Dubai: Powered by a brilliant half-century by Prithvi Shaw (60, 34b, 7×4, 3×6) and some brilliant hitting by Shimron Hetmyer (37, 24b, 3×4, 1×6) and skipper Rishabh Pant (51 no, 35b, 3×4, 2×6) helped Delhi Capitals (DC) put up an imposing 172 for the loss of five wickets in the first qualifier of IPL-2021 here Sunday against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The batting effort came after the Kings put DC into bat with captain MS Dhoni winning the toss.
In what has been titled as the ‘battle between the guru (Dhoni) and his protégé (Pant)’, it seems that the first round has gone to the latter. It will take some batting by CSK to overhaul the target as DC have bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in their ranks.
After Shaw gave DC the perfect start, it was Pant and Hetmyer who consolidated the innings with some thrilling stroke-play. In the process, they put on 83 runs for the fifth wicket to place their side on a firm pedestal.
Opening the innings, Shaw was at his fluent best driving the ball on the up to repeatedly pierce the field. In spite of losing Shikhar Dhawan (7), Shreyas Iyer (1) and Axar Patel (10) cheaply, DC were able to maintain the momentum because of Shaw’s batting histrionics. Later on it was Pant and Hetmyer who put up a scintillating show after DC were reduced to 80 for four.
For the Kings, pacer Josh Hazlewood (2/29) was the pick of the bowlers All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali picked up a wicket apiece. However, Dwayne Bravo and Shardul Thakur proved to be a bit expensive going for more than 10 runs per over.
Brief scores: DC 172 for 5 (Prithvi Shaw 60, Rishabh Pant 51 n o, Josh Hazlewood 2/29) vs CSK. Match to continue.
