Kings circle!

Rishabh Pant; (right) MS Dhoni (Pic/PTI)

Chennai Super Kings' old guards, with an uncanny knack of owning the big stage at right moments, will start as favourites against a solid Delhi Capitals line-up led by ‘young pretender' Rishabh Pant in what promises to be an exciting first IPL Qualifier here on Sunday.

Capitals were the best team in the league and their 20-point finish at the group stage was an indication of their consistent performances which didn't dip due to the COVID-19 forced break.

Similarly, CSK are now back in familiar settings of play-off rounds, something that they have done 11 out of 12 times, although losing three matches on the bounce wouldn't have amused their all-powerful skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

DC, on the other hand, were handed a rude jolt by Kona Bharat's last-ball six in their final group league game against Royal Challengers Bangalore. It didn't change their pole position but did enough to shake them.

CSK, over the years, have been in final eight times and won on three occasions which speak volumes of the team's ability to lift their game just when it's required most.

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That's the reason why CSK are not one of those franchises, which unleashes new talent by dozens like other teams. Ruturaj Gaikwad is an exception and he could be called a pure CSK product after more than a decade.

MSD's simple philosophy

Dhoni has a simple cricketing philosophy - rely on tried and tested individuals who are battle-hardened and thus he has always relied on the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo and Faf du Plessis.

These are players who have been there and done that. People who can control phases and win pressure situations which more often than not results in
victories.

Add Josh Hazlewood or Moeen Ali, who are also international regulars in that mix, and the former India captain knows exactly what is the kind of combination that he needs to put on the park.

As much as one speaks about team effort, no one knows more than Dhoni that T20 is perhaps one form of cricket, where individuals win matches. Dhoni knows that even though his batting form (96 runs in 14 games) has deserted him years back (since 2015-16) and an IPL legend like Raina (160 in 12 games) is a pale shadow of his once destructive self, he still has Gaikwad (533 runs) and Du Plessis (546), who have more often than not provided solid starts and the menacing Jadeja (227 runs) providing final flourish.

A chance to reflect: Ponting

Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting felt the defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last league game of the ongoing IPL has given his team a "chance to reflect" ahead of the play-offs.

Having suffered a dramatic seven-wicket loss against RCB here on Friday, Delhi Capitals will look to bounce back with a win to make a direct entry into the final. "It was a disappointing way for the game to end, and for us to lose the way we did, but I am not unhappy about it at all. I actually think, it's a really good thing because it will give the boys a chance to reflect and think about how we can improve for Sunday's game," said Ponting. "It's a short turnaround, so you have to forget about things and start focusing on the next game." He also termed the loss a "step forward".

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