IPL 2024, DC vs CSK: All-round Delhi Capitals stun Super Kings to claim first win of the season

Delhi Capitals defeat Chennai Super Kings

Delhi Capitals got their first points in the Indian Premier, courtesy of some clinical performances, by stunning defending champions Chennai Super Kings in Match 13 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at Visakhapatnam today, Sunday. Responding to DC's 191/5, CSK could only muster 171 for 6 in stipulated 20 overs, missing the target by 21 runs at the ACA-VDCA Stadium..

After Pant decided to bat first, David Warner (52 off 35) and Prithvi Shaw (43 off 27) laid the perfect platform, as Delhi Capitals posted a competitive 191 for 5.

But for Ajinkya Rahane, none of the CSK batters applied themselves on the crease, the derailed chase resulting in the holders' first defeat of the season. MS Dhoni provided some entertainment to the crowd with a 16-ball 37-run cameo which included three maximums and four boundaries. In the end game it was only worth concealing the disappointment of missing out on the chance to grab a hat-trick of wins.

Khaleel, Mukesh dismantle strong CSK batting order

Khaleel Ahmed rolled back the years with a superb display with the new ball to dismiss both the openers. He got rid of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the opening over before ending Rachin Ravindra's misery by removing him for 2 in the third over. Ajinkya Rahane (45) and Daryl Mitchell (34) added 68 off 45 balls to steady the innings but Axar Patel dismissed the latter to bring DC back in the game.

Mukesh Kumar then turned up the heat on CSK batters with a menacing spell (3-0-16-3) to knock the stuffing out of the five-time champions. Mukesh dismissed Rahane and Sameer Rizvi on successive deliveries before removing dangerous Shivam Dube (18) in his next over to end the faint hopes of the Super Kings.

Pant signals his comeback with gritty fifty

Earlier, Rishabh Pant was finally back in his element with the willow after two unsatisfactory performances, following a return from horrific injuries. Pant scored a superb fifty to take DC to a competitive total. The comeback-man compiled a 32-ball 51 which, in the end, proved crucial for the Capitals to reach 191 for 5 in 20 overs.

Pant, who hit three sixes and four boundaries, provided a much-needed late flourish to the Capitals' innings after Matheesha Parhirana applied brakes to the scoring rate with a couple of quick wickets.

A rollercoaster of an innings

Capitals were 24 for no loss after four overs but Warner and Shaw put their foot on the accelerator in the last two overs of the powerplay to put CSK under pressure. The Yellow Army made a comeback through Pathirana, who first took a one-handed blinder to get rid of Warner before castling Mitchell Marsh and Tristan Stubbs in the space of two deliveries. Pant led from the front and despite a slow start accelerated towards the end to score a fifty and help the Capitals post a challenging total.

Pant scored his first fifty in 15 months. In the last two matches he gave glimpses of his brilliance, but failed to convert into a big knock. .

Before Pant made a mark with a fighting fifty, Warner brought up his 110th T20 half-century to equal Chris Gayle’s record of most fifty-plus scores in T20s. Shaw also impressed in his first IPL game this season with a fluent knock.
Mitchell Marsh would be disappointed to finish with a 12-ball 18-run knock but his two maximums were crucial to provide late impetus to the innings.

Pathirana - CSK's go-to man

Pathirana started well, conceding just four runs in the first over, hitting 145-plus with his slingy action. But it was Pathirana the fielder who made an impact to break the dangerous-looking partnership between Warner and Shaw. The Sri Lankan pacer plucked the ball from thin air to complete a stunning one-handed catch at short third man, leaving Warner and DC stunned.

Shaw grabs opportunity with both hands

India discard Prithvi Shaw made most of the chance to cement his position in the side for next few games. Following an average domestic season, Shaw was confined to the dugout during DC's losses in the first two games. Shaw was deprived of his fifty by Jadeja as MS Dhoni took a sharp catch for his 300th dismissal -- the highest by a keeper in T20s. Pathirana then bowled two stunning yorkers to dismiss Marsh Stubbs in a space of three balls to turn the tide in CSK's favour.

Pant, though, thrashed Pathirana, smashing him for six and two fours in the 19th over taking 17 runs in his final over. Three solid knocks on top of the innings powered DC to a defendable total even as Axar and Abhishek Porel couldn't capitalise in the death overs.