Delhi Capitals didn’t wake up to an ideal Sunday morning at all as they once again were forced into isolation after one of their net bowlers tested Covid-19 positive.
The Capitals’ on-field experience in the evening at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai wasn’t any better either as they were handed a 91-run thumping by Chennai Super Kings.
Opener Devon Conway hammered the Capitals bowlers to all corners, powering Chennai to 208 for 6 after they were put in to bat. Thereafter, with Maheesh Theekshana (1/29) trapping David Warner lbw and Moeen Ali (3/13) cleaning up captain Rishabh Pant, the Capitals’ suffered a collapse and were eventually bowled out for a paltry 117 in 17.4 overs.
This massive win helped Chennai (8 points) move up to eighth in the standings. For the Capitals (10 points), with off-field issues making matters tougher for them in the current edition, they remain fifth and need to win their remaining three matches in order to make the play-offs.
Conway and his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad (41) stitched another century-plus stand in just over 10 overs. The New Zealander also forged a brisk 59-run stand with Shivam Dube (32). These two partnerships helped Chennai gain upper hand in the duel.
And thereafter, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s cameo (21 not out off 8 balls) ensured Chennai reached a total that was truly intimidating for Delhi.
Chennai went into this game without Ravindra Jadeja (rib injury), who was replaced by Dwayne Bravo. But it never seemed that they were missing one of their key players as the others performed their tasks well.
Going back to Conway, the left-hander played some magnificent strokes having class written all over them. How Conway used his feet to deal with Kuldeep Yadav, Delhi’s most successful bowler in this IPL, was praiseworthy.
Using his feet to perfection, Conway danced down the track against Kuldeep to launch him over the leg-side confidently as well as driving him over extra cover with ridiculous ease.
Kuldeep, wicketless in this game, was clobbered for 34 off his first two overs.
