Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, Qualifier 1 Match Summary

Right then, Chennai have booked their place in the final but Delhi are not out yet. They will unlock the benefits of finishing in the top two and will get a second bite at the cherry in Qualifier 2. But before that, we have the Eliminator coming up on Monday between Bangalore and Kolkata. The action will begin at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Man of the Match is Ruturaj Gaikwad! He says that they have to go through just normal routines. Mentions that every game is a new challenge and one has to start fresh every time. Informs that the Powerplay was a crucial stage and the wicket was holding up a bit. Tells that it was very easy to bat with Robin Uthappa. Adds that Dhoni encourages him a lot and he is looking to learn as much as possible from him.

MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai, starts by talking about his own innings. Says that it was a crucial knock, he felt it would be tough and wanted the batsmen to bat deep. Adds that as far as his knock is concerned, it was all about 'Watch the ball, hit the ball'. MS admits that he has not done enough this season so it was good to get that out of the system. On the move to promote Shardul Thakur, Dhoni replies that they are one side that hasn't done that often. Says that they even have Chahar who can also contribute with the bat. Dhoni further tells that a proper batsman will think twice before hitting the big shots and batters like Thakur or Chahar can give you 1-2 boundaries and that helps the cause. Regarding Robin Uthappa, Dhoni says that he likes to bat top of the order and Moeen has also done well there, so they left it to God who will bat there in this match. On Gaikwad, MS replies that the chat with him is simple. Tells that he has improved and he is someone who wants to bat 20 overs. Mentions that he is very eager to learn and somebody who plays authentic shots. Shares that it was tough to bounce back from the last season, the emotions were very high and those last 3-4 games in 2020, they wanted to do well. Feels that's the reason they have come back strongly and Dhoni thanks the support staff also.

Robin Uthappa comes up for a chat. Says that he is feeling very grateful and is happy to contribute. Informs that it's his son's fourth birthday and this knock is for him. Mentions that they knew they needed a good start and he just played on merit. Informs that there is nothing to worry about his injury, probably it's just a niggle and should be fine by the final. Tells that he just tries to focus on his routines and is very grateful that he could contribute tonight. Adds that this franchise is the most secure group and after his time under Gambhir at Kolkata, this is the most comfortable he has felt mentally.

Rishabh Pant, the captain of Delhi, says that it's very disappointing and it's hard to describe how they are feeling and all they can do is rectify their mistakes. Adds that the bowlers were bowling well throughout, especially Tom Curran, and that is why he was given the responsibility in the final over. Mentions that the score on the board was decent but the Chennai batters got off to a flier and that made the difference. Adds that they will learn from their mistakes and hopefully go on to win the next match and play in the final.

Earlier in the match, it was a strong batting show by Delhi to put 172 on the board. Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant stroked fifties while the partnership between Pant and Shimron Hetmyer injected the momentum into Delhi's innings. It was a good finish from Delhi but they didn't get the desired result in the final over. Maybe, that cost them in the end. Stay tuned for the presentation...

A couple of wickets fell in the 14th over which included the wicket of Robin Uthappa and that made the chase very interesting. A few wickets tumbled more, giving a sniff to Delhi and they started to claw their way back into the game. The departure of another set batsman in Ruturaj Gaikwad threw the game wide open but MS Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and took the chase by the scruff of its neck. 'Thala' as he is fondly called settled all the nerves in the camp with his calm presence and took Chennai home.

What a sensational chase! A target of 173 against a well-oiled bowling unit of Delhi was never going to be easy. That became even tougher after losing the in-form Faf du Plessis cheaply. But this game was all about turning the clock back. Before Dhoni's cracking cameo, it was Robin Uthappa who set the stage on fire. Replacing Faf at the crease, he went berserk from the word go. Robin timed his shots beautifully and played some extraordinary shots. His presence allowed Ruturaj Gaikwad to settle down at the other end and together they put Chennai in a commanding position. Their 110-run alliance deflated Delhi's morale but credit to them for fighting till the end.

VINTAGE DHONI! Cometh the hour, cometh the Legend! 24 needed off 11 balls when MS arrived at the crease, Delhi were smelling blood after removing Ruturaj Gaikwad but Dhoni's whirlwind 6-ball 18 has taken Chennai into the final of the Indian T20 League 2021 - this is the ninth time they will be contesting for the coveted trophy.

FOUR! MS Dhoni finishes things off in style. You have heard that before, haven't you? Curran bowls a shortish ball, outside off, MS Dhoni waits deep in the crease and clubs it past deep mid-wicket to seal the deal. CHENNAI WIN BY 4 WICKETS!

4 needed from 3... what can we expect - a six over long on?

WIDE! Pressure, pressure, pressure! Curran goes full, but way too outside off. Maybe he wants to stay away from MS Dhoni's arc. He will have to reload again though.

FOUR! Streaky but Chennai will take it with both hands. Length ball, outside off. MS Dhoni throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball goes off the inside edge, past the stumps, to fine leg for a boundary. 5 needed off 3.

FOUR! Wonderful from MS Dhoni! Short of a length, outside off. MS Dhoni jumps on his toes and whacks it over extra cover to collect a boundary. 9 needed off 4!

Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. But it will be Dhoni on strike. 13 needed off 5 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT! The game still hangs in the balance. Tom Curran bowls a short-of-a-length delivery, on middle. Moeen Ali pulls it straight down the throat of the deep square leg fielder. Kagiso Rabada is stationed over there and he does not make any mistake. Tom Curran is pumped up.

Tom Curran has been given the responsibility to bowl the final over.

Slower ball again, outside off, at 123 kph. MS Dhoni has a swing across the line but misses. 13 needed from the final over.

SIX! Vintage Dhoni! What a cracking shot, the crowd has gone bonkers! Short in length and around off, MS hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over wide long on for a maximum.

Lovely slower ball, outside off, at 123.4 kph. MS Dhoni goes for the pull shot but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Full and outside off. Moeen Ali steers it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Well played by Moeen! A low full toss outside off, Moeen latches onto it with an angled bat and lofts it clinically over point for a boundary.

MS Dhoni comes ahead of Ravindra Jadeja. Maybe, to maintain the left-right combination.

OUT! TAKEN! Avesh Khan gets rid of the big fish and what a time to pick up a wicket. He bowls a low full toss outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad swings his bat hard. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. Axar Patel runs to his left and dives at full pace to take a fantastic catch. Ruturaj Gaikwad walks off the field after an impressive knock.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It's going to be Avesh Khan (3-0-36-0).

Short of a length, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad swings across the line. The ball goes off the outside edge to third man for a single. 11 from the over, 24 needed off 12 balls. Anrich Nortje has bowled out now.

FOUR! Class, that's the word! Anrich Nortje sees Ruturaj Gaikwad charging down the track and bowls a full toss, outside off, in search of the wide yorker. Ruturaj Gaikwad slices it over backward point for a boundary. 600 runs in the season for Gaikwad!

In the air, but safe! Short ball, on middle. Moeen Ali mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. Axar Patel runs ahead to take the catch but doesn't attack much and the ball lands just short of him. A single.

Well executed yorker from Anrich Nortje, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad digs it out towards long on for a run.

Short of a length, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to slog it across the line but gets beaten.