Match 50 IPL: CSK Vs DD – Gambhir saves Delhi the blushes

CSK 112/9(20) | DD 113/4(18.4)
DD won by 6 wkts. Man of the Match: Gautam Gambhir

What was expected to be an easy win at the half-way stage ended up being a scramble for the Delhi Daredevils at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chasing 113, Delhi were rocked early and it took a determined knock from skipper Gautam Gambhir to thwart the Chennai surge to register a six-wicket victory on Thursday.

Delhi with seven wins and a game to go are now virtually through to the last four, albeit some surprises in the last round of league games over the weekend. Chennai, on the other hand, have to win against the Kings XI Punjab to make it to the knockout stage.

Virender Sehwag (four), David Warner (zero) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (one) perished early in the chase after the Delhi bowlers came up with an inspired performance to restrict the Super Kings to a paltry 112-9.

After the early blows, Gambhir showed composure as he ensured there were no more hiccups in the chase to take Delhi home with more than an over to spare. The Delhi skipper made an unbeaten 57 off 56 balls. Mithun Manhas brought in all his domestic experience into play to give Gambhir company with a 25 not out.

After MS Dhoni elected to bat, Delhi ripped through the Chennai batting and never loosened their grip. After Dirk Nannes and Ashish Nehra made early inroads, spinners kept the home side in check with Dilshan, Sehwag and Amit Mishra giving away only 50 runs between them from 12 overs.

The Delhi pacers started the onslaught with some short-pitch stuff bringing the downfall of the Chennai top-order. Matthew Hayden (one), who was dropped in the first over, skied one as Paul Collingwood took a super catch running back. Dhoni (zero) promoted himself up the order but lasted only two balls. Murali Vijay (23) was the next to go as he miscued a Nehra bouncer. Nehra and Nannes reduced Chennai to 23-3 within four overs.

Suresh Raina (15) and Mike Hussey (15) attempted to stem the rot before the Delhi spinners got into the act. Dilshan, making a return to the Delhi team, snared Raina and then Sehwag remove Hussey and Albie Morkel (one.)

There was no steady partnership as the Chennai innings kept sliding with the Daredevils in no mood to let go of their stranglehold. Chennai were unable to find a single boundary for 63 balls before Doug Bollinger cleared the ropes in the 18th over.

S Badrinaths 30 helped Chennai cross the 100-run mark, which seemed a tough ask at one stage.