Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, Indian Premier League, 2021 Full score card

FOUR! MS Dhoni finishes things off in style. You have heard that before, haven't you? Curran bowls a shortish ball, on middle. MS Dhoni waits deep in the crease and clubs it past deep mid-wicket to seal the deal. CHENNAI WIN BY 4 WICKETS!

VINTAGE DHONI! Cometh the hour, cometh the Legend! 24 needed off 11 balls when MS arrived at the crease, Delhi were smelling blood after removing Ruturaj Gaikwad but Dhoni's whirlwind 6-ball 18 has taken Chennai into the final of the Indian T20 League 2021 - this is the ninth time they will be contesting for the coveted trophy.

WIDE! Pressure, pressure, pressure! Curran goes full, but way too outside off. Maybe he wants to stay away from MS Dhoni's arc. He will have to reload again though.

FOUR! Streaky but Chennai will take it with both hands. Length ball, outside off. MS Dhoni throws the kitchen sink at it. The ball goes off the inside edge, past the stumps, to fine leg for a boundary. 5 needed off 3.

FOUR! Wonderful from MS Dhoni! Short of a length, outside off. MS Dhoni jumps on his toes and whacks it over extra cover to collect a boundary. 9 needed off 4!

Ravindra Jadeja is the new man in. But it will be Dhoni on strike. 13 needed off 5 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT! The game still hangs in the balance. Tom Curran bowls a short-of-a-length delivery, on middle. Moeen Ali pulls it straight down the throat of the deep square leg fielder. Kagiso Rabada is stationed over there and he does not make any mistake. Tom Curran is pumped up.

Tom Curran has been given the responsibility to bowl the final over.

Slower ball again, outside off, at 123 kph. MS Dhoni has a swing across the line but misses. 13 needed from the final over.

SIX! Vintage Dhoni! What a cracking shot, the crowd has gone bonkers! Short in length and around off, MS hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over wide long on for a maximum.

Lovely slower ball, outside off, at 123.4 kph. MS Dhoni goes for the pull shot but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Full and outside off. Moeen Ali steers it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Well played by Moeen! A low full toss outside off, Moeen latches onto it with an angled bat and lofts it clinically over point for a boundary.

MS Dhoni comes ahead of Ravindra Jadeja. Maybe, to maintain the left-right combination.

OUT! TAKEN! Avesh Khan gets rid of the big fish and what a time to pick up a wicket. He bowls a low full toss outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad swings his bat hard. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. Axar Patel runs to his left and dives at full pace to take a fantastic catch. Ruturaj Gaikwad walks off the field after an impressive knock.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It's going to be Avesh Khan (3-0-36-0).

Short of a length, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad swings across the line. The ball goes off the outside edge to third man for a single. 11 from the over, 24 needed off 12 balls. Anrich Nortje has bowled out now.

FOUR! Class, that's the word! Anrich Nortje sees Ruturaj Gaikwad charging down the track and bowls a full toss, outside off, in search of the wide yorker. Ruturaj Gaikwad slices it over backward point for a boundary. 600 runs in the season for Gaikwad!

In the air, but safe! Short ball, on middle. Moeen Ali mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. Axar Patel runs ahead to take the catch but doesn't attack much and the ball lands just short of him. A single.

Well executed yorker from Anrich Nortje, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad digs it out towards long on for a run.

Short of a length, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to slog it across the line but gets beaten.

FOUR! Gaikwad is the man for Chennai. Anrich Nortje starts with a full ball, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes it just wide of mid off. Shimron Hetmyer dives to his right but couldn't gather the ball. The ball races away to the long off fence. 400 runs in the UAE leg for Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Another full toss on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad heaves it to deep mid-wicket. He retains the strike by picking up a single. 35 needed from 18 balls.

FOUR! Poor ball from Avesh Khan. Bowls a full toss on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad shuffles across and clips the ball neatly between fine leg and deep square leg for a boundary.

Fuller in length, wide outside off. Moeen Ali steers it to deep backward point for a single. 4 singles off the over so far.

Short of a length, outside off. Pulled to long on for one. Singles won't bother Delhi at this stage.

A full toss outside off, Moeen Ali slashes it to deep point. He crosses ends.

Avesh Khan (2-0-27-0) is back into the attack.

Short of a length, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it over mid-wicket off the back foot for one.

Good comeback from Anrich Nortje! Bowls it full, very full, on middle. Moeen Ali jams his bat down in time.

FOUR! This will release some pressure! Short ball, on middle. Moeen Ali pulls it to deep mid-wicket. He fetches himself a boundary with that pull.

This time Moeen Ali whips it off the pads to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Full and on the pads, Moeen Ali flicks it to mid-wicket.

Back of a length, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad goes deep in the crease and dabs it down to third man for a single.

Anrich Nortje (2-0-12-1) is back into the attack.

Short of a length, on leg. Moeen Ali glances it to fine leg for a single.

Moeen Ali is the new man in.

Mix-up but this time no harm is done. Short and wide outside off, Moeen lofts it over point and takes a single. He wants the second run also but is sent back. The throw comes to the bowler's end but it's too wide. Moeen returns home safely.

Very full, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad eases it down to long on for a single.

OUT! RUN OUT! What's happening out there? Suddenly, Chennai lose their fourth wicket in no time. What a turnaround from Delhi! Short of a length, on leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. The batters decide to go for the second run. Shreyas Iyer is on fire in the field. He attacks the ball in the deep, running in from long on and fires in a rocket throw to the bowler. Rabada collects, loses his balance a bit but still manages to take the bails off. Three wickets have gone down in no time and Chennai are in a spot of bother. Delhi are celebrating big. They can sense the momentum shift. 54 needed off 32 balls.

Is that a run out? The umpires have gone upstairs and the replay shows that Ambati Rayudu is well short. OUT is the signal.

Full and on leg, Ambati Rayudu comes down the track and drives it to long on for a single.

Way outside off, Ambati Rayudu guides it to backward point.

Good-length ball, on off. Ambati Rayudu defends it towards covers.

Ambati Rayudu is the new man in. Kagiso Rabada (2-0-19-0) is brought back into the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT! Same bowler, same fielder. Tom Curran bowls a length ball, outside off. Shardul Thakur has a massive swing at it. He is too early though and the ball gets the height but not the distance. Shreyas Iyer at long on runs to his right and takes the simplest of catches. Two wickets in quick succession for Delhi.

WIDE! Slower delivery, way too outside off. Shardul Thakur fails to reach and the umpire calls it a wide.

A full toss, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it to mid-wicket for one. Fifty for Ruturaj Gaikwad and he continues to impress in the UAE leg.

Slower delivery, on off. Ruturaj Gaikwad guides it to the third man region for a couple of runs.

Shardul Thakur has been propelled up the order and comes in at number 4.

Is that caught cleanly? The third umpire is called in action and he is now checking if Shreyas Iyer touched the rope or go over it with the ball in hand. The replay confirms that it's all good and OUT is what we can see on the big screen.

OUT! TAKEN! Tom Curran gets the breakthrough. Bangs in short and on middle, Robin Uthappa has an enormous swipe at it. The ball goes off the splice towards long on. Shreyas Iyer is stationed over there and he does take the catch. Axar Patel though comes running across to his left from deep mid-wicket and breezes past Shreyas Iyer. They do not collide but that makes Iyer lose his balance. Good presence of mind is shown by Shreyas though. He immediately tosses the ball up, crosses the rope and then returns to grab it back. The onfield umpire gets it checked upstairs and the replays confirm that it's neatly done by Shreyas. End of a fine knock from Uthappa, he has done his job. 60 needed off 39 balls and this game can open up from here.

Length ball, outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad drives the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller in length, outside off. Robin Uthappa looks to heave it away. The ball goes off the inside edge to short fine leg for a single. Avesh Khan has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Robin would have been a goner.

Strategic Time-Out! So, the equation is 62 from the last 7 overs and looking at how Robin Uthappa and Ruturaj Gaikwad are playing, Chennai should be able to chase it down without much fuss. Delhi, on the other hand, desperately need wickets if they want to keep the game alive. Tom Curran (2-0-10-0) comes back into the attack.

This one is again bowled from behind the bowling crease and on off. Uthappa eases it down to long off for one. It's Nelson for 1 and Chennai require 62 runs off 42 balls.

Ashwin bowls this one from behind the crease and lands it on middle. This one skids on and Gaikwad caresses it towards covers for a run.

A touch shorter, on off. Uthappa goes on the back foot and cuts it behind point for a single.

FOUR! Clean as a whistle! Ashwin tosses this one up and Robin Uthappa just dances down the track and hammers it over the bowler's head. This is dead straight and the fielders in the deep have no chance.

FOUR! Cheeky from Robin Uthappa and he is just keeping up the ante. Flatter one, on middle and Uthappa reverse-heaves it over short third man for a boundary.

Nopes. Gaikwad stays focused. This one is drifting onto the pads, Gaikwad works it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on. He pulls out before delivering the ball at the end moment. Did that last time also and Ruturaj had responded by pulling back. Will he do that again?

Rabada rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it at 118 kph. This is around off and Gaikwad steers it to third man for a single. A good comeback over from Kagiso.

A short ball, well outside off. Gaikwad looks to fetch this one and pull it away but ends up completely missing it.

Full and around off, Uthappa pushes it to the right of the bowler. Rabada dives in but can't cut it off. They get a single.

Robin Uthappa is down on the ground. Seems to have hurt his hamstring while taking off for the third run on the second ball of this ongoing over. The physio is out, having a look. He is up on his feet now. We are set to resume.

A low full toss at 140 kph, Uthappa is early into the shot and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.

Shortish ball, outside off. Gaikwad makes room and carves it over backward point. Hetmyer runs across from the point fence and the batters go for the third run. They make it comfortably, brilliant running and Pant seems a bit annoyed with the fielding.

Rabada gets it right in the blockhole at 142.4 kph. Ruturaj Gaikwad keeps it out.

Kagiso Rabada is brought back into the attack. He replaces Tom Curran.

A slider from Axar Patel, on middle. Robin Uthappa looks to flick but misses and the ball crashes into the pads. 13 off the over. 79 runs are required off 54 balls.

Flatter delivery, on middle. Gaikwad works it on the leg side and picks up a run.

A touch short and wide, Gaikwad taps it to cover-point.

FOUR! Patel goes full and straight now, Gaikwad swings through the line and thumps it back over the bowler's head for another boundary. That's straight as an arrow, no chance for the fielders in the deep.

SIX! Just over! Nicely flighted, and slower through the air. Ruturaj Gaikwad reaches for it and lifts it just over Kagiso Rabada at the long on fence for a biggie.

Axar Patel (2-0-10-0) comes back into the attack.

Fired in, on middle and leg. Gaikwad wrists it through mid-wicket for a couple. Good running yet again.

FIFTY! Slower delivery, well outside off and at 106.7 kph. Robin Uthappa slashes at it and gets it through cover for a couple. Brings up his fifty, off just 35 balls and what an impact he has had on this game so far! 92 needed more at the halfway mark.

Good looking shot for one. On top of off and swatted away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Shortish ball, well outside off stump. Gaikwad fetches it and taps it straight to point.

Length again, this time around off. Uthappa opens the face of his blade and guides it down to third man for another one.

Shortish delivery, on middle. Gaikwad heaves it down to deep mid-wicket for a run.

A length ball, on off. Uthappa pushes it down to long on for a run. Both Gaikwad and Uthappa look comfortable out there and are just looking to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Flatter one, on middle and leg. Uthappa flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for another one.

On the pads again and Gaikwad just dabs it down on the leg side for a single.

Slowed up, on the pads. Gaikwad just nudges it with soft hands towards the mid-wicket region and they race back for the second. Good running.

Slightly dragged down, on middle. Robin Uthappa rocks back and pulls it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket and gets a single.

Ruturaj Gaikwad almost walks past that one, cleverly bowled by Ashwin. Gaikwad steps out and Ashwin bowls it a little bit wider and slower. Gaikwad gets a leading edge towards covers and picks up a run.

Ravichandran Ashwin to operate now.

Sliding into the pads at 92.1 kph. Uthappa chips it towards long on for a single.

Slightly fuller and wider, Gaikwad dabs it down to short third man but can't get it past Kagiso Rabada over there.

On middle and Uthappa works it through mid-wicket. They look for two but settle for the single in the end.

Slower one at around 107 clicks, bowled from the back of the hand. This is on a length, outside off and deceives Robin Uthappa completely.

Curran hits the length hard and bowls it on the off stump line. Gaikwad looks to pull but mistimes it to deep square leg. They get another single.

Nicely played. Length again, around off and Uthappa just guides it to third man for a single.

Curran starts off with a length ball, well outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad swats it away towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Strategic Time-Out! A much-needed one for Delhi indeed. The players will now be able to take a breather. Such was an entertaining Powerplay from Chennai. Robin Uthappa just took off and didn't look back. He has powered Chennai to a brisk start and they will look to continue the momentum. Delhi would hope to get an early breakthrough after the break and put brakes on Chennai's innings. Tom Curran to bowl now. He is wearing a black armband as today is the death anniversary of his father.

Shortish ball, drifting onto the pads. Gaikwad tucks it behind the corner on the leg side and picks up a run. Axar Patel sneaks in another quiet over, just 5 from it.

Flatter delivery, on middle. Uthappa goes on the back foot and pushes it down the ground for a single.

Gaikwad uses his feet and eases it down to long on for another one.

Dragged down, on middle and Robin Uthappa will be disappointed. Uthappa pulls it hard but straight to deep backward square leg for a run.

Slowed up, on off and Gaikwad caresses it towards cover for a quick single. Tom Curran misfields and they get through easily.

Angled into the pads and Ruturaj Gaikwad can't get it away.

FOUR! Robin Uthappa has arrived for Chennai! What a shot and what a knock from him thus far. Full and outside off, Robin attacks the room and rifles it over mid off. 20 from the over, Chennai have raced to 59/1 at the end of the Powerplay. 114 needed off 84 balls.

SIX! Robin is on fire! Khan delivers it on a length and outside off at 133.4 kph, Uthappa stands tall, holds his shape nicely and bludgeons it down the ground over long on.

Back of a length, outside off, Robin tries to guide it past short third man but misses. He was looking to play the field there as that fielder was brought up after the boundary ball.

FOUR! Uthappa is looking in the mood. So refreshing to watch him bat in full flow. Slower delivery, full and around off, Robin picks it up and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! This one has been dismissed. Fuller in length, around off at 137 clicks, Uthappa gets on the front foot and smokes it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Avesh Khan (1-0-7-0) comes back into the attack.

Clever slower one, at 119 clicks and outside off, Uthappa tries to slog it across the line but is early into his shot.

Tossed up around middle, Gaikwad walks down the track and turns it off his pads. Finds square leg. Fine first over by Patel.

FOUR! Ruturaj Gaikwad gets one away! Floated one, full and around leg, Gaikwad steps back to make room and lofts it nonchalantly over cover-point for a boundary.

Quicker through the air, short and on middle, Uthappa pulls it to the left of short fine leg for a single.

Three dots now. Fuller and on off, it's driven back to the bowler.

Drags his length short and delivers it on middle, Uthappa goes back to pull but fails to pick the gap on the leg side.

Axar Patel comes into the attack now.

Flighted and full on off, Robin pushes it straight to extra cover.

Back of a length, close to off, Uthappa eases himself on the back foot and dabs it to third man for one. 14 from Rabada's first.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Very full and around leg at 145 clicks, Uthappa moves his back foot across and clips it neatly wide of short fine leg for a boundary.

Outside off, Gaikwad again uses the pace of the bowler and runs it down to third man for a single.

Full and around off, angling in with extra bounce, Uthappa pushes it defensively to covers. It's in the gap and they cross.

Shortish and outside off, guided down to third man for a single. Sensible.

SIX! Gaikwad was quiet for too long and decides to cut loose. A touch short and around off, at 139 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad advances down the track and towers it over the bowler's head for a biggie. He has knocked the stitches out of this one, with no respect whatsoever for a world-class bowler.

An early change in the bowling as Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack now.

Beaten on this occasion. Sharp delivery again, short and outside off at 141.9 kph, Robin Uthappa camps back and tries to play the upper-cut but misses. Two excellent overs from Anrich Nortje!

Spears in a full ball around off at 147.6 kph, Uthappa is forward as he flicks it on the leg side. Finds short mid-wicket.

Short and wide outside off at 144 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad is not trying to pull so far, just stays back and deflects it down to third man for one.

Well played! On a length and around off at 140.1 kph, Robin opens the face of his bat and guides it to third man for a single.

A length ball, around middle and leg at 146.8 kph, Uthappa picks it off his pads and tucks it through square leg for a couple of runs. He is looking a lot better in this innings.

On target, full and around off at 147.7 kph, Uthappa pushes it down to mid off and shouts 'wait in' and then no.

Angling in around off, on a fuller length, Uthappa pushes it with soft hands to mid on and pinches a single. 8 from the over!

Slower one, full and outside off at 122 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad is deceived a bit as the bat turns in his hands. It takes the inner edge and dribbles to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mishit! Fullish and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his feet but yorks himself. He digs it out from the toe end of his bat to mid off.

On a length, around middle and leg, Robin tries to work it on the leg side but misses. It goes off his pads to mid-wicket and they cross for a leg bye.

Full and around off, Uthappa blocks it strongly to covers.

FOUR! Deft! A touch short in length and outside off, Robin Uthappa stays on the back foot and at the last moment, he guides it fine down to third man for a boundary.

Wide! Full but down the leg side, Uthappa tries to flick but misses.

Avesh Khan to steam in from the other end.

At 142.9 kph, Nortje fires it in on middle, fuller in length, Robin pushes it with gentle hands to mid-wicket and picks up a run. Eventful first over from Anrich Nortje!

FOUR! A confidence-boosting boundary for Robin Uthappa. Full and around off, at 148.8 kph, Uthappa leans into the drive and plays a sublime shot through covers for a boundary.

Robin Uthappa is called early into action. He is in at number 3.

OUT! STUMPS SHATTERED! That's a snorter from Anrich Nortje, at 147.5 kph. He hurls it in the line of the stumps, du Plessis stays rooted inside the crease as he attempts to work it on the leg side. The ball lands, skids on at a brisk pace, beats the inside half of his bat and cannons onto the stumps. Anrich Nortje is all pumped up, a perfect start for Delhi!

Full and sharp, around leg, it's nudged down to fine leg for a single.

A brisk run and Faf du Plessis also gets off the mark. Fuller and on middle, at 147.6 kph, du Plessis stays deep inside the crease and bunts it towards mid on for a run.

Chennai are away! Anrich Nortje begins with a shortish delivery just outside off, at 145 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it down to third man and opens his account.

Excellent bowling! Very full, on middle and Pant can't get under it. He drills it down the ground to long on and they race back for the second. The skipper gets his fifty as well in the end. Delhi finish with 172/5!

Another full and wide one, Pant creams it towards sweeper cover and Faf du Plessis is a bit sluggish in getting to it. This allows Pant to come back for the second with ease.

FOUR! Edgy boundary but Pant won't mind as he moves to 47 with that. Very full and outside off. Pant looks to crunch it through covers but gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball racesaway to the fine leg fence.

Third dot on the trot in the final over! Very full, around off and Pant thumps it to covers but finds the fielder inside the circle.

Full and wide, Thakur gets it perfectly well inside the tramline. Pant can't get to it and it's another dot ball.

Pant couldn't make up his mind in time as to which shot to play. A slower delivery, around off. Pant looks to lap it over the keeper but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Shardul Thakur to bowl the final over.

Brilliant yorker from Bravo, right on the money. Tom Curran can't do much about it apart from digging it out. As we say, it all happens in the 19th over. 11 runs and a wicket from it.

Fullish ball, on off and at just 99.8 kph. Pant heaves it down to long off for a single.

Tom Curran is the next batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dwayne Bravo has his man but probably the damage is already done. Bravo bangs in a short one, on off and angling across the left-hander. Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and looks to pull on the leg side. He ends up skying it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Ravindra Jadeja settles under it and takes a fine catch. Shimron Hetmyer has to depart after stitching a crucial partnership.

Just over. On off and Hetmyer just manages to clear Moeen Ali at mid off with his lofted shot. They race back for the second as the fielder cuts it off around the wide long off fence.

Where has the bat gone? Pant has lost the bat completely but gets the connection alright. The bat flies to the leg side, the ball gets lofted to deep cover. Deepak Chahar tries his best to catch it in the deep, by diving forward, but it falls marginally short. Chahar does well to prevent the boundary.  Only a run in the end.

SIX! Another one-handed shot. Bravo looks for the blockhole but misses and Rishabh Pant takes full advantage. Pant gets enough on it yet again and the ball just sails over the long off fence. Maximum.

WIDE! That is a poor delivery from Dwayne Bravo. This is pushed way outside the off stump line and Pant leaves it alone. Wided.

Very full, on off. Pant bunts it out on the off side and sets off for a quick run. 12 off the over, 39 in the last three.

Aerial but safe! Full and wide from Hazlewood. Pant throws his bat at it but doesn't time it perfectly. The ball drops in no man's land at sweeper cover. The fielder cuts it off, keeping it to a couple.

Pant tries to be cheeky but misses. Outside off and Pant looks to reverse-scoop it over the keeper's head but fails to connect.

FOUR! A length ball, on off and around 142 kph. Rishabh Pant just whips it and the ball races to the left of the long on fielder, into the fence. 150 comes up!

Full again, outside off. Hetmyer gets it through cover-point for a single.

Josh Hazlewood (3-0-17-2) comes back into the attack.

FOUR! Full, on off. Shimron Hetmyer has nailed this one right back over the bowler's head for yet another boundary. Delhi are in ascendancy now!

FOUR! A streaky boundary for Rishabh Pant. Fullish ball, outside off. Pant throws his bat at it as he looks to go over covers. Pant gets a thick outside edge and it flies wide of Dhoni for a boundary at third man.

Full and straight, Hetmyer forces it through extra cover for a single.

WIDE! Pushed well wide outside off and this one is outside the tramline. Wided.

Bravo gets in the yorker at leg stump. Pant gets a bit squared up as he looks to flick. The ball goes off the leading edge towards short third man. Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and saves a certain boundary. One run taken.

Very full, on off. Hetmyer pushes it down to long off for a single. Good batting, rotating the strike right after the boundary.

FOUR! Seam up from Bravo and this is short and wide. Shimron Hetmyer stands his ground and pulls it powerfully to the cow corner fence. The 50-run stand comes up!

Bravo sees Pant advancing and fires in a full and wide one. Pant manages to reach it and gets it through cover-point. They take a single.

Thakur does get it full and wide this time but inside the guideline. Pant squeezes it to deep point for a single. 14 off the over.

Strategic Time-Out! Chennai bowled reasonably well in the last few overs but now Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer are looking to attack more. This pair is set and Delhi would be hoping for some fireworks at the death. How many runs can they add more to Delhi's total from here on?

WIDE! Thakur doesn't want to bowl into Pant's arc and understandably goes full and wide. This is just outside the tramline though. Pant leaves. Wided.

Thakur hits the length hard and Hetmyer looks to pull. The ball hurries onto him a bit and Hetmyer inside edges it towards short mid-wicket. They scamper through for a run.

Full and wide, Pant crunches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Short and wide, Pant throws his bat at it and picks up a brace as the ball races towards deep backward point.

SIX! How has that gone the distance? A full toss, on off. Rishabh Pant looks to fetch it and whack it across but his one hand comes off the bat. The ball still goes high and handsome over the cow corner fence. Unreal!

A length ball, on middle and leg. Hetmyer swings across the line but mistimes it to wide long on. They get a single.

WIDE! Thakur bangs in a short one on middle, a bit too high. Wided.

Shardul Thakur comes back on.

A length ball, around off. Hetmyer caresses it through cover-point for a run.

Slower delivery, just 102.5 kph and on leg stump. Hetmyer blocks it out.

FOUR! Seam up from Bravo and it's very full, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer opens the face of the bat and guides it to the third man fence.

On the pads and this is tucked away to deep square leg for one.

In the slot, on off. Pant can't get under it and hits it straight to mid off.

A length ball, on middle and leg, asking Shimron Hetmyer to hit towards the longer side of the ground. Shimron swings it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Dwayne Bravo is introduced into the attack.

Slowed up and on off. Pant defends it out. 11 off the over, a good one for Delhi. 4-0-27-1, despite an expensive last over, Moeen finishes with brilliant figures.

WIDE! A quicker delivery fired in down the leg side. Pant misses the flick and a wide is signalled by the umpire.

Sliding down the leg side and this is flicked to deep backward square leg for another one.

On the pads and Pant goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

Flatter delivery, on off, Shimron eases it down to long off for a single.

SIX! Bang! This is dragged down from Moeen Ali. Shimron Hetmyer rocks back and gets enough power on it to clear the mid-wicket fence and it's a welcome biggie for Delhi. 100 up!

On middle and Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. Jadeja runs across to his left in the deep and fires in a rocket throw to the keeper. Pant wanted one more run but Shimron Hetmyer showed his back.

Length ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant taps it towards backward point for a single. A good comeback over from Deepak Chahar.

Short of a length, on middle and staying low. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it towards deep square leg. He rotates the strike by picking up a single.

Fuller in length, on off. Shimron Hetmyer defends it to mid-wicket.

WIDE! Attempted short ball, way too outside off. Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone. Wided.

Length ball, on off. Rishabh Pant tucks it to mid-wicket. Deepak Chahar quickly runs to that side and collects the ball. Keeps it down to a single.

Short ball, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer mistimes his pull to deep square leg for a single.

Deepak Chahar (2-0-20-0) has been brought back into the attack.

Length ball, on middle and leg. Rishabh Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer plays it straight to extra cover on this occasion. Another tidy over from the offie.

Tosses it up, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drives the ball down the ground to wide long off for another couple of runs.

Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for a couple of runs.

Short and outside off, Rishabh Pant pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and on off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

Full and on middle, pushed down to long on for a run.

Flatter ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant nudges it on the leg side for a single. Top over from Jadeja!

Plenty of confusion between the batters but no harm done in the end! Full and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it in front of square leg and crosses for a run. Moeen Ali there misfields and then throws the ball in the middle of the pitch. Both the batters think for the second run as the backup fielder misfields this time but ultimately they decide against taking any risk. After all the drama, it's just one run added to Delhi's total.

Fraction short yet again, outside off. Rishabh Pant cuts it towards sweeper cover for one.

Short and outside off. Rishabh Pant pushes it back to the bowler.

Shimron Hetmyer comes in to bat with Delhi on the back foot.

OUT! TAKEN! You cannot keep Ravindra Jadeja out of the game, can you? He always delivers for his team, be it with the ball, bat, or in the field. This time he bags a wicket and removes the dangerous Prithvi Shaw. Jadeja tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw makes room for himself and plays an inside-out shot. He gets enough contact but just not enough to clear the ropes. Faf du Plessis at long off runs to his left and completes the catch with a perfectly-timed slide. A superb catch from him and Prithvi Shaw has to walk back to the pavilion.

Flatter ball, on off. Rishabh Pant works it to long on. He crosses ends.

Risky run! Slower and outside off, Rishabh Pant pushes it towards covers for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had the ball hit the stumps, Rishabh Pant was a goner!

Tosses it up, on middle. Prithvi Shaw knocks it down to long on for a single.

The skipper, Rishabh Pant comes in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! Moeen Ali gets the breakthrough. The idea of promoting Axar Patel up the order doesn't work. Moeen Ali drops the ball short and outside off, Axar Patel goes on the back foot and tries to pull. The ball though goes off the top edge towards long on. The substitute fielder, Mitchell Santner, settles himself under it and grabs the ball without any fuss.

Fuller, on middle. Prithvi Shaw eases it down to long on for a run.

Floats it up, on middle. Axar Patel smashes it off the back foot towards long on for a single.

Tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw goes back and drops the ball on the leg side for a single.

Strategic Time-Out! Wow! It has been a fascinating first nine overs here. Prithvi Shaw looked edgy at the start but has brought up a classy half-century and has kept Delhi on the front foot. For Chennai, it has been Josh Hazlewood who has been the star, as he has sent two experienced batters back in the hut. Will Shaw keep up the good work or will the spinners of Chennai make some inroads?

Full and around off, Axar Patel pushes it back to the bowler. 10 from this over.

Slower delivery, on middle. Prithvi Shaw works it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Beautifully played! Very full and on the stumps, Prithvi Shaw gets down on one knee and belts that one between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Ravindra Jadeja again bowls it short, outside off. Prithvi Shaw cuts it but chops it straight to short third man.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw sits deep in his crease and carves it through backward point for a boundary. He reaches his fifty as well. What an attacking display it has been from the youngster so far!

Outside off, Axar Patel punches it down to long on for a single.

Slower through the air, on middle. Axar Patel stays deep in the crease and works it through mid-wicket for a single. A tidy over from Moeen Ali. Only 4 runs from it.

Flighted ball, on off. Prithvi Shaw eases it towards long on for a run.

Full and on off, Prithvi Shaw knocks it back to the bowler.

Flighted delivery, around off. Axar Patel works it down to long off for another single.

Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw pushes the ball towards covers for a single.

Loopy ball, on middle. Prithvi Shaw defends it to mid-wicket off the front foot.

Spin from both ends as Moeen Ali is brought into the attack now.

On middle, Prithvi Shaw tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Flatter delivery, on middle. Axar Patel tries to work it on the leg side. He gets a leading edge to cover-point and the batters pick up a single.

FOUR! Full and wide, outside off. Axar Patel slices that one over point. Dwayne Bravo runs to his left to stop the ball but misfields and allows the ball to go over the ropes. A boundary.

Tad short from Ravindra Jadeja, outside off. Prithvi Shaw nudges it to mid-wicket for a run.

Quicker delivery, outside off, at 93.4 kph. Axar Patel works it to long off for one.

Flatter ball, angling on the pads. Prithvi Shaw works it to short fine leg for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja comes on to bowl now.

Around middle and off, on a length, Patel works it to mid-wicket but not in the gap. Another excellent over from the Aussie. Just 1 run and a wicket from it. At the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 51/2.

On a length around middle, played out from the crease to the leg side.

Fuller and outside off, Shaw drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.

Axar Patel has been promoted up the order and comes in at number 4.

OUT! Second wicket for Josh Hazlewood as Shreyas Iyer is CAUGHT! Another delivery is angled on middle and leg at 136.8 kph, sliding down further, Shreyas Iyer tries to flick but closes the face of his bat early. The leading edge flies towards covers, Ruturaj Gaikwad moves across to his right from point, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes the skier safely.

Chance of a run out, missed. Angling into the batsman, Shreyas helps it off his pads to square leg and looks for a run. He is mid-way down the track but is sent back. Iyer slips a bit as he turns but reaches safely as Moeen misses his shy at the striker's end.

Shortish and on middle, worked on the leg side but not in the gap.

PUT DOWN! A very tough chance but MS Dhoni would be disappointed with himself. Slower delivery, short and wide outside off, Shaw tries to play the ramp shot but it takes the toe end of the bat and flies behind. Dhoni dives across to his right but only manages to get his fingertips on it. He deflects it to short third man. Has stopped a certain boundary.

SIX! Dismissed with a straight bat. Quality strike from the young man. Fuller and around off, Prithvi Shaw shows tremendous bat speed as he launches it behind the bowler for a biggie. 50 up!

Play and a miss! Fuller and wider outside off, Shaw chases but misses.

Fantastic stop by Ravindra Jadeja! Short in length and wide outside off, Iyer cracks it off his back foot to backward point. Jadeja dives across to his right and takes the pace off the ball. He parries it to point and they cross for a run.

On a length around middle, Shaw closes the face of his bat and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Here comes the first change in bowling. Shardul Thakur comes in to replace Deepak Chahar.

SIX! Prithvi Shaw has nailed it! A touch short in length outside off, Shaw attacks it with all his might and dismisses it all the way over deep mid-wicket. Prithvi Shaw will continue to play his shots, that's his role.

Bowls it on a length and in the line of the stumps, Iyers steps back to make room but pushes it towards point. Great over from Josh Hazlewood, 4 runs and a wicket from it.

Pitches it up and outside off, Shreyas drives it through the line. The cover fielder misses it as he dives but Faf du Plessis has it covered, after running across to his left from mid off.

Full and around off, angling in at 140.4 kph, Iyer defends it back to the bowler.

On a length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat at number 3. A slip in place.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Josh Hazlewood responds with a wicket, a big scalp for Chennai as Dhawan departs. Hazlewood shows that the Test-match length can work in T20s as well. Puts it on a good length around off, gets it to nip away a shade at 144.7 kph, Dhawan is caught on the back foot as he tries to push it through the line. A thick outside edge gets generated and Dhoni does the rest behind the wickets.

FOUR! Dhawan joins the fun. Fuller in length and on middle, Shikhar walks down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

FOUR! Very poor from Chahar. Offers width outside off, short in length, Shaw latches onto it and whacks it through backward point for yet another boundary. 17 from the over and Delhi are off to a flying start in Qualifier 1.

FOUR! Boundaries are flowing from the bat of Shaw. The line from Chahar is quite ordinary. It's on a length around middle and leg, at 118 kph, Shaw glances it behind square leg and beats the chasing short fine leg fielder.

Chahar pitches it up and around off, Shaw plays a mistimed on drive to mid on.

FOUR! Sweetly timed. This one is right from the middle of the bat. Fractionally short and around off, Prithvi Shaw rocks on the back foot and punches it through point for a boundary.

FOUR! Prithvi Shaw is the master of edges this evening. Back of a length, around off, Prithvi Shaw stays back to smash it over the leg side but drags it off the inner edge past short fine leg. Another boundary.

Slower and short around off at 118.7 kph, Dhawan hangs back and taps it down to cover-point for a run. A nice approach, Dhawan will accumulate runs and Shaw will attack.

SIX! Another edgy shot and this one has gone the distance. Short and around leg, angling down at 132 clicks, Prithvi Shaw swivels to pull but top-edges it behind the keeper for a biggie. Nothing wrong in the over from Josh Hazlewood but still he has conceded 12 runs.

It's served on a good length, around middle at 139.6 kph, Dhawan walks across the stumps and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Josh Hazlewood hits the deck hard and clocks 132.9 kph, it's on a length around off and Shaw drops it with gentle hands towards mid-wicket. They pinch a quick single.

FOUR! Off the top edge! A 141 kph short delivery outside off, Prithvi Shaw again tries to pull from the back foot but this time it grabs the top edge and flies behind the keeper for a boundary.

Big shot attempted but it's not in the gap. Back of a length and outside off, at 144 kph, Prithvi Shaw tries to pull but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood is quite straight with his line first up, on a length, Prithvi Shaw flicks it on the leg side but finds the fielder inside the ring at mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to steam in from the other end.

3 runs from the opening over! Around off on a length, Shaw turns inside the crease and works it to deep mid-wicket. There is a fielder manning that region and hence only a run.

Dhawan is off the mark now! Chahar delivers it on a length around middle, Dhawan eases it towards square leg and scampers across to the other end.

Chahar goes very full and wide outside off and gets away with a bad ball. Dhawan drives square of the wicket but finds the point fielder.

On a good length, around middle and off, Dhawan sticks back inside the crease and plays it down towards backward point.

Back of a length, on middle, Shaw stays back and wrists it in front of square leg for a run. Delhi are underway.

Starts with a slightly short delivery, around off and moving away, Shaw punches from the back foot but finds the fielder at cover-point.

We are ready for play. The umpires stride out to the middle followed by the players of Chennai. Out come the openers for Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Deepak Chahar has the new ball in hand. Here we go... Hang on, Deepak probably loses his run-up and pulls out. Take 2!

Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they have batted first enough to be able to go out and set a target but if given the choice, he would have bowled first as well. Admits that he is a bit nervous. He mentions that there is one change in the XI with Tom Curran coming in for Ripal Patel. Adds that when you play one team again and again and get a few wins on the trot, it helps your confidence but they cannot take this match lightly.

MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai, says that in whatever games they have played so far at this venue, they feel it helps the bowlers as it stops a bit initially but adds that it no way eases out a lot and it is still a tough wicket with no exact pattern. About the mentality to play the playoffs, MS Dhoni replies that they try to keep things simple irrespective of whether it is a playoff match or any other one and adds that they just try to analyze where they can improve. Informs that Chennai are UNCHANGED.

Delhi (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Tom Curran (In for Ripal Patel), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

TOSS - Both the captains are out in the middle. Pant flips the coin and Dhoni calls correctly. Chennai have elected to BOWL first.

Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa and Matthew Hayden are the pitch inspectors for the evening. The former starts by informing that the square boundaries are shorter on one side and longer on the other. Hayden reckons that this surface is looking better than the one where Delhi faced Bangalore in the last league match. Mentions that there is less grass and it is dry. Reckons that the cracks haven't come into play because this is only the third time that this pitch is being used. Adds that 160 is the par score. Ends by saying that it's a good surface to bat on.

7/10 - Dubai has been a venue for the chasers in this edition. Seven teams have won batting second in the last ten night games and dew often plays a factor. Toss is going to be crucial!

Over the years, Delhi were criticized for being inconsistent and often were the punching bags for other teams. Things though have changed drastically in the last few editions. They finished third in 2019, second in 2020 and are the table-toppers in the ongoing season. The graph of Delhi has steadily gone up and their aim this time would be to go the distance and taste glory. Against Chennai, they're on a roll, winning the last four matches, and it's no mean feat to achieve. Another stat though suggests that Delhi have faltered twice against Chennai in the playoffs. Can they overcome this mental block today?

Chennai are following an unwanted 3-match losing streak and that's the most common point mentioned in the build-up to this game. That's true but one can't really judge Chennai's form based on the last few games. They're the 3-time champions and the point worth remembering is that Chennai unlock their beast mode in the playoffs. Hence it's needless to read too much into their last three defeats. As Dhoni had said, they need to fine-tune a few areas before the playoffs and expect them to do that in this high stake match.

Hello and a warm welcome to everyone for the coverage of Qualifier 1 between Delhi and Chennai in Dubai. It's been a blockbuster season so far, full of fun and drama, and we're expecting the climax to be equally exciting. Eight teams have been trimmed down to four and the top two are going to lock horns this evening. There's nothing much to differentiate between the two teams and let's hope for a close contest. So, pick your favourite and enjoy the ride.

... MATCH DAY ...