IPL 2018: MS Dhoni isn't a happy man after CSK's victory over DD

It was a mild escape for the men in yellow as they registered a 13-run win against Delhi to surge it to the top of the league table. In what turned out to be a last over finish, the captain cool wasn’t a happy man as he looked much animated on the field and wasn’t reluctant to express the same during the post-match presentation.

Despite posting 211 on the board, Dhoni would have expected a better show from his bowlers, who conceded huge totals in the tournament so far. The skipper has alluded this problem even before but CSK’s batting might has compensated for their lackluster bowling attack, more often than not.

Death bowling is an issue

In the end, the match could have gone Delhi’s way with Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar smoking them all over the park. However, the men in yellow had themselves to blame to make it such a close affair considering a terrible position that saw the visitors reeling at 74 for 4 in the ninth over. Dhoni seemed a worried man with the games in the business end of the tournament, which are staged to be conducted on small grounds to allow the weaknesses in his bowling attack come to the fore.

“Death bowling hasn’t been good, and if we reach the finals, which will be held in small grounds, the margin for error is very small. We have to keep in mind the eliminators and the finals if we make it. Those would be played on the small grounds.,” Dhoni highlighted in the post-match presentation.

Lungi has been impressive

A captain who doesn’t like to tinker much with his team combinations ran out of options with no choice left but to experiment with new bowlers by dropping Shardul and Tahir for the game against Delhi. He roped in Lungi Ngidi and the young KM Asif, who looked impressive on their debut for Chennai.

“Shardul has not come good. So, we thought a gap of a few games will help him. Lungi coming in and doing good for us was important because we thought we needed pace on this wicket. He has impressed me right from South Africa. If he keeps coming good it will be good for us,” he added.

“Overall, we are a happy side and the mood is good. But it helps if you are winning and learning. Bowlers have to adapt otherwise we will have to look at other options,” Dhoni concluded.

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