Picture Credit: Twitter
MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai Super Kings, has credited his teammates for ensuring that the team qualified through to the IPL playoffs for the first-time in two seasons. On May 20, CSK defeated DC at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi by a massive 77-run margin to secure top four spot on the league points table.
In the post-match presentation, MSD was quoted as saying about CSK team management and players, “Credit to the management as well, they always back us. But, the players are most important, without the players we can't do anything.”
For the unversed, the CSK captain won the toss and decided to bat first against DC in Delhi. His decision was vindicated by the openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. They stitched together a huge 141-run partnership in 14.3 overs.
Gaikwad was the first wicket to fall, but not before he scored 79 runs off 50 deliveries with three fours and seven maximums all over the Arun Jaitley Stadium. His fellow opening partner, Conway batted later in the innings and ended up with 87 runs off 52 deliveries. He smashed 11 fours and three sixes, which helped propel the Chennai Super Kings total to 223/3.
In the run chase, DC had a poor start as they lost three wickets inside the first five overs. The captain David Warner kept on holding fort for the side as his fellow teammates got out cheaply one after another at the other end. He finished his innings on 86 runs in 58 deliveries with seven fours and five sixes to add some respectability to the Delhi Capitals score. But still, they finished up with 146/9 total, to let CSK win comfortably by 77 runs.
