IPL 2021, Qualifier 1: DC vs CSK, Stats Review: Dwayne Bravo scripts history, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s feats and other records

MS Dhoni hasn’t run out of gas yet. He certainly hasn’t! Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by four wickets in Qualifier 1, securing a place in the IPL 2021 final. It was indeed a thrilling game as momentum rode in a rollercoaster. Now, what less can you expect from the top two sides of the league stage. DC did well and were in command for the best part of the game. However, a brief but effective cameo from Dhoni meant Rishabh Pant’s men will now gear up for Qualifier 2.

Speaking of how the game unfolded, CSK won the toss in the crucial game and invited DC to bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Delhi-based side got off to a flying start with Prithvi Shaw wreaking havoc in the powerplay overs. While Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer got out on single digits, Shaw continued his onslaught and scored 60 off 34 balls.

While the dashing opener fell prey to Ravindra Jadeja in the 11th over, skipper Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer took over the baton of run-scoring. While the Caribbean star scored a quick-fire 37, Pant recorded an unbeaten fifty. Riding on their efforts, DC posted 172/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing the challenging total, CSK lost in-form opener Faf du Plessis with just three runs on the board. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad joined forces with Robin Uthappa and the duo added 110 runs for the second wicket. However, a sudden fall of quick wickets meant the momentum in back of DC’s favour.

Even, Gaikwad got out in the penultimate over. However, an ‘out-of-form’ MS Dhoni emerged from the dugout and sent fans in nostalgia. He smashed 18 off mere 6 deliveries as CSK crossed the line with two balls to spare.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from the DC vs CSK Qualifier 1 clash in IPL 2021:

9 – Chennai Super Kings qualified for the IPL final for the record ninth time.

60 – Prithvi Shaw scored Delhi Capitals’ first half-century in the UAE leg this season. Overall, he scored 60 off 34 balls.

2 – Shaw’s 60 is the second-highest score for a DC opener in IPL playoffs. In IPL 2020, Shikhar Dhawan scored 78 against Sunrisers Hyderabad during Qualifier 2.

2 – Shikhar Dhawan became the second player after KL Rahul to complete 550 runs in IPL.

23 – Robin Uthappa recorded his first IPL fifty after 23 innings. His previous fifty-plus score in the competition was 67 against Punjab in 2019. He played for Kolkata Knight Riders back then.

24 – Rishabh Pant, ageing 24 years and 6 days, became the youngest captain to register a half-century in IPL playoffs. He went past his teammate Shreyas Iyer (25 years, 340 days).

550 – Dwayne Bravo became the first bowler to take 550 wickets in T20 cricket. He got the milestone in 506 matches.

2 – Bravo also became the joint second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, equaling Amit Mishra’s tally of 166 scalps.

2 – Bravo’s other feat was completing 150 matches in IPL. He became the second West Indies player after Kieron Pollard (178) to get the milestone.

7 – Gaikwad recorded the seventh fifty of his IPL career and fourth this season.

2 –Gaikwad became the second batter after KL Rahul to complete 600 runs in IPL 2021. He was the third to cross the 550-run landmark.

3 – Gaikwad became the third CSK batter to score 600 runs in an IPL season. Michael Hussey and Ambati Rayudu are the other two holding the milestone.

400 – Gaikwad also became the first batter to complete 400 runs in the UAE leg this season.