Delhi Capitals clinched their first win of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with a 20-run triumph over the defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, but not before cricket fans all across the globe witnessed a stunning MS Dhoni cameo. The veteran wicket-keeper batter scored an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls but the whirlwind knock went in vain as CSK had too many to chase. Dhoni, who was named the 'Electric Striker of the Match' had fans buzzing in the stadium, giving a sense as if CSK had won the match.
As for the match, Khaleel Ahmed scripted the narrative in favour of DC by dismissing the opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra for 1 and 2, respectively.
Ajinkya Rahane (45) and Daryl Mitchell (34) tried to get things going for CSK with their 68-run stand. But Axar Patel provided the breakthrough by removing Mitchell. Mukesh Kumar swooped in from the other end to remove Rahane.
Shivam Dube and Sameer Rizvi struggled to add much-needed firepower to CSK's cause. Dhoni turned up and struck 20 runs off Anrich Nortje in the final over. However, DC's well-executed plan kept CSK away from victory.
Earlier in the innings, Prithvi Shaw (43 runs from 27 balls) and David Warner (52 runs from 35 balls) opened for Delhi and formed a 93-run partnership to give the Capitals a fiery start.
CSK star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Shaw in the 11th over at a crucial time when the opener was in red-hot form. Shaw slammed 4 fours and 2 sixes during his time on the crease.
After the first two dismissals, Pant controlled the game. However, other DC batters like Mitchell Marsh (18 runs from 12 balls), and Tristan Stubbs (0 runs from 2 balls) did not last long in front of the Chennai bowling attack.
Matheesha Pathirana was on fire as he picked up crucial wickets to remove Marsh, and Stubbs in the 15th over.
The Sri Lanka pacer's third wicket came after he removed Pant in the 19th over. The DC skipper slammed 4 fours and 3 sixes to take the team past 190-run mark.
With ANI inputs