‘Kagiso Rabada should’ve bowled the 19th over’ – Gautam Gambhir after DC’s four-wicket loss to CSK in Qualifier 1

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir reckoned that Kagiso Rabada should have bowled the penultimate over during Chennai Super Kings’ run-chase in the Qualifier 1 on Sunday. In the last two overs, with CSK needing 24 runs to win, Khan dismissed the well-set Ruturaj Gaikwad, who eventually got the Player of the Match award for his stupendous 50-ball 70.

But Avesh gave away a four and a six and leaked 11 runs in the 19th over. Gambhir said that instead of Khan, the Delhi Capitals could have used the tried-and-tested Rabada, who didn’t complete his quota of four overs. In the end, the Super Kings chased down the target of 173 with two balls to spare.

Rabada is a world-class bowler, says Gautam Gambhir

“I’ve always believed that the 19th over is the most important over. Although Avesh Khan got rid of Ruturaj Gaikwad, you have to go with your best death bowler and it had to be Rabada, no doubt about it,“ Gambhir was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

“Avesh bowled the 17th, Nortje 18th, Rabada 19th and Tom Curran 20th – that should have been the sequence. Going with Avesh for the 17th and 19th overs wasn’t the right decision. Yes. Rabada isn’t in the best of form, but you’ve got to back him to do the job as he’s playing continuously and he’s a world-class bowler,“ Gambhir added.

The game in Dubai went right down to the last over as CSK needed 13 off six balls. Tom Curran started the over, dismissing his countryman Moeen Ali in the very first ball. But from there on, MS Dhoni, the CSK skipper, took charge. The England pacer leaked three fours and also gave away a wide under pressure.

Prior to the last over, Curran had bowled exceedingly well, having conceded 16 runs off three overs with the wickets of Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu. However, Dhoni stayed unbeaten on a six-ball 18 at a strike rate of 300 and spoiled DC and Curran’s party.

With the win, the Super Kings have sealed their berth in the final on October 15. The Capitals, on the other hand, will play the Qualifier 2 on Wednesday, October 13 in Sharjah.