Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals, Apr 11 Full score card

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! And after a long wait, this gets the Super Kings on-board in this year's IPL. Anshul Kamboj bowls it at 132.8 kph, full and angling away, wide outside off. Ngidi reaches out and throws his hands at it, but only manages a thick outside edge that flies straight into the hands of Gurjapneet who is positioned at a straightish short third. Chepauk is up on its feet and the Men in Yellow are delighted to bits. CSK BEAT DC BY 23 RUNS!

Low full toss, dips outside off. Lungi Ngidi extends his arms wide and hits it uppishly from the toe end towards widish deep cover for a couple of runs.

Misses again! Similar line and length, full and angling outside off. Lungi Ngidi swings to get it over cover, but misses out.

Swing and a miss! At 135.6 kph, this is pushed outside off, on a fuller length. Lungi Ngidi clears the front leg but cannot get bat on ball. Oh no! Kamboj has overstepped and No Ball is called. Free Hit to come next...

Fires it full and on leg, T Natarajan eases it down to long on for a single.

Hits the deck hard, from around the stump, over off. T Natarajan has a loose waft at it and is beaten on the outside edge.

T Natarajan is the last man in for Delhi Capitals.

OUT! TAKEN! Kuldeep bites the dust as well. Full in length and on the middle stump. Kuldeep steps out and tries to go inside out over extra cover but mishits it completely in the air. Brevis, moving swiftly to his right from cover, pouches it safely. CSK are just 1 wicket away from winning.

Last over coming up now, 28 required. It will be bowled by Anshul Kamboj. Also, CSK have been penalised for slow over rate and will have to keep an extra fielder inside the circle.

On a length, on off, Kuldeep pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. End of an excellent spell from Jamie Overton. He finishes with figures of 4-0-18-4. A sure-shot match-winning performance.

Slower ball on a length outside off. Kuldeep shuffles across before working it towards the bowler.

Shortish on middle and leg. Ngidi hops around his crease and drop-kicks it into the square leg region for a single.

DC's last remaining hope is gone now. Looks like the Delhi camp is not happy with something here. Simon Doull mentions on air that just before the wicket ball, Stubbs had asked for a glove change, but the umpires denied his request. Also, Lungi Ngidi comes out to the middle now.

OUT! MISCUED AND GONE! That should be the game for CSK. Wicket number 4 for Overton. He is fired up and understandably so. Cannoned in on a fuller length, around off. Tristan Stubbs tries to muscle it over mid off, but gets the ball sliced instead. Airs it toward mid off where Noor Ahmad backtracks a bit and takes a fine catch with a reverse cup in front of his face. A fighting knock from Stubbs comes to an end. Delhi Capitals are 183/8, needing 30 more runs from 9 balls.

Good review! Jamie Overton executes this one to perfection, serves it full and outside off, but just inside the tramline. Tristan Stubbs throws his bat at it but misses. It is called a wide, but Overton straightaway signals his skipper to take the review. The Ball Tracking shows that some part of the ball is inside the wide guideline. The on-field call is changed.

WIDE! Over the head, down leg. Stubbs tries to pull the slower ball behind, but misses. Wide called anyways.

Full just outside off. Kuldeep shuffles across to flick but misses it completely, taking it on the pads and the ball rolls into the leg side. Overton charges across and fires in an underarm throw at the batting end, but it misses the stumps and Stubbs gets home safely. Leg bye taken.

Jamie Overton to bowl the penultimate over.

FOUR! That's been struck with some venom! Kamboj misses the yorker, sliding it in as a low full toss angling away outside off. Stubbs clears the front leg and hammers it back down the ground, and the long off fielder can only watch helplessly as it beats him to his right.

Very full on middle, zipped in hard. Kuldeep goes for the reverse ramp, seemingly with the back of the bat, and it spoons away towards a very fine deep third for a single. Khaleel gets across in the deep to cut it off.

Nails the yorker at the toes, Stubbs converts into a low full toss and pushes it to long on for a single.

FOUR! A schoolboy error from Noor! CSK just cannot afford this at the moment. Length ball sitting up wide outside off. Stubbs throws himself at it and slices it towards sweeper cover, but Noor fails to account for the spin off the surface. Overruns and it skips past him to the fence behind.

Working well with his angles, is Kamboj. Stubbs switches his stance for a reverse scoop, but scuffs this overpitched ball to deep third and denies the single.

From around the stumps, this is pushed across the batter, almost a yorker outside off. Stubbs fails to get under it and shovels it straight to cover.

Anshul Kamboj (2-0-21-1) is back on.

Low full toss on the off stump. This is driven with a straight bat to Overton at long off. Just a single.

FIFTY FOR STUBBS! An inning of class and controlled aggression from the South African. Until he is there, the Capitals will still believe. Full and straight on middle. Tristan Stubbs chips it down the ground, between long off and long on for a couple of runs. Overton gets across to his right and gets rid of the ball, but seems to have clutched his back a bit. But eventually, he is back on his feet and good to go.

SIX! Into the stands! At pace and short, angling from middle to off. Stubbs clears the front leg, with a stable base and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge six.

FOUR! Stubbs keeping the flame burning for DC! Full and far outside off. Tristan Stubbs picks the off-pace ball and cuts it over backward point for a cracking four. 51 needed off 21 balls.

On a length, around off, at 134.9 kph. Kuldeep gets back and across to pull it toward deep square leg for a single.

Sharp short ball, over middle, Stubbs swivels and mistimes the pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Gurjapneet Singh (3-0-24-1) will bowl out now.

Back of a length and it is stabbed into the leg side for a single.

Hard length, outside off, Kuldeep uses the pace to scythe it behind to deep third for a single.

Into the tail now. Kuldeep Yadav walks out to bat.

OUT! MISTIMED AND GONE! Hosein did make it difficult for himself, but importantly, he held onto that one. Express pace and full on off stump. Nabi clears the front leg and swings hard, but only manages a top edge. That balloons high into the night sky above extra cover. Hosein is stationed inside the ring and calls for it early, with Ruturaj sauntering over from mid off as well. The ball swerves under the lights and Hosein takes it over his head, falling backwards in the process. The Super Kings are firmly ahead now as Overton has his third wicket of the night. Delhi Capitals are 154/7, needing 59 more from 26 balls.

Short again from Overton, Stubbs hacks it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Into the surface, on a hard length, over off. Stubbs hops on the toes and taps it to backward point.

Beaten by lack of pace! Back of a length, at 128 kph, wide outside off. Stubbs tries to cut it through point, but misses.

FOUR! Fine way to start your IPL career! Looped up, full and just outside off. Auqib Nabi gets a good stride out and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK​​​​​​! Just when this partnership was gathering steam, Noor struck at a crucial moment for CSK and got onboard in this IPL. The Delhi Capitals still require 64 runs from 31 balls, but they have only Stubbs as a pure batter now, with one end exposed. The Super Kings look in control as Auqib Nabi makes his way out to the middle at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! Noor Ahmad has the last laugh, and this is also his first wicket of the season. He floats up a wrong 'un, full and keeps it outside off, turning it away a bit. Ashutosh Sharma once again moves to the leg side to repeat the dose but this time has to reach out for it a bit and due to the away spin, he ends up slicing it much squarer. It flies high in the air towards sweeper cover, where Anshul Kamboj runs in from the ropes and takes a good catch. DC are 149/6 now.

SIX! Top shot! Flighted delivery, full and around middle. Ashutosh Sharma backs away early to open up the off side. He gets under the ball and dispatches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Shout for LBW, but turned down! Flatter, full and on the leg stump line. Ashutosh Sharma goes down for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal from Noor, but it is turned down. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad takes the review here. Well, the UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball is close to the bat, confirming an inside edge. No need to go further. CSK burn a review.

FOUR! Good shot! Tossed up, full and on off. Ashutosh Sharma clears his front leg away and smacks the leather out of the ball, beating long off to his left for a boundary.

Shorter in length and around off, Tristan Stubbs punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

After 14 overs, Delhi Capitals are 138/5. Chennai Super Kings, at the same stage, were 141/1. The Capitals need 75 runs from 36 balls. Noor Ahmad is called back on. 2-0-21-0 so far for him. He replaces Jamie Overton.

A couple of dots to end the over! Gurjapneet Singh goes fuller and just on off, angling it away. Ashutosh Sharma steps across and has a swipe across the line but fails to connect.

Takes pace off, similar length, on middle. Ashutosh Sharma looks to work it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.

Good length and around off, Tristan Stubbs pushes it towards cover for a run.

EDGED AND FOUR! Gurjapneet Singh hits the deck hard and around off, angling it across the batter. Tristan Stubbs slashes hard at it but gets a thick outside edge towards short third. Khaleel Ahmed dives to his left but the ball drops in front of him and goes through his legs to the fence for a boundary.

Short of a length and around off, Tristan Stubbs cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace.

Hard length and on middle, Ashutosh Sharma pats it in front of point for a quick single.

DC need 83 runs from 42 balls. Still doable with two power hitters in the middle. But they cannot afford losing another quick wicket here. Gurjapneet Singh is called back into the attack.

Back of a length and around off, Ashutosh Sharma arches back and upper cuts it but cannot beat third man. Just one.

SIX! Gets the connection this time! Jamie Overton tries to tuck up the batter with a short ball, angling down the leg. Ashutosh Sharma gets inside the line of the ball nicely and helps it over the deep fine leg fence for his first biggie.

Touch fuller and on middle, Tristan Stubbs works it o long on for a run.

Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on middle, angling in. Ashutosh Sharma looks to hook it away but gets a bit of a top edge. It flies towards deep fine leg, but lands well in front of Khaleel Ahmed. They cross.

That was ripper from Overton, leaving Miller absolutely shellshocked. Just the wicket CSK were looking for. Now then, Delhi Capitals use their Impact sub option. IN - Ashutosh Sharma | OUT - Mukesh Kumar. Ashutosh is in at number 7.

Mukesh Kumar is substituted by Ashutosh Sharma

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! A peach of a delivery from Jamie Overton. He lands this on a hard length from over the wicket, at 145.2 kph. This one lands on middle and leg and just jags back in a bit. David Miller stays in his crease and tries to play at it but it looks like he loses sight of the ball for a moment and also gets undone as the ball skids through. It beats the inside edge and hits the top of the leg stump. Miller has a couple of looks at the surface but he has to walk back here. DC lose half their side now, needing 92 more runs off 46 balls.

Back of a length and around off, David Miller stabs it out off the bottom half of the bat to mid off.

30 runs in the last 2 overs for the Capitals. They need 92 runs from 48 balls. This partnership between Miller and Stubbs has taken a good shape now. ​​Jamie Overton (1-0-3-1) is brought back on.

Another pace-off delivery, banged into the pitch outside off. Tristan Stubbs reaches out and punches it through extra covers for a couple of more runs. Back-to-back 15-run overs for DC!

Hard-length delivery and just around off, Tristan Stubbs slaps it away wide of sweeper cover and gets back for the second run comfortably.

SIX! BOOM! Khaleel Ahmed goes slower again, but serves this a bit too full and around off. Tristan Stubbs picks it up early, holds his shape and tonks it over the long off fence for half a dozen more.

Pace off, hits the length hard, on middle. Tristan Stubbs tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Nelson on the board.

Short of a length and on off, pace on this time. David Miller stays back and dabs it down towards point for a run.

Back of a length and around off, Tristan Stubbs waits for the slower one to arrive and punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! Too many extras creeping in now! Khaleel Ahmed tries the slower bouncer but this is way down the leg side. Tristan Stubbs lets it go.

That was a highly profitable over for the Capitals which should get them going now. Khaleel Ahmed (2-0-25-1) returns into the attack. He replaces Gurjapneet Singh.

FOUR! Powered away! Noor Ahmad gives this some more air, full but lands right in the slot, on middle. David Miller gets right underneath the ball and smacks it over the bowler's head for a boundary. 15 runs off the over.

WIDE! Quicker, full but again down the leg side, David Miller fails to glance it away. Sanju Samson moves to his right and this time makes a better stop.

SIX! Short and punished! Noor Ahmad bowls a half-tracker, on middle. David Miller picks up the length early. Stays nice and low and pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR DC.

Flighted, full and on middle, Tristan Stubbs thumps it past the bowler and to the right of long off for one.

Two wides! Noor Ahmad fires this one full but way down the leg side. David Miller leaves it alone. Sanju Samson moves to his right but it parries off his pads behind him. A wide called and a bye taken.

Drops it short and on leg, Tristan Stubbs stays back and clips it through square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and around off, Tristan Stubbs drives it firmly but straight to extra cover.

Flatter, full and on off, Tristan Stubbs pushes it back to the bowler.

Fuller at the stumps. Stubbs presses forward and bunts it towards cover for a run. At halfway, DC are 91/4, needing 122 runs.

SIX! A boundary after 24 balls for the Capitals. Slow and full, just outside off. Stubbs waits on it and dumps it crisply over long on for a six. That's a strong hit from the South African.

And again! Had the throw hit, Miller would have been a goner. Back of a length outside off. Stubbs jabs it to extra cover and Miller is immediately hell-bent on the single, but Stubbs is going nowhere. Miller is left stranded halfway down the pitch, and had Akeal hit the stumps at the bowling end, it would have been curtains for him.

The slower one, full and on off. Miller walks forward a bit and taps it to Sarfaraz Khan at backward point. Khan fumbles to pick it up, and the ball rolls behind. There's a bit of miscommunication between the batters as well, but they decide to cross over. Stubbs has to dive to reach but Sarfaraz misses his shy at that end. A risky single.

Just a bit of an away shape, fullish and outside off. Tristan Stubbs commits on the front foot and knocks it between mid off and short extra cover for a single.

Short of a good length, angled across. Tristan Stubbs rises with the bounce and cuts it to backward point. Cannot get it past the fielder's dive to his left.

Strategic Break! An eventful first 9 overs in the chase, but Chennai Super Kings have their noses ahead at the moment. The first half belonged to the DC openers, as they started quickly, getting to 50 in just 3.5 overs. However, once KL Rahul departed, they suffered a big collapse, losing 3 more wickets for just 15 runs. Now, a lot depends on the South African duo of Tristan Stubbs and David Miller to get them out of this hole and put the chase back on track. Chennai Super Kings have done well to capitalise here, and their fielding has been top-notch, which is clearly making a difference in this game. But they will know that they need to break this pair quickly and cannot let them get set. Here is Gurjapneet Singh to bowl after the break.

Very full in front of the sticks. Stubbs perhaps tries to drive it straight, but the ball turns in and goes off the inner half. Runs past mid-wicket and they cross for a single.

Keeps the line tighter, around off and dishes one more wrong'un. David Miller is rushed on the back foot and eases it wide of backward point for a single.

Bit quicker and short than the previous ball. Tristan Stubbs hangs back and knocks the googly into the cover gap for a single.

A googly, full and on middle. Miller leans on and runs it down to long on for a single.

A touch short, around off, punched off the back foot to widish cover for a single. Stubbs gets going.

Starts with a flat one, aimed at the leg pole, on a fractionally fuller length. Miller goes deep in the crease and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Back-to-back failures for Sameer Rizvi. That brings Tristan Stubbs out to the middle now. Also, we will see some spin as the ball has been tossed to Noor Ahmad.

OUT! HIGH UP AND GONE! Overton with a massive wicket for his side. The short ball plan works in favor of the tall Englishman here. He digs in another bumper, a rib-tickler to call it best, on leg. Sameer Rizvi tries to use the pace and bounce to heave it over square leg, but gets the shot from the inner half and it spoons miles up in the night sky. Dewald Brevis keeps his eyes locked in at deep square leg and takes a good catch. He is not dropping those at all. The decibel levels go up again at Chepauk. The Capitals are crumbling under pressure. They are 76/4, needing 137 more runs from 72 balls.

In-between length, outside off. Sameer cracks the square cut off the back foot, but finds Sarfaraz Khan stationed there.

A nip-backer on a hard length, on the leg stump. David Miller is cramped for space but manages to ease it to the point region for a quick solo.

WIDE! Banged short and down leg this time. Miller shapes to pull but fails to do so. Wide given.

Length ball at 142.4 kph, wide outside off. Rizvi runs it behind to deep third. Gurjapneet Singh is placed a lot finer in the deep and runs to his left to cut it off. Just a single.

Fifth dot in a row now! Back of a length, at 142 kph, around off. Sameer rocks back and dabs it to backward point.

Starts with a well-directed bumper, at shoulder height, over leg. Sameer Rizvi ducks under it just in the nick of time. Samson gathers it to his left.

Double change as Jamie Overton replaces Anshul Kamboj.

On a length, with the aim on the stumps. David Miller responds with a watchful back foot block. Top class first over for Gurjapneet Singh! A wicket and just 7 runs from it.

Back of a length, on middle, David Miller hangs back and knocks it to the cover fielder.

Extra bounce, nipping back in and around top of off. David Miller is taken aback by the lift. Tries to defend in an evasive way, and the ball smashes the handle of the bat before dropping down on the pitch.

Gets a good lift from a short length, on off. Sameer hops off and stabs it into the off side for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, nips back into Miller. Miller hangs back and hops in his crease and dabs it to short third for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Way too short and it keeps taking off from the runway. Beats the leaping Samson and races behind to the fence.

61/0 becomes 66/3 for DC in the blink of an eye. David Miller is the next man in. Heartbreak in the last game, but he will be eager to make amends and take his side over the line in this one.

OUT! CAUGHT SPECTACULARLY! ​​Sarfaraz Khan is off for a sprint across Chepauk. Kid you not, that was travelling at the rate of knots. Singh hits the deck really hard, and keeps it outside the off pole. Axar Patel hangs back in the crease and tries to square cut it past backward point, but cannot keep it along the ground. Hits it flat to the right of Sarfaraz Khan at the mentioned position. Khan reacts quickly and throws himself to the right with his hands stretched forward. Takes a fine, fine catch to dismiss the DC captain. Gurjapneet Singh starts off with a wicket and Delhi Capitals are 66/3, suddenly spiraling down.

Gurjapneet Singh has been introduced into the attack right after the Powerplay.

Almost played on! Back of a length, outside off. Sameer Rizvi goes for the late cut, but the ball skids on and goes off the inside edge to the keeper. Delhi Capitals end their Powerplay at 66/2.

Full and straight on middle, Rizvi shuffles across and drills it down to mid on.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Fuller in length and just around off. Sameer Rizvi leans on to his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Short of a length and around off, Axar Patel runs it down to deep third for a single.

Both the DC openers are gone now. Skipper Axar Patel comes out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Khaleel will be the most relieved man out in the park. Full length on middle, bowled with a scrambled seam and it angles in a bit as well. Nissanka picks out the shot early and looks to clear mid on, but he cannot get the timing right and ends up chipping it tamely to mid on. Dewald Brevis gets down low and takes a fine catch. Delhi Capitals are 61/2, chasing 213 runs.

PUT DOWN! Could have been two in two for the Super Kings had Khaleel held on to that. Excellent effort though, trying to catch that to his non-dominant side. Over the wicket, good length angling into the leg stump. Nissanka flicks it straight and flat to short fine leg's right. The ball goes at a ballistic pace as Khaleel dives to his right, but puts it down.

That wicket will bring a huge relief for CSK. In walks Sameer Rizvi at number 3. Anshul Kamboj to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

OUT! TAKEN! Khaleel Ahmed strikes a crucial blow for CSK. Change of angle works for him. He comes around the wicket and digs it into the surface, on middle, angling in a bit. KL Rahul stays back and looks to heave it away but the ball just gets big on him here. It hits him high on the bat and lobs up towards mid-wicket, where Jamie Overton backtracks a bit and takes a good catch. Rahul is disappointed with himself, but has to walk back. DC are 61/1.

Slower bumper, on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Gets it away! This is short again and outside off, takes pace off. Pathum Nissanka anticipates early and backs away to make some room. He extends his hands and slaps it over extra covers for a boundary.

Incredible effort in the deep! Short of a length and on middle, Pathum Nissanka once again goes for the pull shot and connects well too. It looks to be going over the deep backward square leg fence. However, Noor Ahmad runs to his right and leaps in the air, hanging there for a split second. He gets both his hands up and flicks the ball back inside as he knows he is going to fall over the ropes. Saves four runs for his team.

Touch fuller and on middle, Pathum Nissanka backs away and heaves it over mid-wicket, but not from the middle of the bat. Jamie Overton in the deep runs to his left and slides to push the ball back inside and does well to lift his back leg up to not touch the ropes. Saves a couple of runs for his team.

Back of a length and on off, slower as well, Pathum Nissanka punches it to cover.

The Capitals are bossing the Powerplay right now. Given how the older ball tends to hold on, this is good batting from these two openers. Khaleel Ahmed is back on. 1-0-16-0 so far.

Hard length and around leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it through square leg for one.

FOUR! Not timed well but gets the desired result! Short again and on off, just gets a bit big on the batter. Pathum Nissanka knows there is no protection in the deep on the leg side and goes for the pull. Gets a bit of a top edge but it lands in the vacant deep mid-wicket fence and rolls to the fence for a boundary. 50 UP FOR DC in just 3.5 overs.

SIX! Into the stands! Anshul Kamboj bangs this into the pitch, on middle, but this is not short enough to trouble the Sri Lankan. Pathum Nissanka latches onto it in a flash and hammers it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and around off, KL Rahul looks to heave it across the line but once again gets an inside edge. This time Jamie Overton is there at deep backward square leg to cut it out. Just a single.

Much better! Lands this on a good length and on middle, nips back in. KL Rahul looks to work it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

FOUR! KL Rahul greets Anshul Kamboj with a boundary! This is fuller in length and on middle, angling into the pads. Rahul has a hoick across the line and gets an inside edge that races to the deep fine leg fence for four runs.

It's been a breezy start for the Capitals in their chase. They need 177 runs from 102 balls. Anshul Kamboj replaces Khaleel Ahmed now.

Quicker one, full and on the pads, Pathum Nissanka clips it away but straight to short fine.

Arm ball again, shortish and on middle, angling in sharply. Pathum Nissanka gets cramped up for room and bunts it out to the off side.

Goes back to the shorter length, on middle and leg. KL Rahul nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

SIX! Shot of the chase so far! Tossed up, full and on middle. KL Rahul skips down the track after the ball is released. He gets to the pitch of it and hits it through the line to launch it over long off for a biggie.

FOUR! KL Rahul gets going now! Akeal Hosein drags his length back and just outside off. Rahul moves to the leg side early to access the off side. He extends his arms and flat-bats it over mid off for his first boundary.

Arm ball, short and on middle, goes in with the arm. Pathum Nissanka punches it to extra cover for a single.

Bangs this into the pitch, pace on. Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away to deep square leg for one. 16 runs off Khaleel's first over!

FOUR! Pathum Nissanka has picked up from where he left off in the last game. This is a poor delivery as well. Slower one, full but down the leg side. Nissanka just has to get some bat on it and he tickles it away fine as the ball races to the fine leg fence for four more runs.

FOUR! Up and over! Khaleel Ahmed keeps the line outside off, but goes a bit too full this time. Pathum Nissanka gets the chance to free his arms and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary now.

Takes pace off, short of a length and just outside off. Pathum Nissanka mistimes his punch off the bottom half of the bat to cover.

A slight halt in play. Change of ball already, as the previous one might have just gone out of shape after smashing on the concrete in the stands. The fourth umpire brings the box of replacement balls. Another one is picked up and we are good to resume.

SIX! BANG! Khaleel Ahmed lands this on a hard length but down the leg side. Pathum Nissanka picks it up off his pads and deposits it over the deep backward square leg fence for the first biggie of the chase.

Khaleel Ahmed begins with a back-of-a-length delivery, on off. KL Rahul opens the face of his bat and guides it through backward point for a single.

God, that was a longish opening over from Hosein. But he would be relieved that he got away with just 8 runs from it. Khaleel Ahmed to bowl the second over. He is yet to strike in this season.

Drops it short once more, outside off. Pathum Nissanka cuts it away but fails to beat cover-point. A couple of No Balls, but still a decent over from Akeal.

Pushed through quicker, full and on off, KL Rahul bunts it out in front of cover and sets off for the run. Sarfaraz Khan charges in, picks it up on the bounce and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end but Rahul has made his ground.

Cannot get it away! Sticks to the shorter length and on middle. KL Rahul rocks back and pulls it away but gets it more from the inner half of the bat. Noor Ahmad at squae leg dives to his left to save a certain boundary.

My goodness! Akeal Hosein has overstepped again. He bowls an arm ball, shortish and on middle, angling in. Pathum Nissanka nudges it wide of mid-wicket, where the fielder dives to his left to make a half-stop. They cross. Another No Ball called and a Free Hit to follow.

Good fielding! Another short delivery, outside off. Pathum Nissanka cuts it away wide of point. Anshul Kamboj dives to his right to make a fine one-handed stop.

Dragged back, on off, Pathum Nissanka punches it to cover.

FOUR! Makes full use of the Free Hit! Shorter in length again, on middle. Pathum Nissanka stays back and heaves it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Akeal Hosein starts with a floated delivery, short and around off. Pathum Nissanka moves back and stabs it out to extra cover. Oh..no! Hosein has overstepped here, a cardinal sin for a spinner. It is called a No Ball. Free Hit up next...

An excellent piece of fielding but Chennai Super Kings finish with 212/2 on the board. Length ball outside off, Sanju Samson hangs deep in the crease and laces the shot back past the bowler. The fielders at long off and long on converge and the dive is put in by Pathum Nissanka from long off to his right to cut off the boundary. A brace to end the innings.

Doesn't carry! A full toss this time, on middle. Shivam Dube hangs back but fails to get under it. Dube looks to power it away and mistimes it flat towards wide long on. Pathum Nissanka tries to collect it on the half-volley and manages to stop it, keeping it down to one. However, Mukesh Kumar is unhappy as he feels Nissanka didn't make much of an effort to go for the catch.

FOUR! That's raw power from Dube. Pitched up, a bit too full and around off. Neither yorker-length nor wide enough outside off. Dube gets across a touch and nails it back past the bowler, between the umpire and the non-striker for another boundary.

Good length, on middle and leg, hitting the deck hard, Samson has a swipe across the line and gets it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Very full and outside off, Mukesh gets it away from the hitting arc by bowling it from over the wicket. Dube hits it hard but along the turf to long off and picks up a single.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Good-length delivery, outside off, Shivam Dube leans back and then uses those long levers to generate power, smashing it flat and back over the bowler's head for a biggie. 200 UP FOR CSK!

Last over coming up. Mukesh Kumar (3-0-22-0) to wrap up. How many more can CSK get here? Let's see...

SIX! That's gone many a mile. Sanju Samson premeditates a bit and gets across to the off side. Lungi Ngidi ends up serving a full ball on off, right in the slot. Sanju gets under it and launches it high and over cow corner for a biggie to end the over, 13 off it.

Yorker-length delivery, around middle and leg, Dube backs away and ends up swivelling onto the back foot, swinging it away behind mid-wicket for just a single.

Oh, it looks like Lungi Ngidi has hurt his left knee and needs medical attention. The physio is already out there to check him up. He does get back on his feet eventually. Good to go.

Fuller in length, on off, Dube backs away and just eases the ball away through the cover region, picking up a couple of runs in the deep.

Another golden dot ball for DC. Slower one, this time on a back of a length and outside off. Dube swings across the line but only manages to connect with thin air.

Brilliant comeback delivery. Ngidi jams in a yorker on middle and leg stump, lands it right on the popping crease. Dube ends up smothering it on the deck.

FOUR! An agricultural heave, but it does the job for Shivam Dube and CSK. Bowled from around the wicket, full and angled into the batter. Dube gets forward and swings, gets it more off the inner half of the blade and over backward square leg for a boundary.

Last 2 overs left. 200 definitely looks on cards, but as we have been quite habitual of seeing, even those 210-220 are not safe anymore. CSK, with 8 wickets in hand would definitely try to get more than those. But can they? Lungi Ngidi to bowl the penultimate over.

FOUR! Oh, Samson's getting funky now. A low full toss, on off, Sanju Samson goes for the reverse lap and gets it off the face of the blade, up and over short third for a boundary.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR SANJU SAMSON! You can sense the relief on his face and that's a 4th century in the IPL for Samson, his first one for CSK. What a comeback knock this has been. Another good yorker, on leg stump, Samson looks to flick but is slightly undone and the ball ends up going off the cue end of the blade and it rolls away into the deep third fence.

Excellent bowling once again. T Natarajan goes full and lands it around the fifth stump line, Shivam Dube jams it wide of point for a single.

Well, well that's interesting. CSK have decided to retire out Ayush Mhatre on 59 off 36 balls. In walks Shivam Dube at number 4.

Ayush Mhatre has not recovered from the injury suffered and won't be able to participate any more with the bat. As it stands, Ayush Mhatre is retired out.

Very full again, around off, hit away through extra cover, without any real timing and for another single. Seven singles in the last nine deliveries, nothing else.

Oh, that's a good delivery, a tough one to put away, even when you're batting on 97. A straight yorker, on the money and all Sanju Samson can do is keep it out.

Back of a length, on leg stump, Mhatre looks to pull but ends up mistiming it down to long on for a single.

That was a fantastic over by Ngidi. In fact, the Capitals have conceded just 13 runs in the last 2 overs. T Natarajan (3-0-43-0) replaces Mukesh Kumar with 3 overs to go in the innings.

Play and a miss! Is KL Rahul appealing for a catch here? Yes, definitely seems like it but no one else is interested and maybe KL is just trying to play with the batter's mind here. Slower one, pitched up outside off, Samson looks for the cover drive but gets beaten past the outside edge. Just 5 off the over.

Takes pace off again, does Ngidi and pushes the ball wide of the off stump. Mhatre taps it into the off side to make it five singles off five deliveries in this over.

Bowled slower again, full and very wide outside off, dips late as well. Samson extends his arms and ends up toe-ending the ball in front of point for one more. Good over so far from Ngidi.

Ngidi hits the deck hard, bowling it on a good length around off. Mhatre presses back and mistimes the shot back past the bowler for another single.

Slower one at 109.8 kph, delivered full and wide outside off. Samson leans on but then waits well before caressing it through covers for a single.

Full and straight, Mhatre takes the front leg out of the way and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Lungi Ngidi returns. 2-0-23-0 are his bowling figures so far.

FOUR! Overpitched delivery, wide outside off, Sanju Samson sets base deep in the crease and throws his hands at it, slashing the ball up and over backward point for a boundary. Sanju is just a hit away now from the three-figure mark.

WIDE! Full and wide outside off, just beyond the tramline, and called a wide.

DROPPED! Can you believe it? Another life for Mhatre and even though this was a tough chance, you'd expect David Miller to take it. Mukesh Kumar hits the good length, hard and angles it into the batter. Ayush Mhatre looks to back away and smash it over long on but the ball takes the toe end of his bat. It loops in the deep, where Miller comes charging in from the fence, puts in the dive but grasses it. Just a single then.

Another big mix-up and Ayush Mhatre is left off the hook once again. Mukesh nails the wide yorker, Mhatre only manages to squeeze it out to the left of backward point. Kuldeep Yadav is the one who moves to his left as Mhatre sets off for the single. Samson sends him back but KD fumbles the ball and Mhatre is able to get back.

Another one into the blockhole, around middle and leg, Samson clears the front leg and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a run. This brings up the 100-run partnership between Samson and Mhatre.

That's a brilliant delivery. A slower yorker, just outside the line of off stump. Samson looks to drive but gets an under-edge on it.

Full-length delivery, on off, Mhatre hangs deep and pummels the ball down to long off but just for a single.

Five overs left in the innings. Axar Patel is bowled out, and the Capitals are itching for a wicket. Mukesh Kumar comes back into the attack.

An attempted yorker around off. Mhatre squeezes it past cover-point for a single. 19 runs from the over. A big one for the Super Kings.

Full and wide again, Samson smashes it down to long off for a single. He moves to 90 from 43 balls.

FOUR! CREAMED! Very full and outside off. Samson uses the width to his benefit. Gets under the ball nicely and shovels it to deep point for a blazing boundary.

SIX! SMOKED! And as per Daren Ganga on air, this is Samson's 400th T20 six. Slow into the pitch, on top of middle and leg. Sanju Samson lets the ball arrive and nails the pull shot to perfection into the stands behind deep mid-wicket. 150 UP FOR THE SUPER KINGS!

Full and straight, around off. Mhatre carves it down to long off for a single.

SIX! FIFTY FOR AYUSH MHATRE! His 3rd in the IPL. He gets there in just 27 balls. Slower ball dug into the pitch, short on off. Mhatre is a touch early into the shot but still manages to pull it over deep mid-wicket. This has been a well-compiled knock from Mhatre so far. He has shown good maturity and looks for a big one.

Turns a bit from a length, at 82.3 kph, on off. Ayush dinks it across to deep mid-wicket for a single. 11 runs from the over. 22 from the last two for CSK. 4-0-39-1 for Axar Patel tonight.

SIX! Into the arc, and out of the park! A half volley, on middle and leg. Ayush Mhatre gets down on his knee by clearing his front leg and slogs it behind deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Drifts one on the pads, full in length. Sanju Samson gets on the front foot and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Four singles from four balls.

Slows it up a bit, and it holds on the pitch slightly. On a length, on off. Ayush tips it down to long on for one.

Short again, on leg. Samson backs away and nudges it through mid-wicket for one more.

Short and onto the pads, at 95.4 kph. Mhatre turns it to deep backward square leg for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! 130/1 after 13 overs and the Super Kings are in the driver's seat here. However, in recent times, 200 hasn't been easily defendable at the Chepauk and the Capitals will know that. The question is, if CSK do get to 200, then how much more can they get? DC, on the other hand, will be hoping that they get a wicket or two quickly after this break and then build from there. An interesting phase of play is on the horizon, so let's get to it. Axar Patel (3-0-28-1) is back on to finish his spell.

Slow, full, outside off, Mhatre stretches forward and eases it to the right of extra cover for a quick run.

BEATEN! At pace and on a hard length, outside off, nipping in a touch. Ayush Mhatre stands tall, and tries to punch it away, but gets beaten on the inside edge by an absolute whisker.

That dipping slower full toss by Ngidi, around off. Mhatre tries to crash that past cover, but inside edges on the back pad and it rolls around him on the strip.

SIX! Straight and long enough! Off-pace delivery and right into the slot, outside off. Ayush Mhatre picks the length early and smokes it down the ground for a big six. Excellent batting so far from the youngster.

EDGED, FOUR! Pace off and outside off, on a good length. Ayush Mhatre throws the kitchen sink at it, but without moving his feet. Flashes hard, gets a thick outside edge and it sails wide to the right of the keeper for a boundary.

On a back of a length, at 132.2 kph, outside off. Mhatre takes a baby step forward and stabs it down the pitch. Gets a bit of an under edge back to the keeper.

Lungi Ngidi is back on. He went for 12 runs in his first over.

SIX! High and handsome! Pushed across the batter, on a fuller length. Sanju Samson strides across and launches it into the stands behind deep extra cover. He moves to 77 from 38 balls.

Good length, at the stumps. This is deftly clipped towards wide long on for one.

Short outside off, and Samson blasts that back at the bowler. Kuldeep gets a hand to it but it deflects away to long on for a single.

Full delivery on middle and leg. Mhatre gets forward and chips one back over the bowler. Kuldeep gets a fingertip to it by leaping but cannot hold on. The ball rolls wide of mid on for a single.

SIX! Sails all the way! Too full and on off. Ayush Mhatre gets under it nicely by planting his back knee into the pitch. He slogs it high in the air over long on and just for a bit, Miller thinks he is in the game to catch it, but it sails over him for half a dozen.

Pushed fuller and on middle. Sanju Samson sits down to slog sweep, but gets off the inner half to the right of deep square leg for a single.

Low full toss, on middle, Sanju Samson crisply drives down the ground. Sameer Rizvi from long on, runs to his left and cuts it off. Keeps it down to a single only.15 runs from the over. The best over for CSK so far.

Already 14 off the over. Will the extra ball hurt DC even more?

WIDE! Way too short and it sails over the batter. Samson opts to leave.

Up in the air, but safe! A slower bumper, outside off. Ayush Mhatre is early into the shot and checks his shot. Punches it just over and wide of the point fielder for a single.

Had to rush there! Hard length, across off, Sanju gets on top of the bounce and dabs it fine to the left of short third for a quick single. 100 UP FOR CSK!

SIX! And away she goes! Back of a length, on middle. Sanju Samson gets into a stable position before whipping it behind deep square leg for a cracking six.

Slightly fuller than the previous ball, outside off. Punched on the rise through cover for a single.

FOUR! Geez, that's a cracking shot! Banged in halfway down the pitch, outside off. Ayush Mhatre makes full use of the width offered. Stands tall and cuts it past point for a boundary. The fielder in the ring stands no chance to move a single muscle.

Slides in with the arm, on a length, on middle. Mhatre gets across on the back foot and punches it down to long on for a single. Quite an eventful over this. 11 runs from it. At halfway, CSK are 88/1.

Quick and short, outside off. Samson cuts it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Adding insult to injury. Dropped a fraction too short on off, not much room on offer, though. Samson does well to rock back and he forces the pull flat and back past the bowler for a boundary.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Both batters get a life in the space of three deliveries. Tossed up around off, Sanju Samson leans on to play the lofted shot but doesn't quite get to the pitch of the ball. Sanju ends up mistiming it over mid on. Pathum Nissanka at the long off fence, comes rushing in but dives forward and fumbles the catch, and the ball even rolls behind to the fence.

On the pads, swiped across to deep square leg for a single.

RUN OUT CHANCE, MISSED! Length ball around off, Mhatre pats it down in front of covers and sets off for the single. There is no run on offer and Sanju Samson sends him back. Sameer Rizvi is quick to get to the ball, running to his right and fires a perfect throw to the keeper. However, KL Rahul fumbles the ball, allowing Mhatre to scamper back.

STRATEGIC BREAK! After a fairly aggressive Powerplay, things have slowed down a bit since the field has spread. Last three overs have gone for just 16 runs with the wicket of Gaikwad. As the ball has started to soften up, it is holding a touch on the surface now. Samson, however, has held his end beautifully so far and will aim to convert this into a big score. He remains the central figure for CSK for a score in excess of 180 or maybe 200. A wicket or two here will bring the Capitals in command. Let's see how this phase goes about for both teams. Change of ends for Axar Patel. 2-0-17-1 are his bowling figures so far. He replaces Kuldeep Yadav.

Oh, a gutsy review and the correct one as well. Mukesh Kumar goes for the wide yorker and lands it right on the tramline outside off. Sanju Samson lets it go and a wide is called. Mukesh isn't happy and feels that the ball swung late. He is adamant and Axar Patel does take the review. Replays roll in and the third umpire finds that a tiny part of the ball is inside the wide guideline, so the on-field call for a Wide is changed.

A review by DC for wide given. The replay shows that it is just passing within the revised guideline. So it's a fair delivery.

On a good length, outside off, hitting the deck hard, Samson looks to cut but miscues it towards backward point.

Glorious shot, but that's well-fielded and it could have easily been a run out as well. Pitched up, full and straight, Sanju Samson takes the front leg out and drills it back down the ground. The fielder at long on runs to his left and cuts it off, parrying the ball to the long off fielder. Sameer Rizvi is the one who picks it up and throws it at the bowler's end. A direct hit would have been the end of Ayush Mhatre here.

Back of a length and slightly slower, over middle, Mhatre plays it with a straight bat and gets it down to long on for a single.

Hard length, in and around off, blocked down to extra cover by Mhatre.

First FIFTY of the season for Sanju Samson and his first in the Yellow of CSK as well. This is bowled full and on the pads, Sanju gets inside the line and tucks it down to the right of deep backward square leg for a single. A very fine knock thus far, but he will want to stick around for longer.

Will Axar bowl another? Nah, he won't. Mukesh Kumar (1-0-10-0) is back on, replacing his skipper.

FOUR! Too short this time, and Mhatre gets it into the gap as well. This one lands around off, Ayush Mhatre swivels onto the back foot and flat-bats the pull between long on and deep mid-wicket for his first boundary of the game.

Not all that short this time, on middle, Sanju Samson still opts to rock back and he pulls it flat towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Shorter in length again, over middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Dropped short on off, turning away, Sanju Samson hops back, gets side on and slaps it to deep extra cover for a single.

A bit fuller now, angled across off, Samson plays it off the front foot, pushing it to extra cover.

Flatter trajectory, attacking the stumps, Mhatre nudges it across to the leg side for one.

A very successful over from Axar. Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the attack, replacing Lungi Ngidi.

Oh, well bowled. Flighted ball on off, drifting in, Ayush Mhatre leans on and looks to drive but closes the bat face a tad early. The leading edge is found but luckily for him, the ball gets chipped over Axar and the batters get a single.

Fairly outside off, crunched towards extra cover, where the fielder dives to his right and makes a half stop. They get a single.

A bit fuller around off, holds in the pitch, Samson leans on for the drive but nearly chips it straight to extra cover off the face of the blade.

Flatter delivery on middle, tucked away between square leg and mid-wicket for a single.

Skipper dismisses the opposition skipper. Ayush Mhatre walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! 'Catch,' is the call from the keeper and Pathum Nissanka obliges. Axar Patel drags the length short and angles the ball into middle and leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad goes deep in the crease and tries to hoick it over deep mid-wicket, but gets a bit cramped up for space and ends up skying it high and wide of deep mid-wicket. Nissanka runs across to his left and pouches it well. End of another sluggish knock from the Chennai skipper and the 62-run opening stand is broken.

Bowled flat and wide outside off, pushed to the left of the bowler and down to long off for a run.

That's the end of the Powerplay. And for the first time, CSK haven't lost any wickets in the first six overs this season. It's very muggy and humid out there and Sanju Samson is down on the ground. The physio is out to tend to him, helping him with a bit of massage on the back. Samson is back on his feet and good to go. Axar Patel (1-0-13-0) is back on. He replaces T Natarajan.

Immaculate timing again. Slower delivery, pitched full and outside off, Samson waits before driving the ball powerfully along the turf, but he finds the fielder at sweeper cover and it will just be a single. End of a productive Powerplay with the bat for CSK - 61/0.

FOUR! A touch of class from Sanju! Back of a length, just outside off, Sanju Samson watches the ball like a hawk, waits for it and just glides it off the face of the blade between the keeper and short third for a boundary.

Another slower ball, dished full and wide outside off, Gaikwad advances and pushes the ball towards cover for one more.

Pace-off delivery this time, fuller and outside off, Samson gets the drive off the inner half of the blade and mistimes it in front of point for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Shorter in length, wide outside off, Sanju Samson rocks onto the back foot and cuts it hard past point for a boundary.

Starts wide of the crease and hits that in-between length, angling it into the stumps. Gaikwad covers the line and taps it to mid on for one. The 50-run stand is up between these two as well.

Who will bowl the last over of the Powerplay? It will be Lungi Ngidi, surprised that he has been given the ball so late.

BEATEN! Good comeback by the bowler! Hits the deck hard and angles it across the right-hander. Sanju Samson attempts to cut it square on the off side, but the ball bounce over his angled bat.

FOUR! That's handsomely played! Too full by Natarajan, outside off. Sanju Samson gets on the front foot and smashes it over the mid off fielder for a cracking boundary. His 7th four of the evening.

Short and wide, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad stands tall and square cuts it behind point for a single. Still looking to get a move on, is the CSK skipper. 13 (15) for him.

Full and just outside off, Samson with a gentle tap towards point for a single.

Excellent fielding by the debutant! Back of a length, angling in at the pads. Gaikwad punches it to the right of mid on. Auqib Nabi gives it a long chase from the inner circle and manages to pull it back inside with a slide. Three taken.

Nagging length, cutting in a bit on off. Gaikwad is rushed on the back foot and cuts it to backward point.

T Natarajan comes on to bowl, replacing Auqib Nabi in the attack.

FOUR! Top shot! Quicker from Axar, full and around leg. Sanju Samson gets a good stride forward and lifts it over the cover fielder to pick up another boundary. 13 runs ​​​​​​from Axar's first. CSK are off to a much better start this time.

Shortens the length, on off, Samson punches it to extra cover and denies the single.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up, full and outside off. Sanju Samson moves leg side and lofts it inside out, over cover for a boundary.

Around off, on a length, Gaikwad taps it in front of cover-point for a quick single.

Flat and quick, on a fullish length. Gaikwad walks a bit forward and stabs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! That would ease a bit of pressure from him. Axar bowls a touch fuller on middle and drifts in. Ruturaj Gaikwad is quick to back away and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary.

First bowling change of the match. Axar Patel brings himself on, replacing Mukesh Kumar.

On a good length, angling in from off to middle. Gaikwad tucks it through square leg for a single. A rather tidy second over from Nabi. 2-0-17-0 so far are his bowling figures.

Still cannot get it through! Full and outside off, Gaikwad leans on and plays the cover drive but finds the fielder there.

Good length, on middle, Gaikwad nudges it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Hits the deck hard, outside off, Samson stabs it wide of backward point for a single.

FOUR! Good shot! Short in length, on off, Sanju Samson picks the length in a trice and pulls it over mid on. The ball yorks the boundary ropes for a four.

At 136.7 kph, on top of off, Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it to mid off and calls his partner through for a single.

FOUR! That was a boundary the moment it left the bat! Full again from Mukesh, around middle and leg. Sanju Samson taps his front foot forward and cracks the straight drive, to the left of mid off, for a crisp boundary. Didn't lose his shape at all and just hit it through the line with a stable head.

FOUR! Fine shot! A bit too straight on the pads, full in length. Sanju Samson lets the ball come at him, uses his wrists and flicks it to the long leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length, just outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad nudges it to the left of mid on and pinches a quick single.

Good length, outside off, shaping away. Gaikwad walks forward to negate the swing, and punches it crisply, but straight to extra cover.

Hard length, on off, at 132.6 kph, Gaikwad hangs back and tucks it to mid on.

Short of a good length, swinging away, outside off. Samson stays back and dabs it in front of backward point for a quick run.

A profitable first over for CSK. Auqib Nabi did get the ball to swing a bit with his medium pace though. Mukesh Kumar to operate from the opposite end.

Good length, on a tighter line on middle. Samson tucks it across to square leg for a single. T Natarajan there gets a bit wrong-footed to his right, but the ball stays in his vicinity. 10 runs from the opening over.

WIDE! A bit too far outside off, and it keeps leaving the batter, breaching the tramline. Samson decides to leave. A good diving grab by KL Rahul to his right. Wide called.

At 129.8 kph, this is bashed on a length, on the fourth pole, with a bit of outswing. Sanju Samson walks forward and stabs it onto the pitch. The ball rolls behind to the keeper.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Good length, moving away outside off. Sanju Samson stays put and nails the square cut to deep third. Beats Stubbs' chase to his left.

On a back of a length, outside off, Gaikwad steps out a bit and punches wide of mid off for a quick single. Gets to the other end before the stumps are hit at the non-striker's end.

Nice and full, around off, Gaikwad drives it off the front foot to cover.

Good shot and fantastic fielding to get things underway! Full and a bit of an away shape, outside off, Samson leans across on the front foot and creams it through the covers. The fielder from deep point, Stubbs, covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to palm it back in the field of play. The replay confirms that Stubbs has done just well enough to save a run for his side.

All set to get going. The whistles are echoing, and it's a full house in Chennai. As usual, a sea of yellow all across the stands, they fondly call AnbuDen. There's an odd sprinkling of blue here and there. The two umpires make their way out now. Out walks the opening pair for CSK. Ruturaj Gaikwad ​​​and Sanju Samson make their way to the crease. The players of Delhi Capitals have taken their spots on the field. And straightaway, the debutant, Auqib Nabi, will bowl the first over of the match. Samson to face. A slip in place. Here we go!

The captain of Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad says they would have bowled as well, describing it as a fresh red soil pitch that he feels would offer some assistance to the bowlers in the initial few overs. However, he also notes it is on the drier side. On the subject of getting off the mark in the tournament, Gaikwad stresses that the side has been working hard across all departments and feels the improvement was visible. He underlines that the batting has been doing well but points to a few key moments where CSK failed to capitalise. Moments he feels they needed to convert going forward. He is quick to add, though, that the mood in the camp is positive and everyone is in a good space heading into the game. On the team combination, Gaikwad welcomes the return of Dewald Brevis to the side, saying he is excited, raring to go, and would add real strength to the middle order. He also mentions Gurjapneet Singh, who has been bowling well and has come into the side in place of Matt Henry. On MS Dhoni's availability, Gaikwad reveals that the veteran is at the hotel, watching the game and lending his support from there. Says Dhoni would be on the ground soon and wraps it at that with a hopeful note.

The captain of Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that the wicket appears to be in good condition. Axar also shows confidence in his side's batting depth and says that they are prepared to chase down whatever total the opposition sets. He acknowledges the magnitude of the IPL while also noting that the tournament is still in its early stages, maintaining that the atmosphere within the dressing room remains relaxed and positive. Informs that they are going with two changes, with Vipraj Nigam making way for Auqib Nabi. Adds that Ashutosh Sharma comes in for Nitish Rana.

Impact sub options for DC - Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi (On IPL debut and in for Vipraj Nigam), Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.

Impact sub options for CSK - Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Matt Henry.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis (In for Prashant Veer), Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh (In for Matt Henry), Khaleel Ahmed.

TOSS - Well, it is coming down to toss time in Chepauk. Both captains - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Axar Patel are in readiness with the sheets exchanged. Gaikwad gives it a flick and Axar calls Tails. It lands down as Tails. DC ELECT TO BOWL FIRST.

A quick word - DC's Tristan Stubbs says that he has managed to put the GT game behind him, having spent the last two days watching golf rather than thinking about cricket. On the prospect of playing in Chennai, Stubbs says he is quite excited, drawing on what he has seen during the T20 World Cup. He describes it as a good wicket with a bit more bounce than Delhi, which he was looking forward to. On being asked about flexibility in the middle order, Stubbs says that a left and right combination appears to be the prevailing trend and says he is happy to slot in wherever the coach and captain feel is best. On the subject of batting position uncertainty, Stubbs calls it a feature throughout his career, with the call often coming down to either being next in or being asked to wait. He says he does not mind that at all, as long as it is communicated clearly and in advance. On the mood in the camp, Stubbs says it is pretty chill and good. He stresses that a sign of a well-functioning team is the ability to simply accept a loss and move on. Feels there were plenty of positives to take from the last game and expresses hope that the side could return to winning ways and carry that momentum forward.

Oh, he's back - We got you, didn't we? Not talking about MS Dhoni here. He is still recovering from his calf injury. Live visuals show that Dewald Brevis is taking a few throwdowns, which hints at his participation in this game. At the presser, CSK head coach, Stephen Fleming did mention that he is not far off from making it back in the side. So, if he makes it to the XI here, either Prashant Veer or Kartik Sharma would make way for him. Remember, CSK played only 3 overseas in the previous game.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta starts by noting that the ground dimensions are 65 metres and 68 meters on the squares, and 79 metres straight down the ground. Daren Ganga then joins in and notes that while the humidity at Chepauk remains constant, the personality of the pitch has shifted considerably over the last five years. Details that the percentage of wickets falling to spin has dropped, making it a less threatening proposition for slow bowlers than it once was. Ganga then points out a few bare patches on the surface and suggests that CSK may be tempted to deploy Akeal Hosein to exploit them. He adds that there could be something in it for Noor Ahmad as well, who is yet to open his account this season. On the question of totals, Ganga highlights that both teams crossed 200 in the previous game, but is hesitant to make the same forecast here. Mentions that the grass covering looks fairly even and the pitch is not particularly dry, leading him to conclude it is a good batting surface. Dasgupta wraps up by suggesting the conditions should offer the bowlers slightly more than they did in the last fixture.

A run-fest up north - As you all know, it's a double header Saturday, so double the fun. Up in Mullanpur, in Match 17, there's an interesting tussle going on right now between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH, while batting first, posted a massive, or not so massive 219/6 on the board, thanks to the Travishek mayhem up top. But in response, the Kings, through the blazing Prabhsimran-Arya opening alliance, are well and truly alive in the game. As per the last reports, PBKS are 154/3 in 13 overs, needing 66 runs from 42 balls. You can follow all the updates from that game by hopping to the other tab as we wait for the toss update for this one.

Conditions and pitch expectations - Chepauk is no longer a landmine for batters as it used to be. In the only game played here this season so far, we have seen a first inning total in north of 200, and that being chased down with relative ease as well. And given how CSK’s bowling unit has leaked runs, they would hope to bring in some control this time around, especially in the Powerplay phase where they have conceded 74/0, 68/1, and 51/1 in the first six this year. Whereas, Delhi Capitals have stuck with the same Ngidi-Mukesh-Natarajan pace trio. These three have collectively picked 13 wickets, which is the joint-third most in this season so far, with Mukesh having the highest dot ball percentage of all three. So with batting-friendly conditions expected once again in Chennai, let’s hope for a cracker of a game. Toss and teams coming up next very shortly.

The Capitals look upon another KLassic - Delhi may have left their last game with a bitter taste, but they walk into Chepauk in far better shape than their hosts. Two wins, a settled batting order, and bowling options in abundance. And then there is KL Rahul. If CSK's bowlers have not already circled his name in red, they should. Rahul thrives against the Super Kings, averaging 45 with a strike rate of 143. The innings log tells the rest. 77, 16, 82, 20, 40, and 98* are his recent scores against them. And after a couple of quiet digs this season, he has found form with a spectacular 92 against GT.

Lion’s search for resurrection - The ghosts of 2022 are stirring. That season remains CSK's most forgettable chapter, four wins in the entire campaign and four straight defeats to open it. Three losses in as many games this time around, and CSK are inches away from equalling that unwanted record. The next two home games will shape their season ahead. Sarfaraz Khan has been their lone fighter with the bat, but the man the Super Kings really need to fire is captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. He has been uncharacteristically quiet, yet this is precisely the ground where he comes alive. 792 runs at Chepauk, the highest in the current CSK squad. He has the most runs and the best average as a CSK opener in IPL history at this venue. If there is a time and place for Ruturaj to remind everyone who he is, it is here, and it is tonight.

Lion vs Tiger at Chepauk - There is an old saying that the only way out after hitting rock bottom is the way up. Three games, three defeats. Chennai Super Kings, one of the most decorated franchises in IPL history, find themselves under immense pressure inside Chepauk, which has never felt quite this heavy. Standing in their way are Delhi Capitals, who arrive with wounds of their own. A stinging home defeat last time out has dented their early momentum, and they will be looking to get back on track at the expense of a CSK side that cannot afford another slip. Hello and welcome to our coverage of Match 18 of IPL 2026.

... MATCH DAY ...

Pressure vs opportunity - Match 18 of the 2026 Indian Premier League takes us to Chennai, where the Chennai Super Kings face the Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. It is a clash between two teams with contrasting starts to the tournament. CSK seek answers at home - Chepauk, once an impregnable fortress, has begun to show cracks. CSK have lost their last six home games, and with three defeats in a row this season, they find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table. It raises the question of whether this campaign could follow a similar path to 2025, when they finished with the wooden spoon. Spotlight on the openers - Chennai's success was always expected to hinge on their opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson. However, returns of 9, 14 and 14 for the opening stands underline their struggles, with Samson also registering three single-digit scores so far. There have been glimpses of promise from Ayush Mhatre and Sarfaraz Khan, but if the Super Kings are to script a turnaround, they will need their experienced openers to step up and lead from the front. There could be a timely boost on the batting front with the imminent return of Dewald Brevis, who missed the first three games due to a side strain. Bowling unit under the scanner - The bowling remains a bigger concern. It has lacked bite, conceding 250 in the previous game against Bengaluru, while the last outing at Chepauk saw them fail to defend 209 against Punjab. Khaleel Ahmed is yet to pick up a wicket this season despite bowling better than his returns suggest. In an inexperienced pace unit, Matt Henry was expected to lead the attack and make an impact, but that has not quite materialised. Even Noor Ahmad, CSK's leading wicket-taker last season, has been expensive and struggled to make an impact so far. DC eye return to winning ways - The Delhi Capitals began with two wins and looked on course for a third, but could not quite get over the line against the Gujarat Titans. They cannot afford to dwell on it, especially with three games on the road coming up. Questions remain at number 3 - There were positives to take from that setback. As an opening pair, Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul did not click in the first two games but stepped up against GT, with Rahul finding form after a subdued start to the tournament. There is still a concern around the number three spot, with Nitish Rana managing just 20 runs in the 3 innings so far. How long DC persist with him remains to be seen, with the likes of Abishek Porel, Prithvi Shaw and Karun Nair waiting in the wings. Balanced bowling attack - Last season, in his first year as Delhi's captain, Axar Patel did not use himself a lot with the ball. This time around, he has taken on greater responsibility and has been impressively economical. Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan have also played their part, while Lungi Ngidi has continued his rise in T20 cricket, with his dipping slower balls proving difficult to put away. Team form (Last 5 completed games, recent first) - CSK - LLLWL | DC - LWWWL. Numbers to note - The overall head-to-head is in favour of CSK, with 19 wins for Chennai and 12 for Delhi. Chepauk has not been a happy hunting ground for the Capitals, who have just 5 wins in 12 IPL games here. The last 2 meetings between these sides have gone the way of DC. Conditions in Chennai - Just 1 game so far at Chepauk this season, where pace on was easier to hit through the line, but the slower balls did grip in the surface. It promises to be an intriguing contest, with plenty on the line for both sides. Who are you backing to prevail?