13 May,2011 08:03 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
Wondrous 63 by Chennai skipper Dhoni sends Daredevils packing
A fourth wicket stand of 94 runs between Subramaniam Badrinath (55) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (63 not out) set up Chennai Super Kings' sixth consecutive home win in this Indian Premier League (IPL) season here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium yesterday.
The duo steered Chennai to a strong 176-4 before the hosts' persistent bowling attack restricted Delhi to 158-6, Chennai surging to second spot in the IPL points table courtesy a 18-run win.
Dhoni's authoritative knock ensured Chennai scored 65 runs in their last five overs. Bringing up his fifty in just 28 balls, he started with a top-edge off Ajit Agarkar that flew to the long-on fence, not displaying signs of an ensuing murderous mood, until a sensational straight six off Andrew McDonald, and an effortless strike over cover off Agarkar.
When Irfan Pathan pitched it short at less than 130 KMPH, he was able to get on top of the ball, at will, and manoeuvre the on-side field by picking his spot with a180 degree spin. He showed more audacity while walking across to an Agarkar delivery, picking it up from middle, turning the wrist, and clearing fine-leg. When Varun Aaron's attempted yorker ended up a low full toss, he swatted it straight down the ground. He aptly ended the innings when his blade met Pathan's low full-toss with a trademark helicopter shot for a six over deep square-leg. There was no stopping him this night.
Delhi threatened to make a fist of the target when openers Naman Ojha and David Warner started briskly, but Ashwin's standard miserly spell of turned the game on its head. As hinted by Delhi coach Greg Shipperd, Pathan batted at four, but his unbeaten knock 46 off 34 balls that took 21 balls to find a boundary, proved inadequate in Delhi's pursuit of a steep target.
Pathan-Rao act
Pathan and Venugopal Rao added 43 for the fourth wicket until a game of cat and mouse ensued with Shadab Jakati bowling to Rao. Every time, Rao hinted at stepping down, Jakati dropped it short. This continued for an over until Ashwin, bowling from the other end, cleaned up Rao, and left Delhi with a target of 70 from 29 balls.
Regardless, Rao's cameo of 30 was a bright spot in Delhi's otherwise lacklustre batting performance.
