DC opener Shikhar Dhawan, who struck his maiden IPL ton, was adjudged the Man of the Match (Image Courtesy: Sportzpics)
Sharjah: Further victory in the 2020 Indian Premier League for the Delhi Capitals. Shikhar Dhawan scored his maiden Twenty20 century while Axar Patel pounded three sixes as DC defeated Chennai Super kings to lead the Indian Premier League by five wickets.
In their chase of the top spot in the 13th season of the IPL, the Delhi franchise were persistent and further boosted their spot with a win against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday. It wasn't DC 's commanding results, because at Sharjah Stadium they had to struggle away to churn out a five-wicket victory. Chasing a target of 180, with DC needing 16 runs off it, the match went to the last over.
On 101, Shikhar Dhawan was batting and Axar Patel had just reached the crease. There were two options in front of Captain Dhoni at the crucial point-Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja. Due to his experience in the death overs, Bravo was the fair pick. But Dhoni went with Jadeja, in a surprising move. When Jadeja conceded 22 runs from the last over, the strategy backfired.
Outlining his decision to hand the last one over to Jadeja, after the match, Dhoni told host broadcaster Star Sports in an interview, "Bravo was not ready." He went out, and he didn't return.
Jaddu and Karn were the choices. With Jaddu, I went. Shikhar's wicket was significant, but quite a number of times we dropped him. He will keep the strike rate up if he keeps batting. Also, in the second half, the wicket played better, but we can't take the credit away from Shikhar.'
The Delhi Capitals required 21 runs in the last two overs, but Sam Curran bowled beautifully and gave away only four runs. A final over cameo by Axar, however, which saw him whacking three sixes, helped Delhi Capitals chase the goal with a ball to spare Dhawan in the penultimate over, had also survived a scare on 99.
He was given out by the on-field umpire, but he went straight for a review and the replay proved there was no edge.
Batting first, Chennai Super Kings posted 179/4 in 20 overs against Delhi Capitals in Saturday's second IPL 2020 match. While also registering his first IPL century, Shikhar Dhawan led the chase for Delhi.
In addition, Shikhar Dhawan said that he plays with a positive attitude and is never afraid to get out. In match 34 of IPL 2020, the Delhi batsman also credited his enhanced fitness for the brilliant knock, in the post match conference.