plus runs was very nice. I think with the 7.30 start, the wicket may be slightly different. It feels like the groundsmen feel obliged to water it more, and it starts out tacky. The spinners got some turn, and we kept getting wickets at the right time. The whole batting line-up is strong, they have a lot of left-handers, the ground is small, we had a left-arm spinner they could have negated. The crucial part was to keep getting wickets. The credit needs to go to the bowlers. The captain only asks this is what I need. Then it's up to them to figure out how to bowl, and they have to put in the hard yards. Thanks to the bowling department for where we are this season. I would have preferred it if the openers finished it off. Once they got the required rate below 6 an over, there was no reason to play big shots and get out. They did the hard yards."
Iyer: "We had a disappointing start, losing two wickets in the Powerplay, and it was hard to recover from that. They have amazing spinners. But we've had a great season. None of the batsmen took the initiative to take the team through and there wasn't a partnership buidling. Disappointing for us but a good learning. It's something to think about [the Delhi pitch], we didn't win too many home games, but we can't complain about pitches. We've been practising a lot on slow wickets. As professionals we can't give [excuses]. I think we've learned a lot, looking at seniors like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma leading their teams. It's a proud moment for me, standing with them at the toss. They talk to me, share their experiences, and that's great for me. I've heard Rohit and many of them talk about how difficult it is to be captain, and yeah, it's not an easy job to do, but I'm happy to be the captain. Really proud of the boys. Loving the way we've gelled as a family. The coaches and support staff have been amazing. A lot more to come next season. We've found the base, now is the time to grow."
Chennai Super Kings win by six wickets
Four! It's all over - CSK are on their way to the final!
Wicket! Ishant digs one in short and Dhoni absolutely leathers a pull shot that looked for all money like it was game over, but it's gone straight to Keemo Paul in the deep!
Four! Short and wide, and Rayudu crunches Paul through backward point for an assertive boundary
Four! Keemo Paul strays onto the pads again and Rayudu tickles it fine, beating the man at fine leg
Four! Off the mark with a boundary, and the crowd unsurprisingly goes wild. It's short down the leg side and Dhoni just helps it on its way, beating the man at fine leg
Wicket! Raina chops on! It was coming, and this time he tries to cut too close to the body, chopping back onto his leg stump
Four! That'll feel good for Rayudu. He shimmies down the track and plays with the spin, lofting over extra cover. Lovely cricket shot
Close! Raina looks to go big, dancing down the track, but chops down through fine leg