Match Center

Right then, Chennai have done what we are used to seeing them doing here at Chepauk and have consolidated their second position on the points table. On Thursday, 11th of May, we have Kolkata going up against Rajasthan at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. That game will start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). So, do join us for the build-up of that game. Cheers!

Ravindra Jadeja is the Player of the Match. He says that he wants every wicket in Chennai to be like the wicket in this game. Tells that it feels good as a spinner in wickets like these as one gets a chance to make more impact. Mentions that they know which lengths to hit in Chennai and that is the advantage they have compared to visiting teams. Tells that people chant for Dhoni when he bats at the number 7 and if he bats higher the voice will get louder, so he is happy with how it is going at the moment. Mentions that he is happy as long as the team is winning.

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai says that it turned a lot in the second half and they knew that their spinners use the seam of the ball more. Mentions that they were not sure what is a good score and he wanted the bowlers to bowl their best balls but not go for wickets. States that they can do better with the bat and there were some shots they could have avoided on this pitch. Says that if there is an execution problem that is not an issue but the important thing is to select the right shots. Tells that the good thing is that Moeen Ali and Jaddu got to bat in this game and adds that as they go deeper in the tournament, it is good to have some runs under the belt for every batter. Tells that his job is to score runs in the last few overs and he is practising in the same scenarios, he will be getting in the match.

Time for the Presentation.

Deepak Chahar is down for a chat. He says that it was swinging nicely but the pitch was slow and one cannot bowl fast on these tracks. He adds that he had a chat with Dhoni and mentions that if one bowls slow and swing it, it is difficult to bat. Talks about the decision to bat first after winning the toss and says that they batted first because they thought that the wicket will get slower in the second innings and it was cloudy as well, so the chances of dew were less. States that 160 was a par total but this year, big scores have been chased and they are happy to get a win. Mentions that it becomes difficult when the injuries happen regularly and adds that he is not 100 per cent fit but trying to step up as much as he can.

David Warner, the skipper of Delhi says that they lost three wickets in the Powerplay and they knew the opening combination was crucial. He adds that losing three in the Powerplay was not ideal and felt that they threw their wickets. Tells that the total was a gettable and they just needed a good start and then finish it off. Adds that they did not go hard in the middle overs and informs that there were 50-odd dot balls in their innings and one cannot expect to win matches from thereon. Says that it is not an easy venue to score but you need to find different ways to score runs. States that one can be conservative but one cannot miss out on half-trackers.

A pretty convincing win for the hosts! First, courtesy of a combined batting effort, it got them to a very competitive total on this surface. Then their bowlers rose to the occasion and defended it in style.

For Chennai, Deepak Chahar was outstanding at the start. He got two important wickets which pushed Delhi onto the back foot and then the spinners weaved their magic in the middle overs. The likes of Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja did not let the runs flow and kept building the pressure and Matheesha Pathirana reaped the rewards with some wickets towards the end.

A very convincing win for the hosts and it means that Delhi are on the brink of elimination. On a slow wicket, they were after a total which we felt was above par and the start would be vital for them but it was very poor. They lost three in the Powerplay. Manish Pandey and Rilee Rossouw then steadied the ship but went along at a slow pace. That did not help as the required kept increasing and when they looked to go big, Manish fell. Once he departed, wickets fell quickly and in the end, they fell well short.

A dot to end the game and it is Chennai who come out on top! They win by 27 runs! The last delivery is a slower full ball outside off, it is jammed out to point.

OUT! TIMBER! Matheesha Pathirana gets his revenge! This is just not picked! A slower one, very nicely disguised. Lalit Yadav does not pick it, he is through the shot and it hits the stumps.

FOUR! Three in a row now! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. No chance of stopping that.

FOUR! Just over! This is on the shorter side, Lalit Yadav guides it over point for another boundary.

FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on the body, Lalit Yadav nails the pull through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.

That is a very good shot but only for one! Fuller and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

WIDE! Two wides in a row now! This is again well outside off. Left alone.

WIDE! This is well wide outside off. Left alone.