IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 67 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) outrightly dominated Delhi Capitals (DC) to win the contest by 77 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, May 20 to virtually cement their place in the Qualifier 1 of the top-tier league.

Courtesy of a scintillating batting performance by Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK posted a humongous first innings total of 223 runs. Though David Warner put up a spirited fight, Delhi eventually succumbed under pressure thereby handing a massive win to the yellow outfit.

Here are the talking points of the DC vs CSK clash-

Gaikwad-Conway take rival bowling unit to cleaners

CSK’s opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway swiftly hit the ground running and added a 141-run stand off mere 87 balls. With hardly any respite, Gaikwad and Conway took to the rival bowling unit to the cleaners by hammering the big runs at ease. While Gaikwad got 79 off 50 balls, Conway maintained his purple patch and scored 87 off 52 balls. Following their dismissals, Ravindra Jadeja (20* off seven balls) and Shivam Dube (22 off nine) played blistering knocks to steer CSK to 223 runs in their 20 overs.

CSK extend domination during chase

During the chase, CSK got the scalp of Impact Player Prithvi Shaw for just five runs in the second over to leave DC reeling. Moreover, the yellow outfit further got the breakthroughs at regular intervals to remain in the driver’s seat and clinch the crucial two points. Deepak Chahar recorded impressive bowling figures as he got a three-wicket haul for mere 22 runs in his four overs. On the other hand, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana got two wickets each in the innings.

David Warner’s blitzkrieg goes in vain

Though Delhi lost wickets at regular intervals, it was David Warner who put his best foot forward and carved out a majestic knock. The explosive southpaw got to his lethal best and hammered 86 runs off mere 58 balls, which featured five sixes and seven fours. Following his dismissal, CSK stamped their authority and clinched the crucial two points.

 Winning captain, MS Dhoni said-

There is no recipe as such. You try to pick the best players and try to give them the best slot. You use them in the manner where they have most chances of succeeding and groom them in the areas where they are not as strong. If you are doing whatever is best for the team, it falls into line. The management has been great, including the support staff. They always keep telling us to not worry and to keep doing what we have been doing. But of course, the players are also important. (On the fast bowlers) When it comes to death bowling, confidence is a very important factor. If you look at Tushar, he has developed that death-overs bowling. How many times you can execute under pressure is the main thing. When you are confident, you execute more often than not. Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes on and I feel the bowlers have taken the responsibility. Pathirana is quite a natural when it comes to bowling at the death so that is one less headache. The way Tushar has come around has been remarkable. (Qualities he looks for in players) You need someone who is always team-first. Those are the kind of characters you look for. From a distance, it is difficult to judge that. We want them (players) to adjust to the environment. Even if they try to come 10%, we are willing to go to 50% and meet them in the middle.

Losing captain, David Warner said-

 Our execution in the middle was good. We lost wickets in clumps, though. When we are on with the bat, like we were in Dharamsala, we were very good. It is about going back to the drawing board, regrouping and coming back stronger next year. You got to adapt, got to have your gameplan. Here you have to hit straight and the way CSK played today, that is how you have to play in these conditions. (On the pitch) It did not turn as much as I thought. Once I got in, I thought I could hit my boundaries. It was about not getting bogged down. If we had a couple of partnerships, we might have gotten closer. (On his performance) Trying to be as consistent as you can at the top of the order. You have to give yourself a chance. Our powerplay was not the best this year and we have to work hard on that. 

Player of the Match, Ruturaj Gaikwad said-

Important game to win, it was a must-win game and it was important game for me as well. Thankful for this wonderful franchise for backing me throughout and hopefully it can continue for many more years. (Plan against spin) The wicket was holding a little bit. It was difficult to hit the fast bowlers. We thought we had a chance against the spinners because the straight boundaries are shorter. After 10-12 overs, with Dube, Mahi bhai and Jaddu to come in, we thought to go for it. He (Conway) had one or two areas where he wanted to improve and he has done really well. I think he has had a great experience and he is one of those guys who is always open to conversation. Love having him around. We talk a lot about what options to take, what not to take. That makes both of us less nervous and more confident.