Prithvi’s punch and Shreyas Tactics outfox CSK to bag their 2nd win in the Tournament

 Third Man’ – Review by Kannan

Prithvi’s punch and Shreyas Tactics outfox CSK to bag their 2^nd win in the Tournament

IPL 2020, CSK Vs Delhi , 25^th September, Friday

Venue : Dubai

Toss : CSK won the toss and put Delhi to bat, yet another time they have preferred chasing, probably as they are playing for the first time here.

Match Results: Delhi beat CSK by 44 runs.

In todays episode of Third man, we will see how the game progressed leading to yet another loss for CSK

 

Prithvi power packed punches and Dhawan Supporting act, Delhi puts on 50/0 in 7 Overs

It seems like the Delhi top order learnt a lesson from their previous encounter losing the top order early, Prithvi and Shikar started cautiously in the first 4 overs, punishing the bad balls from the seamers. Prithvi started with a wonderful back foot punch through covers, followed by a cracking cover drive of an out swinger from chahar, both these shots reminiscent of “Sehwag”. The more he batted, the more he looked like Sehwag through his carefree approach and bat swing. Once Chawla was brought into the attack, Prithvi’s eyes lit up and started hitting for consecutive boundaries though the off side targeting the square boundaries. Dhawan joined the party greeting Jaddu with a slog swept six to midwicket, eventually the scoreboard reading 50 in just 7 overs.

 

Spinners let down CSK plans yet again

At 10 overs , 88/1, DD was looking good to target nothing less than 200 on the board – Prithvi Shaw entertained with a 50 of just 35 balls. It was strange to see no change in bowling plan and Chawla and Jadeja was being hit regularly for 4’s and 6’s and still continued to bowl, only the Former Indian skipper will know his plans. Finally, Chawla bowls the right length on this pitch, dismissing Shaw (To a brilliant Stumping by MSD, his reflexes are still the same as it was a decade back) and Dhawan, CSK has brought the game under control at 103/2

Bowlers bounce back – Delhi sets up challenging 176 for CSK

Barring Ravindra Jadeja, who is having a nightmare series with the ball, CSK bowling unit bowled with discipline and control and did not allow Delhi to close the game with a flourish. Pant entertained for a while exhibiting his range of shots through the off side and his customary slog sweeps, well supported by the skipper – But Hazelwood, a worthy addition to the CSK ranks, and Curran gave nothing away in final 4 overs and Delhi dug out would not have been happy with 175 considering the blazing start they had.

 

4 Overs 22 runs, Test Match start for CSK, Is the chase on?

Before we discuss anything about the CSK chase, it is worthwhile to mention the brilliant tactic by the Delhi skipper Shreyas who had CSK completely off guard by employing 4 bowlers in the power play mixing up pace and spin and never allowing CSK batsmen to settle in. 

It was painstaking to watch Vijay and Watson, struggling against the quick bowling from Nortje & Rabada, could not get going against the left arm spinner Axar, who castled his bunny Watson by inviting him to hit him over deep midwicket – getting the better of Watson for the 5^th time in his IPL career. Vijay, who appears to have past his sell by date, was scratching and finally holed out playing an uncharacteristic shot to Nortje, who was clocking at 146 kph on the day.

22 runs in 4 overs, 34/2 in 6 overs, The “lack of intent” was much evident from the openers, CSK badly need a change at the top if they were to come back to winning ways again.

The match was completely gone and the next few overs will only decide the margin of defeat and the tactics to be employed to have minimal impact on the net run rate scenario.

Spinners halts the chase, Rabada,Nortje fiery spell at the death deprives Dhoni show

Amit Mishra, the seasoned campaigner, continues to impress by bowling the right speed and length on this pitch and along with Axar, both the spinners finished at an economy rate of less than 6 per over. The middle order could not shift gears, leaving too many for MSD & co to chase in final 3 overs. Once again, it was Du plussis who offered some resistance with a decent innings with no support from the likes of Kedhar and Jadeja.

78 needed of 25 balls – Dhoni arrives at the 16^th over needing to do the improbable, against 2 of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, and he tried to connect from the word go but the quality of bowling was incredible to take them on  – Shreyas tightening the off side field for Nortje and Rabada to unleash their Yorkers and short-pitched deliveries.

.Rabada was impressive through out the match bagging 3, while Nortje was bowling like the wind scalping 2 and showing his prowess with swing and pace. It was classic exhibition of death bowling in T20 and when Pant dived to take a spectacular catch of him “ Mentor”, officially the match was a “ gonner’ for CSK. 

___________________________________________________