Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals IPL, 2023

A dot to end the game and it is Chennai who come out on top! They win by 27 runs! The last delivery is a slower full ball outside off, it is jammed out to point.

OUT! TIMBER! Matheesha Pathirana gets his revenge! This is just not picked! A slower one, very nicely disguised. Lalit Yadav does not pick it, he is through the shot and it hits the stumps.

FOUR! Three in a row now! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. No chance of stopping that.

FOUR! Just over! This is on the shorter side, Lalit Yadav guides it over point for another boundary.

FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on the body, Lalit Yadav nails the pull through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.

That is a very good shot but only for one! Fuller and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

WIDE! Two wides in a row now! This is again well outside off. Left alone.

WIDE! This is well wide outside off. Left alone.

A dot to end! Outside off, a yorker. Lalit Yadav fails to jam it out.

OUT! Direct hit and Ripal Patel is gone! This is fuller and on middle, this is lofted over the bowler's head. Tushar Deshpande runs back but does not get to it. The batters go for two. Moeen Ali picks the ball up and throws it towards the keeper's end and it hits the stumps. Ripal Patel is short.

Outside off, this is squeezed through point for one.

On off, this is lofted over cover for one.

Outside off, shorter, Ripal Patel slashes but misses.

Shorter and outside off, this is cut through point for two.

FOUR LEG BYES! 48 needed in the last 2. On the pads, Aman Khan looks to flick but misses, it hits the pad and goes past Dhoni and down to the fine leg fence.

OUT! TAKEN! Matheesha Pathirana has another one! This is fuller and on middle, a lovely slower one. Axar Patel looks to go downtown but ends up hitting it high up in the air as he is through the shot early. It goes towards long on. Ajinkya Rahane takes it.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

A shorter one on off, this is pushed through covers for a single.

FOUR! Carved through the off side. A full toss outside off, this is nailed through covers and this one races away to the fence.

WIDE! Well wide outside off. Wided.

That is a top yorker, outside of, Axar Patel fails ot jam it out.

WIDE! Down the leg side this time. Wided.

A dot to end! Shorter and quicker outside off, Ripal Patel looks to cut but misses.

This lands short! Fuller and on off, this is lofted down towards long off. Only one.

SIX! Need a lot more of these. That is a top shot. Maheesh Theekshana goes wide of the stumps, Axar Patel lofts it over the cover fence for a massive six.

Two more! Fuller and on middle, Axar Patel hits it wide of long on for two.

Outside off, Ripal lofts it over cover for one.

DROPPED! That would have hurt! Fuller and on middle, this is hit hard back towards the bowler. Maheesh Theekshana does not take it and it goes behind towards long on for one.

Swing and a miss! A lovely slower one outside off. Ripal Patel is through the stroke. He misses. 71 needed in 24.

Shorter and around off, this is guided towards point for one.

A yorker now, this is jammed out towards cover.

FOUR! Crunched! That is nailed! This is a full toss, Axar Patel slams it through covers and this one races away to the fence. He is probably the last hope for Delhi.

Just the one! Singles won't win it! Around off, this is guided towards point for one.

Outside off, Ripal Patel swings but misses. The task keeps getting tougher and these dots do not help.

Another single to end! Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Flatter and around off, Ripal Patel looks to guide it past first slip but the fielder gets down and stops it.

Axar Patel is off the mark straightaway! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

OUT! TAKEN! Straight to the fielder and that probably should be the game for the hosts! Rilee Rossouw can't believe how he did not hit it out of the ground! That was in the slot. On middle, fuller, Rilee Rossouw looks to go over long on but it goes more off the toe-end. Matheesha Pathirana takes it with ease.

Shortish and on middle, this is hit down towards long off for one.

Dots will only build the pressure! On middle, this is pushed to cover.

Another single to end! On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is slapped wide of long off for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is cut but to cover.

On middle, this one turns back in, Ripal Patel looks to flick but misses, it hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.

Takes one now as he pushes this through covers.

Vicious turn again! This lands around leg and holds its line. Rilee Rossouw looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad.

DRINKS! Chennai get the big wicket of Pandey and now, the game is going to be very tough for Delhi to win. It is not easy for the new batters coming in to playt their strokes and the run rate needed is above 10. Someone will have to play a miracle of an innings. Chennai will know, if they bowl the right lines and lengthsm they should win this.

OUT! LBW! That is as plumb as it gets and Manish Pandey knew that! This is a full length yorker on middle. Manish Pandey walks across and looks to whip it on the leg side but gets his bat down late, it hits the pad and goes towards third man. An appeal and the finger is raised. The stand which was going along nicely has been broken. Manish Pandey was probably the key for Delhi on this wicket. 84 needed in 42. Excellent finish by Matheesha Pathirana as this over began with a biggie.

Bangs it short and on middle, Manish Pandey looks to pull, this goes off the splice and goes towards square leg for no run.

Shorter and on middle, pushes it through covers for one.

Bowls it into the surface, on a length and around off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Matheesha Pathirana is a quick learner, he drags his length back and bowls it on off, it is pushed back to the bowler.

SIX! BANG! That is a masive hit and Delho need a few more of these! This is fuller and on middle, he gets under it and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence. The fuller balls are easier to hit.

Massive turn! Not sure how you play those. This lands around middle and spins away bit. Rilee Rossouw looks to defend but misses to get hit on the pads.

Pulled hard but only for one! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one.

Dealing in singles at the moment and that will only build the pressure. On middle, Rilee plays it with the turn towards cover for one.

Another single as this is worked through square leg. Delhi need to get a move on here.

Pandey steps out but the length is shortened, it is worked to mid-wicket.

On off, Rilee plays it towards point and gets to the other end.

Just the 7 from the over then! Good hand by the fielder! Shorter and outside off, this is slapped towards cover. The fielder dives to his right and keeps it down to one. Saves at least two for his side.

Shorter and outside off, this is played through point for another single.

On off, this is punched down to long off for one.

A single now as this is pushed through covers.

Outside off, Rilee plays it through covers and takes one more.

Two! Shorter and around off, this is pushed through covers for two.

On middle, this is swept through square leg for one.

Another dot! On middle, blocked.

Steps out again, still does not geto the pitch of the ball, Pandey still swings, it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

Well bowled! Sees Manish Pandey come down the track and drags his length back, this lands and spins in. Hits Pandey on his body.

Two dots in a row to begin! On middle, this is yet again played to the mid-wicket fielder.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

DRINKS! Chennai are on top! They got three early wickets but Delhi are fighting back. The wicket is just getting tougher and the two, who have their eye in, need to cash in. An interesting phase awaits. The two need to score quickly and also try and not lose a wicket. Can they do so?

A dot to end! On off, defended.

Two more! Flatter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for two.

Drags his length back and bowls it on off, this is pushed to cover.

FOUR! Nicely played! This was yet again a little too full and it is put away! Outside off, Rilee Rossouw slams it through covers. No chance for the fielder.

Angled into the pads, Manish Pandey works it through square leg for one.

Outside off, this is guided through point for one.

Dot to end! On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

SIX! Over the fence! That will release some pressure. That was right in the slot. Tossed up outside off, a little too full. Manish Pandey lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Rilee takes one this time as he strokes it through covers.

Another dot! On off, this is pushed towards cover.

Massive turn! This is tossed up outside off, it lands and spins away a lot. Rilee Rossouw looks to drive but is beaten.

MS Dhoni straightaway was looking for Moeen Ali after the over ended and it is Moeen Ali who comes on to bowl.

A beauty to end! Flatter and on off, this lands and spins away sharply. Manish Pandey is beaten as he tries to block. Top over form Jadeja.

Pushes this one through and on middle, blocked.

Flatter and on off, kept out.

On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

Goes over the stumps! Turn, bounce, that ball had everything! This lands outside off and spins back in. Rilee Rossouw looks to drive but misses and it goes over the middle pole.

Flatter and on off, this is pushed to cover.

Ravindra Jadeja now comes on!

Tip and run! On off, this is pushed wide of cover for one. Delhi are 47 for 3 after the Powerplay. The run rate is fine but the three wickets is an issue.

Another run as this is worked down to long on.

On off, this is eased down to long off for one. Playing Maheesh Theekshana quite watchfully.

Just past the bowler! Lalit Yadav took something similar in the first innings but Maheesh Theekshana could not react quickly there. On middle, Manish Pandey hits it uppishly to the right of the bowler who dives but can't get to it. A single as it goes down to long on.

Shorter and outside off, Rilee Rossouw chops it towards point for one.

Fuller and on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Shorter and angled into the body, Manish Pandey pulls, it goes uppishly but just wide of mid on and into the fence. This is a massive over for the visitors.

Direct hit and Rilee Rossouw was gone! Length and on off, Rilee Rossouw pushes it straight to cover and takes off. Ajinkya Rahane has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

FOUR! Wonderful timing! Steps out, this is a length ball on off, it is timed down the ground wonderfully towards the long off fence.

Good length and around off, this is guided to point.

SIX! Into the stand! That is a massive hit! Shorter and on middle, it is pulled over the square leg fence. That is some hit.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

A single to end a really good second over by Tushar Deshpande! On off, this is pushed towards mid off for one.

Another dot! Length and on off, Rilee Rossouw pushes it to covers.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

On the stumps, Pandey plays it to cover.

Good length and on off, defended.

Rilee Rossouw walks out to bat!

OUT! RUN OUT! Stop, start, stop, start and it results in a run out! Marsh has to walk back now and this is disaster for Delhi! This is on a length and around off, it is pushed towards cover. Pandey takes off, Marsh then goes for it. However, Pandey sees Ajinkya Rahane get to the ball quickly and turn back. Clever from Rahane who just runs towards the stumps at the bowler's end and takes the bails off.

FOUR! That is a gift and Marsh puts it away! A full toss outside off, this is driven through covers and the ball races away. End of an action-packed over. 12 runs and a wicket from it.

Good length and on off, defended.

Shorter and on the body, this is pulled down to fine leg for one.

Manish Pandey, the impact substitute walks out to bat> he comes in the side in place of Khaleel Ahmed!

OUT! TAKEN! That is a really good catch from Ambati Rayudu and Salt, who was looking dangerous, has to walk back. Deepak Chahar has both the openers now. Smart stuff. Salt was quite comfortable with the deliveries bowled closer to him so this time, Chahar goes wide and shorter outside off. Philip Salt looks to slam it down the ground but it goes off the toe-end. Ambati Rayudu at mid on, runs back and takes it well.

SIX! KABOOM! Over the fence! This is nailed! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled over the mid-wicket fence for a massive hit. Salt is timing it well here.

WIDE! Deepak Chahar gets away with one! Shorter and down the leg side. Salt looks to pull but misses. Dhoni takes it brilliantly.

The physio is out to have a look! Salt is rightly taking some time for himself.

Ouch! That would have hurt! Shorter and on middle, Philip Salt looks to pull but is through the shot and is hit on the body. Straightaway is down on his haunches.

A single to end a really good over for Delhi! On off, this is pushed wide of mid off for one.

SIX! BANG! Take that! Over the fence. 10 from the last two balls and all the pressure that was built has been released! This is short again, Philip Salt steps out and this time he slams it well over the long on fence.

FOUR! Clipped away! That is a gift! A short one on the pads with no fine leg in place. Philip Salt pulls it down to the fine leg fence and that will release a lot of pressure.

Good pace! Really good from Tushar Deshpande! A real-effort ball! Bangs it in short, Philip Salt dances down the track and looks to pull but misses.

Wow! Tushar Deshpande now bowls a peach! This is shortish and around off, Philip Salt looks to pull at first but this one swings away. He then tries to put bat on ball but misses.

On the pads, Mitchell Marsh looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.

Tushar Deshpande to bowl from the other end then.

Clear indication of this being a slow pitch! This is a hit-me ball on any other wicket. Short and outside off but this time it holds in the surface and Mitchell Marsh chops it to covers. An excellent first over by Deepak Chahar!

That is a beauty! How do you play those? Wow! This starts around middle and it is fuller, tails away late. Philip Salt looks to drive but is beaten.

A loud shout but not given! Deepak Chahar loves it and he gets it reviewed. If no bat, that looks dead but hold on... THERE IS BAT! NOT OUT! Chennai lose a review! This is fuller and around leg, shapes away. Philip Salt looks to play it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Delhi will breathe a sigh of relief.

What a shot that is to get off the mark! Excellent field placement though! Fuller and on middle, this is driven down the ground crisply. There is a long on so only one.

Mitchell Marsh walks out to bat!

OUT! TAKEN! David Warner is out of here for a duckl Deepak Chahar gets the opposition skipper in the first over itself. The worst start possible for Delhi in this must-win game. This is shorter and around off, a little bit of extra bounce and comes slow off the surface. Warner looks to cut but is through the shot and hence, it goes uppishly towards cover. Ajinkya Rahane takes it.

Nicely timed but finds the fielder! Shorter and on off, this one comes slow off the surface. Warner pushes it to covers.

A bye to end the innings! Full delivery and outside off. Tushar Deshpande tries to heave it away but misses. The ball goes off the bounce to the keeper and the batters steal a bye. Chennai finish with 167/8!

OUT! CAUGHT! This time Dhoni holes out at long on! Shortish slower delivery on off. Dhoni tries to pump it down the ground but does not get any timing this time. He hits it straight to Warner at long on. Marsh gets his third wicket!

WIDE! A slower length delivery and way outside off. Dhoni lets it go.

Shortish and on off. Chahar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls a good bouncer on off. Chahar tries to hook it but misses. However, Dhoni takes the review for a wide but it is fair delivery.

OUT! CAUGHT! Marsh gets his man this time! A fullish delivery outside off and slower in pace as well. Jadeja gets across to his left and tries to launch it down the ground again. However, he ends up hitting it straight down the throat of Axar Patel at long on. Deepak Chahar walks out to the middle now.

FOUR! Jadeja starts the over with a boundary! A very full delivery and outside off. Jadeja goes deep in his crease and slaps it straight back past the bowler for a boundary.

SIX! Dhoni finishes the over in style! A fullish delivery and outside off. Dhoni gets across to his right and hammers it straight down the ground for a maximum.

Short and outside off. Dhoni slaps it through covers for a couple. Good running.

FOUR! A boundary now and 150 up for Chennai!  Khaleel goes full and across the right-hander again, outside off. Dhoni throws his blade at it and gets a thick outside edge as it flies over the gully region for a boundary.

WIDE! A fullish delivery and way outside off. Dhoni tries to smash it away but misses as the umpire calls it wide.

SIX! Here we go...we have another MS Dhoni six this season! Short and around off. Dhoni waits for it and slaps it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Bowls a perfect yorker on leg. Jadeja fails to flick it away and the ball goes off his pads towards the leg side. A leg bye is taken.

Single to start the over! Short and outside off. Dhoni turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

Tosses it up and on off. Jadeja drills it to long off. Warner there first misfields it but makes sure to stop the ball inside the fence. Two taken.

Turning into leg and shortish in length. Jadeja tucks it to short fine leg.

Touch on the shorter side and on off. Jadeja mistimes his cut shot.

Touch short and on middle. Jadeja works it to deep mid-wicket and runs two. There is check for a run out at the batter's end but Jadeja is safe.

SIX! Jadeja goes big! Tossed up and on leg. Jadeja dances down the ground and launches it over long on for a maximum.

WIDE! Fuller and down the leg side. Jadeja goes for the sweep shot but misses.

Shortish and outside off. Jadeja tries to cut it but misses.

Back of a length, on off. Jadeja punches it to long on for a single. just 4 from the over!

A slower length delivery and outside off. Dhoni cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Short and outside off. Bit wider too and Dhoni leaves it.

Shortish and outside off. Dhoni tries to cut it but misses as the ball bounces a bit low.

MS Dhoni walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Khaleel Ahmed comes into the attack and strikes! This is a length delivery angling across the off stump away from the right-hander. Rayudu shuffles towards his right and tries to slap it in the gap towards the leg side. However, he fails to get his timing right and ends up hitting it straight to long on. Ripal Patel takes a good catch at long on and Chennai are six down now.

Back of a length, on off. Jadeja makes room and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Touch on the shorter side, on off. Jadeja goes back and punches it to long off for a single.

WIDE! Bowls it down the leg side and Jadeja tries to flick it but misses.

Turning into leg and Rayudu tries to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball though loops up in front of short leg and a single is taken.

WIDE! Bowls it full and way outside off. Rayudu leaves it alone.

Bowls it fuller and on leg. Jadeja tucks it to square leg for a single.

On the shorter side, on middle. Rayudu works it to mid-wicket for a single.

On the shorter side, on off. Jadeja punches it to covers and a midfield there allows a single.

Touch short and outside off. Rayudu cuts it to deep point for a single.

Strategic break! Shivam Dube and Ambati Rayudu's partnership brought the much-needed impetus to Chennai's innings but Marsh has got rid of Dube now. A score of 160-170 is a very good one on this track and with five overs to spare, Chennai would be looking to reach around that score. Delhi though have bowled well and two overs of Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial here. He is back into the attack now.

Single to end the over! Serves it on a length, on middle. Rayudu fends it to backward point for a single.

Touch on the shorter side, around off. Jadeja steers it to third man for a single.

Bangs it short and on middle. Rayudu pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Shortish and outside off. Jadeja steers it to third man for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, Shivam Dube holes out in the deep! Short and on off. Dube goes back and pulls it but fails to get power behind his shot. He ends up hitting it straight to Warner at deep mid-wicket and this is a crucial wicket for Delhi. Marsh again turns out to be the partnership-breaker!

WIDE! Goes very full and outside off. Dube leaves it alone.

Short and wide outside off. Dube slaps it to the cover fielder.

WIDE! Shortish and outside off. Dube tries to cut it but misses.

SIX! Oh, Ambati Rayudu goes downtown and makes it 23 in the over! This one is tossed up on off. Rayudu dances down the track and smashes it straight down the ground for a maximum.

Tossed up on middle. Raydud fends it towards the leg side.

FOUR! Now, Rayudu gets a boundary! Lalit Yadav bowls it short and angles it on middle. Rayudu pulls it towards the backward square leg fence for a boundary.

Shortish and around off. Dube cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

SIX! Two in a row! This man is a spin-killer! Yadav bowls it full and on middle. Dube gets in the arc and launches it over long on for a maximum.

SIX! Shivam Dube goes straight and goes big! Tossed up and on off. Dube gets under it and tonks it down the ground for a biggie.

Short and outside off. Dube cuts it to deep point for a single.

Shortish and outside off. Rayudu punches it to deep point for a single.

Short and on middle. Dube pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Goes fuller and on middle. Rayudu drives it to long off for a single.

Back of a length and outside off. Rayudu fends it to backward point.

Shortish and outside off. Rayudu cuts it to deep point for a couple.

Tosses it up on off. Rayudu drives it to long off for a single.

Tossed up on middle and Rayudu fends it off the front foot.

A fuller delivery and around off. Dube drives it to covers for a single.

Flatter and quicker around off. Rayudu dabs it to backward point for a single.

Short and on middle.Rayudu works it to deep square leg for a couple.

Ambati Rayudu is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Oh, Lalit Yadav, you beauty! He has pulled off a stunner here! This one is tossed up on middle and Rahane uses his feet to reach to the ball and drives it right of the bowler. It is bit aerial though but not much. However, Lalit Yadav dives and takes a superb low catch with his right hand. What a catch!

Lovely loopy delivery on off. Rahane fends it off the front foot and takes a single.

Angles it on leg and quicker. Dube tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Quick and flatter on off. Rahane punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Shorter and on middle. Dube punches it to long on for a single.

SIX! Oh, Shivam Dube! Hits the first six of the match! Tossed up on off and angling into the left-hander. Dube stays still and launches it deep into the stands over long on.

Shortish and on middle. Rahane nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Touch shorter and on middle. Rahane tucks it to square leg for a single.

Tossed up on middle and Dube drives it to long on for a single.

Shivam Dube is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kuldeep Yadav strikes now! Tossed up and outside off. Nice loopy delivery and Ali dances down the track to drive it away. However, he gets a thick outside edge and the ball loops up towards backward point where Mitchell Marsh takes an easy catch.

Tossed up on middle and Rahane skips down the track. He tucks it to short fine leg for a single.

Turning into middle and Ali pulls it to square leg for a single.

Shortish and on off. Rahane punches it to covers for a single.

On the shorter side angling into leg. Ali tries to clip it but misses and the ball hits him high on the pads.

Angles it on the pads and Rahane just tucks it to short fine leg for a single.

Bowls it full and on middle. Ali knocks it to long on for a single.

Touch shorter and on middle. Rahane works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Angling into off and Ali drives it to long off for a single.

Touch shorter and on middle. Ali works it towards the leg side but Warner's brilliant fielding makes it a dot ball.

Shortish and quicker on middle. Ali tries to glance it but misses. The ball rolls towards the off side off his pads and a leg bye is taken.

Shortish and on middle. Rahane knocks it to long on for a single.

Tosses it up on middle and leg. Ali tucks it to backward square leg for a single.

A fuller delivery on off. Rahane drives it left of the bowler and he fails to stop it as a single is taken.

Shortish and around off. Rahane punches it to the cover region.

A fuller delivery on middle to start with. Ali tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

A slider angling into leg. Rahane tries to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads and there is an appeal but the umpire says no.

A fuller delivery on middle. Ali flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Touch shorter and on off. The ball turns away and takes the leading edge of Rahane's blade as he looks to work it towards the leg side. A single is taken as the ball rolls towards the point region.

Turning into middle and Ali tucks it through the mid-wicket region for a single.

A flatter and quicker one on off. Ali fends it from his crease.

Moeen Ali walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Axar Patel delivers another blow here! Gets rid of Gaikwad now and Chennai have been rocked early! This one is tossed up on off. Gaikwd goes for a lofted drive and tries to hit it towards the extra cover region. However, he gets the inside half of his blade and the ball goes straight to long off where Aman Khan takes a good catch.

Strategic break! That's the end of the Powerplay and it has been even-stevens so far. The pitch is not easy to bat on and Conway struggled to get going with Warner bringing his spinners into play in the Powerplay itself. Axar eventually got Conway but two Indian right-handers, Gaikwad and Rahane are looking good in the middle. Their role is key on this pitch and let's see how they tackle Kuldeep Yadav in these middle overs.

Back of a length and around off. Gaikwad fends it to backward point for a single.

Gaikwad makes room and Ishant Sharma follows him. Gaikwad clips it to deep mid-wicket with soft hands and takes two.

Goes fuller and on off at 131.5 kph. Gaikwad drives it to the mid off fielder.

FOUR! Good shot this! Ishant bowls it short and on middle. Gaikwad waits for it and pulls it in front of square for a boundary.

On a length, on off. Gaikwad fends it onto the turf.

A fullish delivery on middle. Rahane works it to short fine leg for a single.

Shortish and quicker on middle. Rahane tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Tossed up on off. Rahane gets slightly inside the line of the ball and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.

Quicker and flatter on off. Rahane blocks it.

FOUR! Rahane is underway with a boundary! A fuller delivery on off. Rahane frees his arms and smashes it over mid on for a boundary.

Tossed up on middle. Rahane fends it off the front foot.

Ajinkya Rahane walks out at number 3!

OUT! LBW! Axar Patel strikes in his first delivery and this is a big wicket for Delhi! Patel fires it on middle straightaway and Conway goes for another sweep shot. He misses it and gets hit on the pads directly this time. There is a big appeal from Axar Patel and finally the umpire raises his finger. Delhi have started well here!

A tossed up delivery on off. Conway fends it off the outside half of his blade towards backward point for a single.

Tossed up and around off. Conway tries to sweep it but misses this time. The leg umpire though checks for the stumping as Salt whips the bails off. However, the replays show that Conway's foot is grounded and inside the crease.

FOUR! Nicely played! Tossed up on off. Conway skips down the track and hits it hard down the ground for a boundary. Good use of the feet!

A fuller delivery on middle. Gaikwad turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

Slides this one from 'round the wicket on middle. Conway tries to sweep it but gets a tiny inside edge onto his pads. The ball goes towards the leg side and a single is taken. However, in the meanwhile, Yadav makes a loud appeal but the umpires says no. Delhi take the DRS this time but replays confirm that there is bat involved and it will be a single in the end.

Starts off with a quicker full delivery on off. Conway drives it to covers.

Dot to end the over and it is another good one from Khaleel! Serves this full and on off. Gaikwad drives it straight to the mid off fielder.

Goes fuller and on leg. Conway flicks it to fine leg for a single.

On a length and around off. Gaikwad carefully steers it to third man for a single.

Goes fuller and on middle. Conway fends it to the leg side for a single.

Back of a length, on leg. Conway pulls it to deep backward square leg for a couple.

Beaten! A fullish delivery and outside off. Conway goes for a big drive but misses it. Actually the bowler signals that he heard something but his skipper is not convinced.

FOUR! This time a more confident shot! Short and outside off. Gaikwad cuts it through the point region for a boundary.

FOUR! Oh, another edge and another boundary for Gaikwad! Just short of good length, on off. Gaikwad tries to tuck it towards the leg side but gets an outside edge. The ball this time runs away through the gully region for a boundary.

Back of a length and slower in pace too. Angling on leg and Conway misses his pull shot. The ball goes off his body to the right of the keeper and a single is taken.

WIDE! A fullish delivery and angling down the leg side from 'round the wicket. Conway tries to flick it but misses.

Back of a length, on middle. Gaikwad clips it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Oh, just short of Salt and it runs away towards the fence! On a good length and outside off. Gaikwad tries to defend it but gets an outside edge. The ball goes right of the keeper and he gets a glove on it as the ball falls short and runs away towards the fence.

Goes fuller and around off. Gaikwad drives it to the cover fielder.

WIDE! Back of a length and down the leg side. Gaikwad tries to clip it but misses.

Goes fuller and outside off. Conway skips down the track and pushes it to the point fielder. Good tidy start from Khaleel Ahmed!

Ishant Sharma will start from the other end.

WIDE! On a length and angles it down the leg side. Conway tries to clip it but misses.

Excellent fielding by Warner at mid off! Full delivery on off. Gaikwad drives it right of the mid-off fielder but Warner dives and keeps it to just a single.

On a length and around off. Conway punches it to cover-point and gets off the mark straightaway with a single.

Gaikwad and Chennai are underway! Fullish delivery on off. Gaikwad drives it to mid off and takes a single.

On a length and outside off. Gaikwad drives it to the cover fielder.

Khaleel Ahmed starts off with a shortish delivery angling away from the right-hander. It is around off and Gaikwad dabs it onto the pitch.

We are all set for an exciting clash! The Delhi players are in the middle and they disperse now to take their respective positions. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the openers for Chennai. Khaleel Ahmed to start the proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

David Warner, the skipper of Delhi says that the wicket looks drier but they want to play the same way and they are coming in this game with the right attitude. Mentions that they had to work on their Powerplay batting and bowling and they did that well in the last game. Adds that they need to adjust to the conditions and play well. Informs that Lalit Yadav comes in for Manish Pandey.

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai says that they will bat first. Tells that they have played some games on the same pitch and it might slow down in this game. Mentions that the wicket has been 1000 per cent better in this season and they can’t really complain about the wicket. Tells that they just try to keep simple and try to do the same things again and again. States that important is to take one game at a  time and execute the skills properly and follow the process. Informs that they have one change.

Impact Players for Delhi -  Mukesh Kumar, Manish Pandey, Pravin Dubey, Chetan Sakariya, Abishek Porel.

Delhi (Playing XI) - David Warner (C), Philip Salt (WK), Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, Aman Khan, Ripal Patel (In place of Mukesh Kumar), Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav (In for Manish Pandey), Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed.

Impact Players for Chennai - Matheesha Pathirana, Mitchell Santner, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Akash Singh.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu (In for Matheesha Pathirana), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C) (WK), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.

TOSS - The coin goes up in the air and lands in favour of Chennai. They have elected to BAT first.

Delhi started off the season with five straight losses and looked down and out. However, they have found new energy now and have won four out of their last five games. They seemed to have nailed down their best XI and finally, their big overseas stars are delivering. They would be missing the services of Anrich Nortje as he has gone back to South Africa but they now look like an assured team and would be high on confidence. Can they stun Chennai at Chepauk and make things more interesting? Let’s find out. Toss and team news in a bit.

Chennai are playing at home and would start this game as firm favourites. They dominated their last game against Mumbai and would be hoping that their batting and bowling fire in unison again. The opening pair of Conway-Gaikwad has given them some good brisk starts this season while the likes of Shivam Dube and Rahane have also been pretty aggressive. Their bowling unit also looks sorted with Deepak Chahar back to his full fitness and we can expect another strong performance from MSD and his boys.

Hello and a very warm welcome, folks! The race for the playoffs in this 16th edition of the Indian T20 League is getting interesting with each passing game and we are ready now for another big game as Chennai go up against Delhi in front of the passionate crowd at Chepauk. Chennai are in the second position on the points table and a win here will strengthen their chances of finishing in top 2 on the points table. However, for Delhi, this is another must-win game as a loss in this encounter will put them on the brink of elimination. So, with a lot at stake, let’s hope for a cracking encounter.

... MATCH DAY …

How often has it happened that we reach the business end of a tournament and none of the teams participating have confirmed a playoff spot? The 16th edition of the Indian T20 League is turning out to be historical as it is not only the tightest competition we have witnessed so far but due to the new Impact Player rule it is one of the highest-scoring editions as well. The games have been both entertaining and unpredictable with the pendulum swinging both ways in multiple encounters as we see teams snatch victory from the jaws of defeat or lose their cool in nerve-wracking situations. The biggest factor allowing most teams to still be in contention for the qualification to the next stage is the fact that despite returning to the home and away format, very few sides have been able to use the home advantage to their favour. Keeping this in mind, four-time champions Chennai need to be careful when they host an in-form Delhi side at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium for match number 55 as both teams will be desperate for a crucial win in the context of their campaign. The hosts are currently second on the table with 6 wins and a washed-out game taking them to 13 points in the 11 games they have played. They had not managed to register a win in the three games prior to their last encounter against Mumbai with one point shared with Lucknow in the abandoned fixture but they returned to winning ways in commanding fashion against the five-time champions and look well on course to cement their spot in the top four. They have a remarkably long batting line-up with their openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway making it a habit to get them off to good starts. With the presence of Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni in the batting order, this is a side that will never fall short of reinforcements in a 20-over contest. The only aspect of their team that does not look settled is their pace bowling contingent with Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, and Tushar Deshpande as the current choice with them having deployed Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Akash Singh, Dwaine Pretorius, and Simarjeet Singh in the past. Maheesh Theekshana has been economical but not at his wicket-taking best and they may opt for Mitchell Santner to partner with Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali to fulfil the spin-bowling duties. Delhi looked down and out after losing the first five games of this season but have somehow managed to build some momentum winning four of their last five matches to keep their title hopes alive but are still at the bottom of the table. If they manage to get a third consecutive win and this time against the highly-rated Chennai side, it will go a long way in boosting their confidence as they look forward towards a difficult run-in. The introduction of Ishant Sharma into the side and the bowling form of Mitchell Marsh have made them more competitive in the pace-bowling department but their death bowling has proved to be a concern with Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar not up to the standards required. The lack of wickets from their spin twins Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will also have them scratching their heads but their recent batting performances have made up for any deficiencies. David Warner and Philip Salt are forming a solid partnership in the opening slots and they have decided to strengthen their batting by using all their remaining overseas option up the order with Mitchell Marsh and Rilee Rossouw batting at number 3 and 4 respectively. This is putting a minimal load on their inexperienced middle-order options of Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Yash Dhull, and Ripal Patel. A win in this game gets them right into the crowd of the chasing pack and will be in a good position to push for an elusive playoff spot with momentum on their side. Chennai have three games left to play with two of those scheduled against this Delhi outfit and they will want to establish their superiority early over their northern opponents before they go to the capital to play their last encounter of the group stages. We are well aware that most teams may not have as many fans as MS Dhoni has himself but when Delhi arrive at the Chepauk, they will surely understand the magnitude of the task they have at hand in a sea of yellow. Is there anyone out there backing the underdogs?