MS Dhoni said the nature of the Arun Jaitley stadium wicket surprised him as Chennai Super Kings won their 11th game out of 15 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Chennai Super Kings continued their domination of Sunrisers Hyderabad as they won their 11th game out of 15 in the IPL. In the clash at the Arun Jaitley stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad put on 171/3. David Warner smashed his 50th fifty but struggled for timing and momentum. Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey played aggressive knocks, with 44 runs coming in the last three overs. However, Chennai Super Kings were boosted by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 75 and his 129-run opening stand with Faf du Plessis. Gaikwad’s highest IPL score helped Chennai Super Kings win by seven wickets as they stayed on top of the table. Sunrisers, on the other hand, stayed at the bottom.
Speaking after the end of the match, Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni said he was surprised by the nature of the wicket at the Arun Jaitley stadium. “The batting was superb. But that doesn’t mean the bowling was not good. It was a surprisingly good wicket. Whenever we come to Delhi we never expect a wicket like this. It was coming on nicely, there was nothing for the spinners as well. Good thing was there was no dew. Last night, we felt 170 was just below par if there’s no dew,” Dhoni said.
Ravindra Jadeja has been in fine form in IPL 2021. In the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he smashed 62 off 28 balls which included 37 runs in the last over bowled by Harshal Patel. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jadeja took the vital catch of Warner and conceded 23 runs in three overs. Jadeja and Suresh Raina stayed till the end to guide Chennai Super Kings to the win.
Du Plessis, who hit another fifty and shared a partnership of 129 with Gaikwad, hailed the importance of Ravindra Jadeja in the team. “The biggest change we’ve got is a bit more balance in the squad and the guys are putting their hand up as well. But there is definitely more depth. I am disappointed, haven’t been getting many catches. Jaddu has been stealing the show, he’s the superman at the moment, but happy to grab one tonight,” du Plessis said.
Du Plessis is now the Orange Cap holder, scoring 270 runs with three fifties at an average of 67. The South African batsman is saying his partnership with Gaikwad is working well. “I think the partnership with myself and Rutu has been pretty productive. If you can start well in T20s, and with our batting lineup, it’s a very good sign. I went back to try and make sure my basics were good. I looked at what was the thing I did well last year and have been doing the same this year. One or two tweaks were made from last season to this season. It was a pretty good wicket. 170 was a touch under what they needed to get. 190 would’ve been a good score. But when you start quick like that, the rest of the innings plays out comfortably,” du Plessis said.
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