DC vs CSK in IPL 2021: It’s a special match tonight between student and master as Rishabh Pant’s DC face MSD’s CSK. On this occasion, we look back at a memorable match between these two sides from the past!
In Match No. 50 of IPL 2021 to kick-off the new week, we have the birthday-boy Pant facing his mentor Dhoni. It is also a match between two table-toppers. We can surely expect some fireworks in Dubai tonight!
On this special occasion, let’s revisit a special match from the past between these two sides!
The Prelude
It was the year 2015, and it was Match No. 2 of that season. CSK were opening their campaign at home in Chepauk. While Delhi couldn’t have asked for a more difficult way to start their season than facing CSK at Chennai.
Delhi captain Jean-Paul Duminy had won the toss and elected to bowl first.
CSK lose early wickets
CSK did not get off to a good start as they lost opener Brendon McCullum in the second over, and then Raina followed him as he departed in the fourth over to leave CSK at 38-2.
Faf, Smith recovery
Faf du Plessis then joined Dwayne Smith, and the two added 33 in about 4 overs, before Tahir dismissed Smith.
MSD, Ashwin ensure a good finish
Faf and Jadeja added few runs for a while, but then first Faf was dismissed by Duminy, and then Jadeja left courtesy Amit Mishra. Captain Dhoni then provided late flourish with his 30 off 27 balls.
Ravi Ashwin added a valuable cameo of 12 runs off 8 balls to ensure CSK finished at exactly 150, for the loss of 7 wickets in their 20 overs.
Nathan Coulter-Nile starred with the ball for Delhi with 3 wickets.
Nehra runs through Delhi top-order
Indian legend Ashish Nehra removed both Delhi openers CM Gautam and Mayank Agarwal in the same over. He then got the wicket of young Shreyas Iyer in his next over to reduce Delhi to 39-3.
Morkel, Jadhav steady the ship
Albie Morkel, who was sent in at No. 3, setup a partnership with Kedar Jadhav to stem the early rot. The two add 48 runs but at a run-a-ball speed, before Jadhav was dismissed by Mohit Sharma as he tried to up the ante.
Delhi needed 63 off 41 balls at that stage.
Delhi’s lower middle order collapse
After Jadhav, Delhi kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Yuvraj, skipper Duminy and Coulter-Nile, all fell cheaply at one end.
Also Read:Â Top 5 Bowlers With the Most Wickets in a Season for Their Teams in IPL
Morkel was still keeping Delhi in the hunt at the other end. He was a part of the Chennai franchise for a long time before joining Delhi, so he knew a thing or two about batting in those conditions.
Morkel kept playing his shots but did not get any support right through the end, and it was eventually down to 6 runs needed off the final ball with Dwayne Bravo bowling.
The left-hander played a lofted cover drive but the ball heartbreakingly fell short of the boundary line. Delhi lost the match by just 1 run!
Conclusion
Morkel finished with a valiant 73 not out off just 55 balls. He looked ominous that night, and had he got support from even Delhi batsman, he would have been able to finish the job!
Even though both the sides bowled well on a sluggish pitch, it was Chennai’s batters who were better on the day!
Ashish Nehra got the man of the match award for his outstanding new ball bowling in the early part of Delhi’s innings.
Will we be seeing an innings like Morkel’s again tonight?
